Standing a few feet away from actors Denzel Washington and Rosario Dawson is not how most Penn State students would expect to spend a cold fall morning in Centre County.

But that is exactly what a group of theatre students did Nov. 6 in Milesburg when they got the chance to become extras on the set of "Unstoppable," a feature film starring Washington, Dawson and Chris Pine that just completed shooting in Pennsylvania.

"It was intoxicating," Ashley Morocco (senior-theatre) said. "The energy was so intense -- you have all these people buzzing around you. It was electric and alive."

Morocco and her fellow students attended the set as part of Theatre 497C (Acting for the Camera). Professor Charles Dumas, a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) member, said he knew about the filming in the area and inquired as to whether extras were needed.

"The reason it happens is because there aren't too many professional actors," Dumas said of the area. "They would have to bring people in from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia or New York. For students to be able to do this is rare."

Preston Queenan (senior-integrative arts) said he and some of the other students were cast as extras in a press conference scene that consisted of about 400 people. Their responsibilities included clapping and appearing excited.

Despite the excess of people, Morocco was surprised at how natural it felt.

"I didn't know what to expect at all," she said. "I knew we were filming outside, but there was an intimate feeling."

Queenan had never been on such a large movie set before but was also surprised at its appearance.

"I was kind of shocked at how normal it was," he said. "It was in the middle of Pennsylvania -- nothing flashy, just basic country land."

Morocco said that although the scene she was part of will last for only about two or three minutes in the final cut, filming took about eight hours.

"It was freezing that day, and we had to be there at 6:30 a.m. -- it does kind of wear you out a bit," she said. "But it was a satisfied feeling at the end of the day. My energy was through the roof, and when they called 'wrap,' I thought I could keep going."

One student, however, was lucky enough to have a more individual responsibility.

When Christie Stawicki (senior-theatre) arrived on set, she was told she would be a stand-in and was immediately placed on a shuttle.

Her job included standing in for an actress when she wasn't on set so that the film crew could reassemble it. Stawicki said she was asked to move on with the crew to other cities to continue the job but chose not to in order to continue her senior year.

Being so close to the principle filming gave Stawicki an appreciation for what happens behind the camera. She said she was able to realize how much work the crew actually does outside of what happens on screen.

Stawicki was also presented with the opportunity to meet some of the actors, including Washington, who she described as friendly but focused.

One of her favorite parts, however, was meeting director Tony Scott.

"He kept making sure I was comfortable," she said. "It was a warm environment."

While just a few feet away from the film's principle actors, Queenan said the extras were always expected to maintain a professional attitude.

"We are not supposed to be fans," he said, noting that this was the actors' job and that they shouldn't be disturbed.

Queenan and his fellow students were, however, given the opportunity to speak with actors who had multiple experiences as stand-ins.

"I talked to one woman who was kind of like a professional extra," Morocco said. "It was really interesting to see her take on things -- finding movies that are filming and making her way with that."

At the end of the day, the students were most excited about getting hours towards a SAG membership.

"They used them at a quasi-union rate," Dumas said. "In order to get into the union, you need three days."

Queenan saw the one day he received as a stepping stone for his career, and while he knows he has to continue to work hard to receive full SAG status, he is excited to have the proof.

"I have it in my wallet," he said. "I take it everywhere with me."

Morocco agrees with Queenan's enthusiasm, noting that even before graduating, she will already be a third of the way to getting a SAG card.

Dumas said he was pleased with how the experience panned out for his students.

"What I was very proud of was the students acting professionally," he said. "Some people said it changed their lives."

Morocco, especially, was able to walk away with an experience she will never forget.

"It was such a creative atmosphere," she said, "and I though to myself, 'This is real. This is legit.' It's happening right in front of you."