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She talks of being hit in the head with the camera
once or twice in the beginning. But the training she
received working on "ER" has allowed flexibility,
and today she works exclusively on medical scenes. Her
assignments are steady, although it took almost four
years to receive regular calls.
RNs on the set are categorized as technical extras,
so they make more than extras, but less than principal
actors. Starting pay for a technical extra is $250 for
an eight-hour day, plus time-and-a-half for overtime.
Technical advisers make more.
All the nurses talk of how much they love what they
do and of the set's family atmosphere. They say it's
like coming home when they show up for their one- or
two-day stints. Everyone wants to hear what's been happening
with the other actors and reconnect with old friends.
There's also the excitement of shoptalk, of Emmys or
Oscars. Other benefits are the Christmas party and the
wrap party, where "ER" jackets, mugs and gift
perks are given as presents. There's also a "nurses
night," where nurses from the set and outlying
hospitals are invited for an elaborate dinner and requested
to talk shop while writers take notes on their conversations.
The technical directors of "ER" have a built-in
respect and regard for nurses that underscores the appreciation
of all those on the set. Freeman said, "I am honored
to play a nurse. I see nurses as the most fabulous people
ever and pray that I can do honor to the profession."
It's easy to see why these nurses stay with this job
and say it's the best work they've had. However, for
LeBlanc-Cabot, there is no comparison between her real
and television ER work.
"Both can be fun, stressful and exciting,"
she said. "But there is nothing more satisfying
on a deep level than using my abilities as a nurse to
make a difference in a patient's life."
Contact Bree LeMaire at peraltapal@aol.com
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