I worked a few days recently as an extra, or "background talent," on some TV film sets. Mostly as a lark, out of curiosity, for a little money, but also to do some exploring.

I think I've retired. I did get inside some buildings not normally open to the public, but while there for the job, I found it hard to sneak away and snoop around. That is to say, it would have been easy, but I felt duty-bound to be "on call" in extras holding, because you never know when they're going to call you to the set.

As a job, I found it to be fun and interesting about 10% of the day, and tedious and boring 90%. I don't mind being paid to sit around and do nothing, and can entertain myself, but the worst is that you're hardly ever told what's going on, why you're waiting, when/if lunch will be, when your day might be over, etc. So you end up feeling like cattle.

Also, the early call times are killer. I hate early mornings. And sometimes you're staying up till 11 p.m. to get an email telling you your call time, which may be five or six in the morning. I don't know how people in the industry do it.

I did learn, I think, how easy it would be to infiltrate a film shoot. Considering all the people involved at different levels, I think it is virtually impossible that any one person could know everyone who is supposed to be on the property. When I arrived, no one ever asked me who I was or what I was there for. If anyone did, I think all you'd have to do is mutter "background" or "BG." As usual for infiltration, a look of bored entitlement should get you just about anywhere -- even the lunch truck!

I hope to try this out in Vancouver, where there's often a lot of shooting. And it's pilot season now ...

I'm also daydreaming about printing some "location scout" business cards, which could conceivably be used to get you into all sorts of places. "Could I talk to your building manager? How much do you charge to film from the roof? And could I take a few pictures?" I might need a nicer camera first, to make this plausible.

A couple of neighborhood rooftops:

The first is from the roof of Slvr condo, which I've been eyeing for a year. On a recent evening, I steeled myself for a run-in with on-site security, and took advantage of a POE (there haven't been many). I made a dash for the underground parking, then started systematically trying stairwells. None took me up the tower. One took me right into the room where the security guard was sitting (perhaps sleeping). Finally, by roundabout means, I managed to get into the tower stairwell and climbed thirty-odd flights to the roof. It was lovely and still up there, and the fog slowly rolled in and obscured my view.

The second is from Lmnt by Wstn, one of the tallest buildings in Metrotown, which has just opened for business and is currently one big POE. This won't last much longer.

By a very roundabout route, I managed to sneak into the swimming pool, but by my count I had to pass through three unlocked or taped-open doors, all of which will no doubt become secure within a month, if not a week.

The penthouse apartments will probably be finished in the same sort of time frame, after which this lovely view will become private property (and divided in thirds).

But I will always be able to say, "I was up on that building."