Acting Out

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a television set or what it’s like to be a movie extra?

How about show-biz lingo for behind-the-scenes jobs? What is a first AD, anyway? And what does a key grip do? And is it different from a best boy?

Through Nov. 16, you can find out. The public is invited to see the inner workings of the entertainment business without the frustration of sitting around a set all day.

In fact, none of it is real; it isn’t even happening on a movie set. It is a theatrical project at Theatre East in Studio City.

Called “A Night at the Movies,” the project is the brainchild of actor-theatrical producer Alan Woolf, who refers to it as a “lab experiment.” Theatre East actors go on stage pretending to make screen tests in scenes from popular movies with love themes.

The weekend sessions are free and open to the public. The fun part is that members of the audience are treated as extras or “atmosphere,” as they say in Hollywood.

Although it’s all pretend, with nothing really being taped, it offers a peek at a side of the industry that the public rarely sees.

Upon arrival, a crew member asks your call time, then walks you and other “extras” through the backstage. The actors try to make it seem as authentic as possible. You’re there as an extra, and the show is about to go on.

“We treat them the way extras are really treated,” Woolf said. “It gives them the feeling they’re really involved.”

After participants are seated in the cozy 95-seat theater, a crew member, with clipboard in hand and headset firmly placed over his ear, delivers an authentic orientation.

“The most important thing to know is when to shut up,” he says. “When we say ‘action!’ don’t move, don’t talk and don’t breathe!”

He glances at his clipboard, adjusts his headset and continues: “We’ve put a lot of money into this production. Also, please remember actors have very fragile egos.”

Then Woolf, who is also the supervising director, takes the stage for a few brief words. He tells the soon-to-be extras that the first scene is a rehearsal for a later taping but several other scenes will be taped live. Shortly thereafter, two actors take the stage and the show begins.

Each of the sessions features 10 scenes that are about 15 minutes long and require the participation of about 22 actors.

“No two acts are the same,” Woolf said. “If you came back on other nights, you’d see something different each time.”

On this Sunday afternoon, the entertainment includes short takes from “Raising Arizona,” “Witches of Eastwick,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Passion Fish” and “Annie Hall.”

Elnor Eggart of North Hollywood said she had a blast.

“If you’ve never worked on a set, it’s a great way to see what goes on behind the scenes,” she said. “It’s great fun to see what happens backstage.”

But Woolf, who has acted in 200 off-Broadway productions and directed 50, was thinking more about actors than audience members when he created the project.

“We’re trying to get as many actors energized as we can,” he said. “This is to motivate them.”

So he came up with a plan in which the company’s 70 members could play scenes from their favorite movies. Each actor gets to pick a scene and the only requirement is that the films have love themes.

Adding audience participation into the mix seemed like a great way to get the public involved. And by the way, when you’re on the set you’ll find out that a first AD is a first assistant director, a key grip facilitates camera movement, and a best boy assists the key grip.

“People love movies, and actors love movies, so I figured the response from both sides would be good,” Woolf said.

Besides regular work on TV sitcoms, Woolf played the Russian president in the movie “Air Force One,” starring Harrison Ford. He will appear in a Francis Ford Coppola movie called “Rain Maker,” scheduled for release at the end of the month.

Theater, however, is still Woolf’s favorite place to work. He became involved with Theatre East 12 years ago when he moved here from New York. Lately, he likes experimenting with projects that have the potential to stimulate actors. “Hopefully this will work,” he said. “At the very least, we’ll have lots of fun doing it.”

BE THERE

Theatre East, 12655 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. “A Night at the Movies,” Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. through Nov. 16. Admission is free. Information: 760-4160.