'Gone Girl' extra: Ben Affleck talks baseball between takes

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Richard McGill shared his experiences in being an extra on the set of 'Gone Girl' as part of a project with the Southeast Missourian and rustmedia. This is one of several stories to be published online.

__What role did you have in the movie's production? __

I was an extra playing a CSI detective.

__What kind of communication did you have with "Gone Girl" staffers? What were they like?:__

I met with wardrobe, props and production assistants in preparing for the shoots. I thought everyone I dealt with was really great to work with during my days there. While on set, I spoke each time with Mollie Stallman (second second assistant director) who was very nice but extremely businesslike. She was very helpful to all the extras and made sure we did what David Fincher wanted of us.

I also spoke with Mr. Fincher for direction in one of my scenes. It was brief in between a couple of takes with him telling me exactly what to do or what to change in the scene.

__If you were an extra, did you get to speak to any of the actors? If so, which one and what was the conversation like?:__

I did speak briefly with Ben Affleck in the last night I shot. It was the night the Red Sox clinched the ALCS, and he started the scene we were in inside the house that is Margo's (his character's sister) house. Between takes, Ben was watching the game. We talked about them coming back and winning the game.

I also spoke more at length with Patrick Fugit who plays Det. Gilpin. In the same scene with Ben, we are showing up to try and find evidence on the property. Myself, Patrick and three other extras are the police/CSI agents/detectives that move to a shed in the backyard. Between scene, the four extras, including myself, spoke to Patrick about his roles. I told him how much I really liked "Almost Famous" that he filmed when he was 15. He couldn't believe it was filmed 16 years ago. We spoke about the scene as well a little in between takes.

__How much time did you spend at the shoot?:__

I was on set on three different occasions. The first was approximately six hours. The other two were 12-13 hours.

__What scenes did you participate in?:__

I was on set twice at the house that, in the movie, is Nick and Amy's. The last one, which is the scene I participated in most, was at Margo's house. I was a CSI detective in all 3 scenes. The first scene and Nick and Amy's, I'm appearing in the driveway meeting another CSI detective that is just getting there. We are greeting each other while Casey Wilson (playing Noelle Hawthorne) knocks on the front door trying to get Gilpin (played by Patrick Fugit) and Boney (played by Kim Wilkens) to come to the door. The second scene was also at the house, and Noelle is reaching the house as Gilpin and Boney pull up, telling them she has information for them.

The last scene is at Margo's house. Boney is serving a search warrant while Gilpin (along with me, another extra playing a CSI agent, and two extras playing police officers) look for evidence in the shed in the background. Those who have read the book know the scene is important to the story.

__Did anything about your interactions with crew or about the production surprise you? If so, what?:__

I was pleasantly surprised at how nice all of the crew was to all the extras. I loved being able to watch David Fincher work. I think he's a great director, and being on set was an incredible experience I'll never forget. I was able to watch what was being filmed on the monitors many times, and it was awesome to see what was really happening in front of me being transferred to what it will look like on screen. It was a tremendous opportunity for all of those involved, something we can all now cross off of our bucket list. I'm excited for those who were able to participate, and I'm happy the city of Cape Girardeau had this opportunity.

__What are you most looking forward to most about the movie?:__

While I'm sure I'll be caught up in looking at people I know on screen, I'm very interested to see this novel come to life and the direction Fincher will take with it. I'm interested in seeing if the ending changes as rumored.

__What else would you like to share about your experience with the filming of "Gone Girl" in Cape Girardeau?:__

I'm just very thankful for the opportunity to have participated in such a small way to the film.

If you like this story, be sure to check out the semissourian.com's Gone Girl page and follow the "Gone Girl Cape Girardeau" Facebook page for more news and information relating to the movie.

See also:

5 things Cape Girardeau learned about Hollywood during the filming of 'Gone Girl

5 things Cape Girardeau is looking forward to with the movie 'Gone Girl'

5 actors you may not know in the movie 'Gone Girl'

Director Fincher talks with Southeast Missourian about life behind camera.

Author Gillian Flynn tells the Southeast Missourian about her Missouri roots.