"My Role in Sex and the City: The Movie"
By: Deirdre Uria
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We are lucky enough to have talked with David Montalvo, a Public Relations Senior Account Executive by day and an independent artist, actor, and author, by night. He can be seen in an extra role in the upcoming film "Sex and the City: The Movie." Montalvo shared a bit about his acting, offered some spoilers of the film, and got us excited to see the movie on May 30th. Enjoy!
Q: How long have you been acting?
A: I started acting in front of audiences when I was 12 or 13 years old in middle school, during winter productions. But, I actually started performing at a much younger age as a dancer. I remember in 5th grade when I taught my choreography teacher the choreography to Madonna’s Vogue for our dance troupe to perform! That was the moment I fell in love with performance in general.
Q: How did you become an extra in this movie?
A: Becoming an extra for “Sex and the City: The Movie” was both awful and exhilarating. One morning my colleague from my former PR agency, who had seen me perform in an off-Broadway show here in New York, handed me a section of Metro New York where a pubic casting call for extras was listed.
On the day of the casting call, my friend and I arrived early – along with the rest of Manhattan and outer boroughs! The line seemed to wrap around several blocks and we were at the end of it. It was a hot and humid day when we arrived to the line and, just before we entered for our chance to meet the casting directors, it began to rain. Then it started to pour. Headshots got ruined, along with our hair, outfits, and confidence.
After the casting call, months passed by with no word from “Sex and the City: The Movie.” And randomly, throughout the city, I would meet people, real actors who made a living from it, say that no one they knew seemed to be getting called for an extra role. I began to worry as December approached, the month that many of us waiting to be extras knew would be the final filming month for the movie.
Then, on a Monday in mid-November, I got a cryptic call from a casting director. She asked me if I would be available for a “Sex and the City: The Movie” scene being shot on Monday of the following week. I said yes!
Q: What scene were you in?
A: There’s a remarkable and pivotal scene that takes place outside of Buddakan on 9th Avenue in the Meatpacking District. It’s a club scene where nearly all the cast is celebrating an event that is not made clear to the extras. In character, Kim Cattrall and Chris Noth are puffing on cigars. Cynthia Nixon is inside the club. “Steve,” “Smith Jerrod,” and “Harry” are all on set as well. My extra role is that of a hip, young, and trendy Meatpacking club-goer.
The scene spoiler is that as this circle of friends are celebrating at the club, Miranda is inside Buddakan and the rest are outside having a cigar, chatting. Then “Steve” appears, walking up to the group outside. Everyone looks disappointed, especially Samantha. She tells “Steve” that she will go inside and get Miranda. Steve waits while everyone follows Samantha in. Then, Samantha and Miranda walk out, Miranda appearing hurt and angry. Samantha asks if she should stay with her but Miranda declines. Samantha walks back in, looking back to Miranda to assure her support. Then, “Steve” starts to apologize. Miranda looks away, fighting back tears. As “Steve” continues to apologize, though not really saying for what reasons, Miranda finally bursts out with “You broke us!”
And that was the end of that scene and my extra role, at about 6:00AM.
Q: Did you have fun?
A: Sitting next to Cynthia in the holding room, hearing the word “Action!” while in front of the camera, seeing Kim do what we all know she does best, and feeling like I am now a part of the American and, most importantly, the New York legacy that is “Sex and the City” is utterly thrilling and surreal. The experience has become a priceless badge of honor.
Fun would be seeing “Sex and the City: The Movie” on opening night; being a part of “Sex and the City: The Movie” is something much, much better!
Q: Who is your favorite of the four ladies? Why?
A: I think we all rotate among the ladies as to who is our favorite. When I was single and partied more, I was keen on Samantha. Then, as I started to write my first book on first love, I took to Carrie. When I evolved from my first love, I became drawn to the optimism of Charlotte. Today, for whatever reasons, there seem to be these days that I am drawn to the person and character of Cynthia Nixon – though I secretly still like Carrie, namely, I’m sure, because I occasionally spot Sarah Jessica Parker in the West Village where we both live.
Q: Can you dish on some of the outfits?
A: Fashion was totally “Sex and the City” as we know it! Kim Cattrall wore a fabulous, sexy black cocktail dress with a one shoulder strap. Cynthia Nixon wore a metallic, earth-tone bronze dress that reminded me a bit of a modernized and improved bridesmaid’s dress, but elegant, not hideous.
Q: Were you a fan of the TV show?
A: When I moved to New York almost 3 years ago, the show helped me manage the intensity and the speed of Manhattan. Everything and everyone is in constant motion here and I believe the show helped me cope with this new dizzying lifestyle.
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