<strong>Travis Levius and Spike Lee: </strong>"My 'right place, right time' experience in Chiang Mai sounds literally unbelievable," says travel writer Travis Levius, who unexpectedly found himself working as both an extra and a stand-in last year during production of Spike Lee's new film, "Da 5 Bloods."
Travis Levius and Spike Lee: "My 'right place, right time' experience in Chiang Mai sounds literally unbelievable," says travel writer Travis Levius, who unexpectedly found himself working as both an extra and a stand-in last year during production of Spike Lee's new film, "Da 5 Bloods."
Travis Levius
<strong>Chiang Dao, Thailand: </strong>Seeing a Facebook post while on a press trip in Phuket, Levius quickly flew north to Chiang Mai for the casting. Spike Lee explained to the group that "Da 5 Bloods," though Vietnam War-themed, would mainly be shot in Chiang Mai and he was scouting extras for a crucial scene.
Chiang Dao, Thailand: Seeing a Facebook post while on a press trip in Phuket, Levius quickly flew north to Chiang Mai for the casting. Spike Lee explained to the group that "Da 5 Bloods," though Vietnam War-themed, would mainly be shot in Chiang Mai and he was scouting extras for a crucial scene.
Travis Levius
<strong>Filming at Doi Suthep National Park: </strong>A few days later, Levius received an email confirming his place as a film extra. He was also asked to be a stand-in -- essentially the off-camera version of a body double for lighting/camera placement -- for actor Chadwick Boseman.
Filming at Doi Suthep National Park: A few days later, Levius received an email confirming his place as a film extra. He was also asked to be a stand-in -- essentially the off-camera version of a body double for lighting/camera placement -- for actor Chadwick Boseman.
Travis Levius
<strong>Da 5 Bloods stand-ins: </strong>Levius, far left, with the four other "Da 5 Bloods" stand-ins: Bryan Howard, Raphael Florenciano, Andre Scott and Andrew Stokes.
Da 5 Bloods stand-ins: Levius, far left, with the four other "Da 5 Bloods" stand-ins: Bryan Howard, Raphael Florenciano, Andre Scott and Andrew Stokes.
Bryan Howard
<strong>Life as an extra: </strong>"Movie making is far from glamorous, no matter how gorgeous the setting," says Levius, pictured with two fellow extras. "Most of production dealt with 4:30 a.m. call-times and 12+ hour days with no cloud cover, constantly swatting flying insects from our faces while trying to create a war film classic."
Life as an extra: "Movie making is far from glamorous, no matter how gorgeous the setting," says Levius, pictured with two fellow extras. "Most of production dealt with 4:30 a.m. call-times and 12+ hour days with no cloud cover, constantly swatting flying insects from our faces while trying to create a war film classic."
Travis Levius
<strong>Standing in for Boseman: </strong>Levius says one of the scenes he stood in for Boseman involved him gripping a massive rubber gun while dangling half-way out of a raised, simulated helicopter.
Standing in for Boseman: Levius says one of the scenes he stood in for Boseman involved him gripping a massive rubber gun while dangling half-way out of a raised, simulated helicopter.
Travis Levius
<strong>Meeting Norm Lewis: </strong>One of the most surreal experiences for Levius was meetings actors he's watched on television and movies, including "Da 5 Bloods" actor Norm Lewis.
Meeting Norm Lewis: One of the most surreal experiences for Levius was meetings actors he's watched on television and movies, including "Da 5 Bloods" actor Norm Lewis.
Travis Levius
<strong>Northern Thailand: "</strong>We shot in multiple locations outside of Chiang Mai in the jungles of Northern Thailand, including the Mork Fa Waterfall area of Doi Suthep National Park and the alluring Chiang Dao region, lined with precipitous limestone peaks," says Levius.
Northern Thailand: "We shot in multiple locations outside of Chiang Mai in the jungles of Northern Thailand, including the Mork Fa Waterfall area of Doi Suthep National Park and the alluring Chiang Dao region, lined with precipitous limestone peaks," says Levius.
Travis Levius
<strong>On set: </strong>Levius never got a chance to get a picture with Boseman, but he did snap this photo of the five main "Da 5 Bloods" actors on set.
On set: Levius never got a chance to get a picture with Boseman, but he did snap this photo of the five main "Da 5 Bloods" actors on set.
Travis Levius
<strong>Roughing it in Phuket: </strong>Prior to securing his once-in-a-lifetime gig, Levius was enjoying a luxury-filled press trip that included a stay at Anantara's Layan Residences in Phuket.
Roughing it in Phuket: Prior to securing his once-in-a-lifetime gig, Levius was enjoying a luxury-filled press trip that included a stay at Anantara's Layan Residences in Phuket.
Travis Levius