Extra endurance (4)

Waking up to reality

The actor-comedian Wang Baoqiang is a legend among extras. In 2002, he was "discovered" by director Li Yang in the lines outside of Beijing Film Studio, and given the chance to act in the film Blind Shaft (2003). That role brought him a Best New Performer prize at the 2003 Golden Horse Awards, and marked the start of his career.

This kind of Cinderella story is what gives extras the energy to wait. For the past few weeks, Xu has not been at Beijing Film Studio at all. Instead, he was waiting outside a film company, hoping to give his suggestions to the company's CEO.

"I have been writing my personal thoughts on the film industry for a long time and I wanted to present them to someone important. Then one day I saw the CEO of that company on TV. He seemed like an open-minded man, so I thought I'd give it a try," Xu recalled.

For 20 days, Xu stood outside the company's parking lot, waiting for the CEO's car. He saluted the car every time it passed, but it never stopped.

Finally, one day, the car stopped. The CEO's driver asked Xu what he wanted.

"I was beyond excited! I gave him all my material and told myself my time had come," Xu said.

"Later that day, the driver gave me a note, which read: 'Thank you for your suggestions about our company and the film industry. I sincerely hope that you can attend art school to get professional training. I wish you good luck." A self-mocking smile appeared on Xu's lips as he told us the story.

"I will wait here until the end of next week. Then I might find a job to feed myself. Maybe I'll quit the life of an extra," Xu murmured.

Still, Xu's situation is enviable when compared to others. Purchasing the train ticket to Beijing cost Hu all of his savings and he has no place to sleep. "On my previous trips to Beijing, I used to stay with my friend but this time he refused to answer my call," said Hu. "I will probably sleep in KFC, or on the staircase of some residential compound. I've done that lots of times before."

"This probably will be my last time trying to get work as an extra. I know my disadvantages: I am less educated and don't actually know much about performing.

But I will stay here in Beijing. I'll find a position that I'm suited for, and make a living here," said Hu.

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