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May 13, 2004
Sailors Report For Duty Aboard 'The West Wing'
By Chief Journalist Daniel Charles Ross, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Public Affairs
Navy Newsstand
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) -- Dozens of U.S. Navy members and hundreds more allied military and local civilians, descended on historic St. Anne's Church here to play small roles as "extras" in a May 10 filming of the popular television program "The West Wing."
The program involves the fictional administration of "President Jed Bartlet," played by acclaimed actor Martin Sheen.
"I'm a fan of the show, so it was a special treat to come out and spend the day with the cast," said Lt. (SCW) Eileen D'Andrea, amphibious programs officer for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Seabee Readiness department.
Among naval personnel volunteering their off time to be in the show were members of the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, who play a large part in several of the funeral scenes. But for others, sitting in the church as "military background mourners," the brush with TV fame was less prominent.
"It was a long day of 'hurry up and wait.' It wasn't much different from a command inspection and change of command ceremony rolled into one long day," said Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Barringer. Seated in the front row of the church during a key shot, Barringer may survive the editing process and be seen in the program.
"The personal interaction with the headline stars made the event worth the effort, and the 'extra's cameo' shot was an added bonus," he added. "It was a long eight-hour day for perhaps one or two minutes of usable footage. I am [still] standing by for my close-up."
Posted by Jo at May 13, 2004 02:07 PM