Testimony from an extra- info on Kyoshi village scene
I'm not sure how legit this is, but it seems to detailed to be entirely fabricated. I found this on Avatarspirit.net from someone who found it while searching the web. The post is here: http://forums.avatarspirit.net/index.php?topic=16476.msg1541031#msg1541031
We changed into our costumes, then went into the next room, where a hairdresser skillfully wound two fat hairpieces about two feet long around my head to create a crown-like effect. Older men had false mustaches and goatees applied. Younger men were fitted with topknots. As a final touch “clean dirt” was applied to our hands in a make-up trailer. By the time all that was done the breakfast table had been taken down. We hopped into a waiting van and were taken to the filming set, about 15 minutes away.
A Japanese village had been constructed in an old quarry. Several simple structures lined a road through the village. At its center was a ten-foot high statue of a deity, the protector of the village.
There were about 90 extras, Asian men and women of all ages, young to elderly, and about a dozen children of elementary school age; plus assistant directors, production people, two camera men, and the costume and make-up people who applied sunscreen, tucked in stray hairs and made sure we looked presentable for the camera. Besides the villagers there were about ten young men dressed as soldiers. One had a wicked looking weapon that looked like a hatchet on a long staff; another carried a sword.
As we waited to be called we could hear, but could not see, scenes being filmed a short distance away. We heard “quiet,” “rolling,” and “cut.” Finally all villagers were called. We strolled down to the set. The first assistant director set the scene, told us to line the road on both sides and follow the hero, the Avatar, as he wound his way toward the Statue at the center of the village. We were to throw yellow flowers on him and touch him as he went past. The scene lasted only a minute or two. After two rehearsals the AD called “reset”; we went back to our original positions. We took our places for the first “take.” The AD shouted “quiet,” then “rolling.” An assistant held up a board for the camera: “Scene 34 take 1,” clack. The AD called for “action.” We waited as the Avatar came down the road, threw flowers at him and tried to touch him as he went past. We heard “cut,” and everyone stopped. The AD was beginning to lose his voice when someone handed him a megaphone. Two more “takes” of the scene were filmed. Then we were dismissed and went back to the tents.
After a while we were called again. The next scene picked up where the first one left off. We followed the Avatar to the Statue and threw flowers at him. In between each rehearsal and “take” we picked up the flowers and gave them to production assistants who replaced dirty flowers with clean ones. Before each scene assistants reminded extras to hide their eyeglasses. The action was supposed to take place before the modern era. During the scene set-up time a young girl was often a stand-in for the Avatar, the 12-year old boy.
In the scene we again followed the Avatar and threw flowers at him. At the base of the Statue the hero met the village elder, who welcomed him and explained that he was the reincarnation of the man the Statue represented.
We returned to the “village” for more filming. About 5 pm it began to rain. We were issued plastic ponchos and rubbers to protect our feet from the mud. It was Friday, so filming was wrapped up and everyone was sent home.
There were only two speaking parts in the scenes being filmed on the days we were there, played by actors chosen for their roles by audition. The part of Aang, the bald-headed titular Airbender, is played by 12-year-old Texas native Noah Ringer, who won the part by sending in a homemade DVD featuring his expert tae kwon do skills. He has a black belt in the sport. His head was shaved, and a design was painted from front to back on the middle of his head. At the end of the day he donned a wig and joined his parents. The village elder is played by a Japanese American actor from New York City. Aang’s arch rival is Prince Zuko, played by Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel, who also has a black belt in tae kwon do.
On Monday we were picked up by a van, arrived at the Mennonite Church and changed into our costumes. The hairdressers completed our transformation, and this time I managed to grab a quick breakfast before climbing into the van for the short ride to the set. We did not have to wait long before filming began. At the direction of the AD we filmed two more scenes. When he shouted “background action,” children ran across the road, a villager walked across the scene carrying firewood, a couple walked by carrying pots, before the camera focused on Aang. For some later shots the cameramen were mounted on a giant crane looking down on the action taking place below. The scene was repeated several times.
Although we extras were told not to speak to the actors or director, M. Night Shyamalan was very visible. At times he took a peek from behind the camera. Sometimes he was about six feet away from us. Tall and slim in torn jeans, he joked and put his arm around young Aang, who seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. In earlier scenes where Aang interacted with the extras throwing flowers at him, the young boy displayed an engaging personality. Shyamalan seemed to have an easy relationship with the actors and the movie assistants. His manner was quiet and informal, but there was no doubt who was in charge.
The next scene showed the villagers after they had been rescued from the evil doers. I was not in this scene. The AD told the group to imagine a big, big celebration, like the Yankees winning the World Series. A chorus of “Phillies” went up from the local baseball fans among the extras. The AD explained himself: “I’m from New York.”
The final scene involved the villain Prince Zuko, played by Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel. He is a tall compelling young man who looked very appealing until it was time to shoot. Dressed in full-length maroon cloaks, he and his two lieutenants put up their hoods, hiding their faces, and marched resolutely onto the scene. They looked very menacing. In this scene I was assigned to sweep the dirt floor of a hut while another woman stirred a pot of gruel and two men pretended to beat drums with their hands.
By the time this scene was completed it was about 5:00 pm. The assistant director thanked all the extras, saying “You did a fantastic job. Thank you.” We climbed into the vans to be taken to the church where we changed back into our own clothes and checked out with the people responsible for the vouchers so we could be paid. We were done.
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Now, the big question is; what to make of this? Clearly Asian actors have been cast, but in secondary and background roles. If this is Kyoshi Island (which it sounds like), it means that Asian Earth Kingdom civilians are going to be reaching out to touch and throwing flowers at their white hero Aang. This really disturbs me. Thoughts?