'Gone Girl' extra: Steve Mosley, 70, uses look of disdain (or agony?) to earn spot in movie

The following story was submitted by Steve Mosley. It is provided through a content partnership with rustmedia.

When I read that the makers of the movie Gone Girl were seeking extras from the area, I jokingly asked my Facebook friends if I should try out. I expected a lot of LOL's, smiley faces and the like. However, I received a lot of YES! responses.

I pretty much forgot about it for a while but on a day when there were tryouts at Rose Theater on SEMO's campus. I felt some sense of obligation to try out since I had received so much encouragement. On the other hand, my sense of commitment wasn't all that strong.

I drove around the theater 13 times, witnessing all of the cars as well as the people (mostly young) lined up outside the door, awaiting to tryout.

My conscience finally got the better of me and I decided to give it a shot. After waiting in line for what seemed like a a week while holding onto chairs and other people in order to remain standing, I finally reached the stage.

It looked like they were just taking snapshots of people and ushering them out the door. I had a headache and my back was killing me. I would soon be free. Yes!

"Sir," from behind the stage curtains, "This is your lucky day. You've been chosen to try out for a part in Gone Girl!"

People nearby gasped and I could hear more than one whisper, "Him?"

They instructed me to go backstage, act like I was coming outside to pick up a newspaper, bend over, and look at the camera with a look of disdain like I noticed someone (Ben Afflek?) I disdained.

After two or three feeble attempts, they let me go and said they'd be in touch.

I figured that would be the last I'd hear from them. Since my back hurt so badly when trying to bend over, the best I could do was glance at the camera with an expression not of disdain but agonizing pain.

A couple of weeks went by before I got the call. Again, I wasn't expecting it and didn't care if I did, although I kept my cell phone by my side, 24--7, and asked my wife 203 times if they called our land line.

On the day of the shoot I dressed casually, knowing nothing about the book or movie, but still feeling I'd be cast in some kind of heroic role. My lovely wife, Viney, accompanied me to the old federal building, the central casting location. My head swelling, I assumed Viney accompanied me for the purpose of fending off the paparazzi.

The rest was kind of a blur.

"Come with us, Mr., uh, let's see, Mosley. We need you to change clothes for your role."

I did and was whisked by van along with others to a walk-in clinic, part of which had been modified into a makeshift nursing home.

I had no time to protest that I had surely been miscast.

I remained in virtual shock as I stood there, motionless, in PJ's, a ragged robe and an IV pole while a lady cast as a nurse held onto me. The camera passed over me, pausing for perhaps .0001 second.

Finally, after 23 retakes of me and others in the scene I was whisked away, still speechless because I was portrayed as a pitiful, frail, sickly old man in a nursing home.

However, I will admit that those who made the movie know more than I do about casting if or maybe when I give my speech, proudly grasping an Oscar.

If you like this story, be sure to check out the semissourian.com's Gone Girl page and follow the "Gone Girl Cape Girardeau" Facebook page for more news and information relating to the movie.

See also:

5 things Cape Girardeau learned about Hollywood during the 'Gone Girl' filming

5 things Cape Girardeau is looking forward to in the 'Gone Girl' movie

5 actors you may not know in the movie 'Gone Girl'

'Gone Girl' extra: A brush with Ben

'Gone Girl' extra: On-set medic says crew talked up Cape Girardeau

'Gone Girl' extra: Ben Affleck talks baseball between takes

Director Fincher talks with Southeast Missourian about life behind camera.

Author Gillian Flynn tells the Southeast Missourian about her Missouri roots.