This was for the exact same episode, but filmed a week apart. When casting originally called, they told me the scene would take place in "Mexico." I thought, Okay, cool. Then they asked if I wanted to play a Mexican police officer. I laughed to myself and said, "Sure, why not?"
While the scene was supposed to be set at the airport in Ixtapa, Mexico, it was actually filmed at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth. When I arrived, I went to wardrobe to change into my uniform, and then to props to collect my sidearm and badge. It was then that I realized I was the only white guy on set who wasn't playing a tourist!
While a few other guys and I were waiting for our scenes, I walked over to watch the filming from behind the director. I caught William Fichtner shooting a scene down one of the corridors. I believe his scene was supposed to be set in Chicago. He was on the phone talking to his on-camera son, but in reality, he was speaking to a production assistant off-camera. What amused me was that whenever he wasn’t actively filming, he was having a conversation on his personal phone. The moment a take came up, he would slide his real phone into his pocket and nail his lines. As soon as the director called cut, he was right back on his phone. Color me impressed.
Later on, it was time for my scenes. I was supposed to be at the Mexican airport chasing Sucre and Maricruz down the hallway. The other guys and I were in position and ready to roll. At the very last second, however, the director decided not to use us. Damn! Again, that’s just how showbiz goes.
I wasn’t too bothered because I got to hang out with Amaury Nolasco (Sucre) and Camille Guaty (Maricruz) between scenes. When Amaury first arrived, he walked right up to me, shook my hand, and gave me a hug. He said, "Hey, what's up, man? How was your New Year?" We chatted for a little while. I hadn't worked with Amaury since episode one, and even then, we didn’t share any scenes—we had just grabbed breakfast and lunch together.
That morning, I asked Amaury if he could sign an autograph for me when he had a free moment. He said, "Sure, would it be okay if I do it later?" I told him it was no problem at all and to just let me know whenever he wasn't busy.
Fast forward to the end of the day, and the crew called a wrap. I walked around to say my goodbyes. When I approached Amaury and Camille, Amaury remembered the autograph. He said, “Hey, let me sign that for you. Do you have a photo or something?” I told him all I had was an index card, so he signed that. Then he said, "I'll see you again. Talk to you later, bro." Next, I handed a card to Camille, and she signed it before giving me a hug. I wrapped up at wardrobe and props and headed home. Even though I didn’t end up doing any acting, it was really cool to see everyone again and watch the episode shot from the director’s perspective.
About a week later, I got the call to come back. It was for the same episode, just a different scene. Since my face hadn't been seen in "Mexico," they were able to use me again. This time was an especially cool experience. My call time was 11:00 AM. I arrived at base camp and went straight to wardrobe. For this setup, I was playing a chef in a members-only cigar club, which was actually filmed inside The Old Warsaw restaurant. What was really neat was that when I arrived at base camp, everyone was waiting for me, making sure I had everything I needed.
After I got dressed and propped, they drove me over to the set. I sat around for a little while before legend externalized as Warden Pope in season one, actor Stacy Keach, walked in. His character had been fired at the beginning of the second season. I waited a few minutes and then approached him to start a conversation. I told him I had been a fan ever since I first saw him perform as Sergeant Stedenko in Cheech & Chong’s Nice Dreams. He expressed his gratitude for the support. I then asked if he would sign an index card for me. Like everyone else, he graciously said, “It would be an honor.” He signed it and shook my hand. About an hour later, we broke for lunch.
After lunch, we returned to shoot the scene. I was working alongside Wentworth Miller and Sarah Wayne Callies. The scene went well, but somehow production always seems to shorten my parts! I did make it on screen, but if you blinked, you would have missed me. Still, it was a fun, albeit short day. That was a wrap for me. I was the last one to arrive on set and the first to leave, but I still had a great time. Until next time!
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