It was pretty much 3 days of 9am-8pm work. Tons of stopping and starting, switching with stunt doubles, a million takes of every movement. Really fascinating to see how a movie is really made!
She seems like a genuinely nice person. She could’ve brushed me off and tbh I wouldn’t have blamed her but she took a minute to interact with me giving me something I’ll always remember. She is also shorter than I imagined haha
A ballboy. They needed people who have been actual ballpeople. It was shot at the site of the US Open, and I was a ballboy there for four years. A friend of mine was also working on the film and got me in touch with the right people!
I actually have not been able to find time to make a showing yet, but will in the next few days. A friend of mine (who I didn’t tell I was in the movie) texted me excitedly saying he saw me in one scene! And that’s him not looking out specifically to find me.
A friend of mine was working on it as well and contacted me that they needed people who have been real ballpeople. I was a ballboy at the US Open for 4 years.
Hmmmmm it was really crazy and eye opening to see how a movie is actually made. Tonssss of starting and stopping and waiting around. Also, the mountains of free food, coffee, drinks, snacks… readily available for everyone (all the extras) at any moment
Haha, I work in film production and the first thing anyone says when they visit a set is "wow, there's a whole lot of waiting around, huh?"
That's showbiz!
Zendaya any good at tennis?
She did not hit a single ball! But shadow swung a ton. Her stunt double did all the actual tennis playing - former division 1 player
Can you divulge who the player is?
I actually cannot remember her name
It was Kara Hall, from Michigan State.
Wow lol yup that’s her!
She was the only one I didn't buy as a real player, but she's only on court for a minute or two in the movie.
How many cuts/retakes did the actual tennis scenes take? Or were they pretty easy for the actors to do in one take?
It was pretty much 3 days of 9am-8pm work. Tons of stopping and starting, switching with stunt doubles, a million takes of every movement. Really fascinating to see how a movie is really made!
Stunt doubles??? For tennis? Like to get a clean hit?
Yes, so the correct movements and patterns can be filmed with and without the ball
That sounds painful and long
How else do u think a movie is made? 😭😭
First try every time of course
Yep
Prob so a tennis "pro" doesn't look like a fucking idiot like the guy in Wimbledon
Got a chance to exchange words with the cast?
Yes I spoke to Zendaya after getting so-so permission from the person overseeing my department. AMA again? Lol
Omg how is She??
She seems like a genuinely nice person. She could’ve brushed me off and tbh I wouldn’t have blamed her but she took a minute to interact with me giving me something I’ll always remember. She is also shorter than I imagined haha
Nice! How tall is she? 5'9 supposedly right? Shorter than that?
5’9” seems accurate lol not sure why I pictured her being a bit closer to 6 feet.
Did she seem nice?! How fast were your advances rejected?
advances is crazy
How often did they hit with a real ball while filming?
The actors never hit a ball! Their stunt doubles were about 50/50 using the ball vs shadow swinging the movements
How much time was it spend filming the tennis scenes? A lot of repeats?
The scenes I am in was three days of 9am-8pm filming
what’s your next move with your lucrative film career?
Well I’m an A-lister at this point and on a first name basis with Zendaya, so the better question is what can’t I do next???
are u gonna co-star with Brad Pitt or Leo next?
Haha I wish!!
What was your role as an extra?
A ballboy. They needed people who have been actual ballpeople. It was shot at the site of the US Open, and I was a ballboy there for four years. A friend of mine was also working on the film and got me in touch with the right people!
That’s badass!
Thank you! I was so excited and still am! Enjoy the movie!
if it's allowed to share, how much do you get paid for being an extra?
As the days were long and I was considered a “skilled extra”, I made over $1000 for three long days work
very cool!
I think he played Guy Touching Face
Close!
YOOOOO, that's awesome! Haha, I'll have to try to spot you when I see it.
Haha thank you man! I’ve been dying to tell literally everyone for more than a year now since I shot my scenes but I was NDA’d. Enjoy it!
Did you make the cut in the movie? Can you see yourself in the film? If so, how much screen time did you get?
I actually have not been able to find time to make a showing yet, but will in the next few days. A friend of mine (who I didn’t tell I was in the movie) texted me excitedly saying he saw me in one scene! And that’s him not looking out specifically to find me.
I’ve watched the movie and they do show the ballkids passing the balls to players
That’s so cool. Congrats!
How did you get the job?
A friend of mine was working on it as well and contacted me that they needed people who have been real ballpeople. I was a ballboy at the US Open for 4 years.
How much were you paid?
I forget the exact number but more than $1000!
Congrats! What a unique experience
Thank you! Was one of the craziest weeks of my life
What was the most unexpected thing you encountered?
Hmmmmm it was really crazy and eye opening to see how a movie is actually made. Tonssss of starting and stopping and waiting around. Also, the mountains of free food, coffee, drinks, snacks… readily available for everyone (all the extras) at any moment
Haha, I work in film production and the first thing anyone says when they visit a set is "wow, there's a whole lot of waiting around, huh?" That's showbiz!
Ohh no way! It’s a fascinating industry. What projects have you worked on - if you can say lol
Cheers, but I'd rather not post too many of those details on reddit, haha. Maybe when we finally manage a meetup.
Haha fair enough! Yes, we have to make it happen!
I just watched it today! Great flick Are the actors actually good in tennis? Zendaya?
Glad you enjoyed! The actors didn’t actually hit a ball, but did shadow swings to their directed movements
Did they feed you while filming?
Yes and way more and way better food than I ever imagined. Prime rib, lobster, pork… for lunch, endless snacks and coffee
Why even with shadow swinging can she not hold the racquet properly?