Backgrounders: Fear and Loathing on the E-List

BACKGROUNDERS is a half-hour sitcom following an unlikely group of accidental friends.

Format - 30 minute television series
Genre - ensemble workplace comedy
Logline - A diverse group of extras form a dysfunctional family to navigate the absurd & often surreal world of TV/film production in Atlanta

Synopsis
COMMUNITY meets EXTRAS. This impromptu 'work-family' of talented misfits serves as an emotional support system for our troop, while actively encouraging its individual members to pursue their own dreams. Come join our colorful cast of underdogs as they embark on an epic quest for fortune and fame in the cutthroat Bizarro World of the entertainment industry. The idea for the series was born during many months spent booking gigs as a background actor in Atlanta, where I witnessed more than enough compelling drama, ruthless ambition & unexpected hilarity to provide source material for many seasons to come.

Details
Background talent resides at the bottom of the food chain in this dog-eat-dog media landscape. They don't get starring roles, invites to flashy Hollywood premieres, or even decent food. Yet most remain undaunted, upbeat & optimistic, generally being supportive & looking out for one another. Attending a 'cattle call' casting provides some truly World-Class people watching. Once the horde invades, the vast white tent fills with hundreds of would-be actors of every conceivable age, race, sexuality, income, & religion. Digging deeper, I found a unique community of fascinating individuals, a multicultural tribe of colorful personalities sharing their artistic trials, tribulations & triumphs. All doing their level best to overcome the roadblocks & challenges familiar to nearly all aspiring creatives. After many long hours on set & languishing in holding for paltry wages, what has remained with me is an appreciation for the warmth, humor & essential goodness of my fellow extras. We share a familial camaraderie born out of shared experiences good & bad, all for the sake of a moment's fleeting fame. There are 10 principal & several ancillary characters that will reappear periodically throughout the season. Loosely based on people I've met during my time on set, these are their (made-up) stories.