Best and worst: Being an extra on 'Leatherheads'

Work days that start as early as 4:30 a.m.

A hot day on a train.

A cold day in a stadium.

Hours spent waiting for filming to begin.

And those 1920s shoes can be downright uncomfortable.

Not to mention the rules: Do not approach the stars. Do not engage them in small talk. Do not ask for autographs.

None of that squelched Laura Godwin's enthusiasm during six weeks as an extra in "Leatherheads," the romantic football comedy starring George Clooney, Renée Zellweger and John Krasinski.

"I was completely enthralled and fascinated," she says.

Filming on "Leatherheads," which Clooney also directs, is expected to wrap up today in Statesville after four months in the Carolinas, including Greensboro.

Godwin, 34, has returned to her real life in Trinity as a chocolatier, wife and mother.

"It's definitely hard to get back into the routine, when you had someone doing your hair and makeup and feeding you," she admits. "I had to make my own coffee this morning."

The film hired hundreds of extras such as Godwin for nonspeaking roles.

Greensboro attorney Steve Schlosser played a newspaper reporter, Army officer, businessman and fan.

Local actor Stephen Kay played a bartender.

Anthony "Clay" Brewington of Kernersville appeared in a lobby and stadium crowds.

Godwin was filmed in a train, in stadiums and in the press corps.

Now she has to wait until "Leatherheads" hits screens on Dec. 7 to see whether she survived editing.

Here's how she describes her first stint on a movie set.

Why she wanted to be an extra: "I thought, 'Why not? It would be fun to step outside my normal box in life and see what actually goes into making a movie.'

"The cattle call was Jan. 8 in Charlotte. We were in line with professionals and their glossy 8x10s (photos), and here's (me) with a cropped picture."

How she got the job: "They told me the reason I was chosen was that I was tall, skinny, had a face for a bob and was willing to cut my hair into a 1920s bob."

A typical day on the set: "You check in, get your paperwork and take it to the wardrobe truck, where they give you your costume. Then you go to hair and makeup.

"You have breakfast and sit in the holding area until they call you. They break for lunch from about 1:30 to 2, then you have touch-ups and work until about 6:30 to 7.

"The longest days were at Memorial Stadium in Charlotte. My call times were at

4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m., and I had an hour-and-a-half drive. We worked until 7 p.m. ... so I did not see my house in the light for those seven days."

Her first day on the set: "It was hot, and we were on a train in Tobaccoville with no air conditioning. We would go forward for 1.9 miles, turn back to the starting point and reset the cameras. It was very tight quarters, with all the camera equipment and the hustle and bustle.

"And there was George Clooney, right up in the front."

On Clooney: "He's shorter in stature than I imagined — I guess about 5-9 or 5-10 — and extremely slender. He was very jovial and very professional.

"In the train at one point, we were standing shoulder to shoulder. I listened to what he was saying, but I didn't approach him. I liked my job as an extra, so I stood there and kept my mouth shut.

"In your contract it says, 'Do not approach the stars.'

"Renée was extremely pleasant, extremely down to earth. She even used the extras' port a-potty."

Best day: "In Spencer, I was a passenger in a 1922 Model T. We were out in a field and the train is going by with the football stars and Renée.

We were supposed to ride alongside the train, blowing kisses and yelling and waving at John Krasinski's character. It was all they could do not to laugh."

Worst day: "The first Monday in Charlotte (at the stadium), it was very cold and windy. They couldn't film scenes on the field. They put us in the stands and filmed the fans. That was cold, nasty weather to be sitting out there. They were handing out modern-day hand warmers."

Most embarrassing moment: "None. I think I got asked back because I would show up on time and keep my mouth shut."

The pay: "We did get paid, but my profits went into the gas tank for all the driving I had to do."

The food: "It was top of the line. The caterer is one who works with George exclusively. We had choices of meats, fresh salads and desserts. Someone said it probably cost more to feed us than to pay us."

On the whole experience: "It was fascinating to see the amount of effort it takes and the enormous number of people working.

"At times, it was boring when you sit in holding and read and work crossword puzzles. But I had the best time.

"Now that I have done it once, the bug has bitten and I want to do it again and again."