Back in Time: Working Background in Baja’s 'Little Boy'

Actor and producer Eduardo Verastegui, recently known for his award-winning movie "Bella", just rapped production on the feature film "Little Boy", a heartwarming period piece based on a true story surrounding a special-needs child searching for his best friend and father, a World War II soldier, bringing him home against all odds (scheduled release 2012).

In summer 2011, press releases broadcast "More Than 2,000 Extras Sought for Baja Movie", and encouraged locals to tryout at Baja Studios (created for "Titanic") while multi-national casting was achieved locally through Barbarella Casting professionals.

Audition & Fitting

Necessitating an international cast of actors and extras, period-piece costumes, props and authentic sets, production of the WWII movie "Little Boy" was underway months ahead of scheduled filming dates. I responded to the call for German extras and was selected to portray a family member supporting peripheral-background hospitalized soldiers.

Although casting took place at Baja Studios in August 2011, my call-back didn't come until late October, when I was hired as a background extra, requiring next-day wardrobe fitting for filming a couple days later. A small group of extras and I were dressed in authentic-period attire, portraying family members visiting injured sons and husbands in the hospital. Every article of clothing and accessories -- hats, coats, shoes, gloves, and jewelry -- had to represent WWII California fashion.

Hair & Makeup

All extras reported to the studio before daybreak on the day of filming, and were transported to a historical-landmark schoolhouse location in the hills of Baja, where rooms had been incredibly set-dressed and transformed into a hospital, circa-1940s.

After changing into wardrobe from my grandparents' era, with gloves and over-sized beret in hand, we were collectively sent to hair and makeup for red lips, face powder, tight curls, and semi-permanent hat-attachment. Once the transformation was complete, snapshots insured future scene-matching and authentication before being called onto the set.

Hospital Scene

Once on set and the "action" command is given, background moves along predetermined routes, avoiding main characters while silently dodging cameras and other behind-the-scenes cast and crew along a maze of cables, tracks, lighting, and furniture props. While I limped through my obstacle course, in agonizingly-painful shoes for 2 days of filming, I reached the bedside destination of my wounded son (or husband) with real tears. It was not the acting genius I had hoped to bring to the film, but it seemed to work out well for the scene.

Although I had taken many years off from acting and modeling to foster special-needs children while finishing college degrees, I sorely missed acting and was delighted to be included in this outstanding film production. Based entirely upon the scene enacted around us, regardless if my part stands up to final editing, I believe the family-movie "Little Boy" will overwhelm your heart with joy and make you glad to be alive.

For more information about this film, its actors, and locations pending its 2012 release and promotional movie trailer, see "Baja Studios Sets the Scene for WWII Film" or the Spanish news clip on YouTube "Terminan grabaciones de pelicula 'Little Boy'".