ES: How did you end up getting to be an extra in Episode II?

Jeni: One fine Sunday last year, my sister and I paid a visit to Fox Studios Australia, just to have a look around. We live practically across the street from it. After all of the rides, the comic book stores, the Sony store, the rockclimbing, etc., we decided to sign up to become extras in a movie. We simply assumed that we were going to be in a local movie. I almost had a heart attack when I heard Star Wars being mentioned.

ES: Were you a big Star Wars fan at that point?

Jeni: I am a really big fan! I have the videos, and some collector's items here and there -- I only get so much pocket money.

ES: Tell me about the moment when you realized you would be in Star Wars.

Jeni: I got rung up. I couldn't believe my luck. I was completely ecstatic and I had to ring up my sister to tell her the news, because she registered under my phone number. We were both chosen to play Jedi Padawans.

ES: How old are you and your sister?

Jeni: I'm 14, my sister's 27. I play a young Padawan. She plays a Padawan about to face her trials.

ES: Did you have to sign some sort of secrecy agreement before you could go on set?

Jeni: I'm not supposed to tell you that!

ES: Did you have to go in for a costume fitting beforehand?

Jeni: Actually, we did. It was kind of like going into the fitting rooms at K-mart.

ES: What was the costume like? Do you get those sexy boots like Ewan and Liam wore? [g]

Jeni: It was typical Jedi garb. Something similar to what Jake Lloyd wore in the celebration scene of TPM. I felt really comfortable in it, though my sister hated the boots. We got to keep our costumes, but we're not allowed to upload photos onto the net or I'd let you have a look.

ES: Did you have to wear a wig, a padawan braid, etc?

Jeni: I got a braid. The rest of my hair was pretty much left alone compared to what others had. Which means I just got it tied back and sprayed.

ES: Did you get to carry a lightsaber?

Jeni: Yeah, I did! I mounted it, and I made my own one out of papier mache.

ES: So, you're in costume, ready to go. What happens next?

Jeni: The time that went by until The Moment seemed to pass by in a blur. The reality of the moment only seemed to hit me when I was fully dressed in my Padawan outfit and walking the halls of the Jedi Temple whilst chatting with my other Padawan friends. My dream had finally come true, in a way.

ES: How many shots were you in?

Jeni: One measly shot. that's all.

ES: How many other Padawan extras like yourself did you meet?

Jeni: I met about five. One just happened to be in the year below me at my school.

ES: What did you think of the sets? Did you really feel like you were in the Jedi Temple?

Jeni: The sets. How can I describe them without giving too much away? Absolutely beautiful. It was a shame that no cameras were allowed onto the set. And yeah, I really did feel like I was in the Jedi Temple. Now, if only my lightsabre could work ...

ES: How long did your participation in the shoot last?

Jeni: I don't know, my sister and I didn't have our watches with us and we couldn't see a clock *anywhere*. I guess it'd be a few hours. Not as long as a day. (I wish!) The scene had to be re-shot a few times.

ES: What's it like being an extra? Who tells you what to do? Do you see a script?

Jeni: It's like you actually have another "self" who lives in the SW universe, and suddenly you get transported to the other self's body.

ES: Tell me about the sound, smell, taste, sight, and feel of the experience.

Jeni: I can relive the entire experience all over again just by thinking about it. I can even remember the smell of sweat after being under all of those lights! Let me just say that chaotic is an understatement. Make-up artists, people being ushered around, you get the idea ...

ES: Did you get to do anything unusual, or just basically walk around?

Jeni: All we did was just walk around and chat. We were in the background, anyway.

ES: Did you get to see the "name" actors rehearsing or performing?

Jeni: No, it was pretty hectic, so I got nowhere near any "name" actors. I caught a few glimpses of Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor, but I wasn't close enough to meet them. My sister was though, and she got to meet them and she even got to meet George Lucas himself, the lucky girl! I got ushered away before I could get a longer glimpse of Hayden and Ewan.

ES: What did your sister say to them? What did they reply?

Jeni: She just asked them how everything was. Can't tell you the reply, because SHE NEVER TOLD ME WHAT THEY SAID!

ES: It's a wonder you didn't kill her. [g] When you were done, did you get any feedback about your performance?

Jeni: We weren't around. We were running to the carpark. I asked someone for the time at the end of the session and we had to run straight back to our car to escape a parking fine.

ES: At the end of the day, how did you feel about the experience?

Jeni: I can't really explain it in words ... so ... ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.

ES: Do you think now you'd like being an actor?

Jeni: Yeah, I would like to become an actor, but I want to concentrate on my writing first. However, I got the leading part in our school play this year because being in Episode II kind of inspired me to start paying some attention to drama.

ES: What else would you like to share about your experience with our Echo Station readers?

Jeni: I'm over the moon about the fact that George Lucas chose to film Episodes II and III in Australia, not only because Aussie fans can become extras on the set, but also because local actors like Leanna Walsman and Bonnie Piesse get to strut their stuff on the international stage. It was definitely a huge honour to be an extra in Episode II, and it's just as mush of an honour, if not more, to share my experience with other Star Wars fans around the world through Echo Station.

ES: Thanks, Jeni. I'll cross my fingers that your shot stays in the film. You'll have to let us know where to look for you once the movie comes out next year.

Jeni: I'll do that!

(Toryn Farr knew everything about Star Wars back in 1977 thanks to Starlog Magazine. She's been trying to keep her know-it-all reputation ever since. During the 90 minutes per day her preschooler is napping, Toryn attempts to run an internet design business and write fantasy fiction.)

(Young Padawan Jeni is strong with the Force. If you'd like to chat with her, you can find her on our message boards posing as Jeni the Jaded.)