Courtesy of John Porhamer
John Porhamer grew his beard for his role as an extra during the filming of "1883."
The Fort Worth Stockyards has attracted quite the hullabloo since filming for the upcoming Paramount+ series "1883" began in late August. While some lucky locals got a chance to see cast and crew hanging around places like Taco Heads, others — like John Porhamer, owner of Cowtown Insurance Service, Inc. — went as far as stepping on set to work as an extra.
After a whirlwind three days of filming last week, Porhamer chatted with Fort Worth Magazine about his experience.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
FWM: First off, how did you come to be involved with this project?
JP: There was an ad in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. To be honest, when I saw it, I actually at first ignored it. But my wife saw it also, and she said, "John, you ought to send in for that." I [sent] some pictures where I'm on horseback rounding up cattle, and [Legacy Casting] responded fairly quickly within about, I would say seven to 10 days.
FWM: What information did they give you to prepare?
JP: Well, first thing they said was, "Do not cut your hair and do not shave." This was around Aug. 2 or something like that, so there were actually about five weeks when I didn't get a haircut and didn't shave. I am from the old school. Since I first started shaving at age 15, I've probably never gone more than two days without shaving. So for me, it was quite a change.
They cast me as a "Caucasian cowboy" because they also had some Spanish cowboys on the set. People cast for that. They did say I'll be dressed in period-appropriate clothes. A couple of weeks before the filming started, I had to go to a warehouse. And of course, every time you show up, you have to go have a COVID test. They dressed me in period-appropriate costume and said, "All right, we'll call you when we start."
FWM: In which part of the Stockyards were y'all filming?
JP: When you go down Main Street, and it links you to Exchange Avenue, you go up that street to the left that goes up the hill. They had that completely blocked off and changed all the signs to 1883 signs. There was dirt on the pavement, and it was really pretty cool. It's kind of like stepping into a time capsule. There was actually a building that I believe they just built up there, and there was a livery stable, and it was just a shell. But from the outside, it looked just like a livery stable you'd see in "Gunsmoke" or something.
FWM: And the dates they gave you were Sept. 7 – 10?
JP: I'll be honest with you. The first day, Tuesday, was extremely long and extremely hard. I actually sent them an email, said I wouldn't be able to show up on Wednesday, but then I made the other two days.
FWM: Walk us through that Tuesday. What was your day like?
JP: Well, you had to be on the set by 3:30 a.m. When they say "be on the set," that actually means you have to be there by about 3:15. And for me — I live on the west side of Fort Worth — I had to get up at 2:30.
First day, this was a huge project, and there were about 400 extras that showed up. So there was a long line for the COVID test, and then there was a long line to take you from the parking lot to the dressing area.
You get your costume on, go to hair and makeup, and then you go to something called dusting ... They put artificial dirt on your clothes so it makes you look just like you got off a trail drive or something.
I got to the dressing area to do all that stuff at around 3:30 ... it was like 7 before we actually got on the set.
I think we finally cut off a little after 7 that evening. I have to say, I was really tapped. I was really worn out.
FWM: I can imagine. That's about a 16-hour day.
JP: I will say this, I always thought acting was kind of a cushy job. There is a lot of work to it. The crew on this bunch were absolutely tops.
FWM: So, when the cameras were rolling, what all did you have to do?
JP: A part of it was just walking across the street. There was one place where I was escorting a lady across the street, and a fight breaks out, and I kind of tell her to back off. Then some gunfire breaks out, and we have to run away.
The saloon scene — that was really interesting because Sam Elliott was in there, and he was having some dialogue with some other actors, and the saloon scene was just packed, but the whole thing was in pantomime. We could not say a word. The only person saying anything was Sam Elliott, and you could barely hear him, but he had a voice mic on. The way they explained it to me is, it goes to a recording, and then when they play it back, they put in their own background noise.
FWM: Interesting. Speaking of Sam, did you get to meet any of the stars?
JP: We were strictly told not to do that. They said they are working. I did see very closely — I saw Sam Elliott, I saw Billy Bob Thornton, Tim McGraw. I was as close to them as just like right next to them, but it was explained to me they were working and you were not to talk to them, so we didn't.
FWM: How cool was it just to be there though?
JP: It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I've always been fascinated with that sort of thing. I grew up watching Roy Rogers and Gene Autry and that sort of stuff. Of course, the funny thing is when my beard started coming up, I looked more like Gabby Hayes [laughs]. But yeah, it was really impressive. I guess what impressed me the most is they take all these little pieces of these little scenes and stuff, and they're so fractured, yet when they put it together, it makes this real, incredible movie. That gave me a new respect for the movie industry.
"1883" is scheduled to premiere Dec. 19 on Paramount+.
