New Haven Independent

For classic-car drivers like LaFreniere-Iagrosse (pictured at left with her ‘56 Ford Thunderbird), Diane Brenner (1957 GMC Pick-up) of Hamden, and Bob Wielgosh (1955 Chevrolet Nomad, pictured at the bottom of this story) of Wallingford, days are long, but compensation is not small. LaFreniere-Iagrosse gets $200 a day for the car, $100 for her work as an extra.

“It’s a lot of standing around,” said Brenner, “but it’s a great experience.”

These drivers were among the car owners and other extras who spent Monday working on the set that has transformed downtown New Haven back to the 1950s.

“They’re very appreciative that you’re here, which surprises me,” LaFreniere-Iagrosse said.

Having found out about the opportunity through the Connecticut Classic Chevy Car Club, Brenner and Wielgosh also arrived in New Haven early Monday morning. After shooting just one scene, they stood by with their cell phones or walkie-talkie radios at hand, waiting to be summoned for their next shoot.

Landing the opportunity required much perseverance. Extras originally had to wait in line at the nearby Omni Hotel for hours hoping to even get a chance to show their headshots to see if they fit the profile for the Indiana Jones cast. Some waited five and a half hours before they were sent home because there was no need for any more extras. Others arrived by 9:30 a.m. on two given days to make sure they made it.

Central Connecticut City University student Doug Oliphant decided an opportunity as an extra in an Indiana Jones sequel would be nice to have on his resume as a theater major.

Fellow extra Mike Merly of Bridgeport is not in the acting industry. He said pursuing a career as an actor might be in his future after this filming.

Extras were paid by the hour. They were also given free lunches and a discount for parking.

Throughout the day, onlookers were constantly looking out for famous faces. As soon as director Steven Spielberg was spotted, cries of excitement could be heard and cameras would be flashing. In an effort to appease, entertain and show his appreciation, Spielberg would subsequently pull out his camera and start taking pictures of the crowd, generating more smiles from the fans, as they were happy to see a pleasant Hollywood star.

“It was hysterical,” onlooker Linda Reason said.

“Steven Spielberg waved at me!” Jacob Davison of Boston, Mass., exclaimed. “It made my day.”

Davison and his mother Lisa Klein had not expected to spend the day in New Haven, but they were unable to pass on the opportunity to see the filming of what is likely the last of the Indiana Jones series.

“I grew up on the Indiana Jones trilogy,” Davison said. “I swear they’ll never get old.” His mother agreed, adding that “the first one was the best, but they’re all good.”

Another visitor, Nancy Smith of Rhode Island, traveled about two and a half hours to see the shoot. Coming from a family of Jones aficionados, Smith claimed that her “awesome” experience was “definitely worth it.”

Having arrived at 10:30 a.m., Smith watched the filming of two separate scenes, spotting Harrison Ford himself at the first one. “It was actually him!” Smith said.

Retired insurance broker Aldon Manville of Branford made his way to the filming site, despite the fact that he has yet to see even one of the Indiana Jones movies. “I guess I’m just a fan of a movie star,” admitted Manville.