Uncle Baby Billy Was My Boss: Life on the Set of “Teenjus”—And the Unexpected Joys of Being in the Background
Uncle Baby Billy was my boss last summer. Sort of. 😄 One casting call turned into a summer on TV and film sets—and what I learned behind the scenes totally surprised me…
Last summer, I was a production assistant on the set of Baby Billy Freeman's epic movie Teenjus.
Well, sort of.
If you caught season 4 of The Righteous Gemstones, you know that Teenjus is the hilariously chaotic Jesus movie cooked up by the one and only Uncle Baby Billy, played by the inimitable Walton Goggins. And if you watched the finale closely, you might’ve seen me 🙋🏻♀️ in the thick of that glorious mess. While I wasn’t actually on the crew, I was on set as a background actor playing a Teenjus production assistant, dutifully taking cues from the director, creator, and star himself: Uncle Baby Billy. It was surreal, silly, and an absolute blast.
We filmed at a quarry on a sweltering summer day—mud everywhere, sweat pouring, and spirits surprisingly high. There was a real donkey on set (of course), and a cast of teens playing disciples who totally wowed me with their focus and listening skills. I met a bunch of fun, fascinating people, and got to witness Walton Goggins in full Uncle Baby Billy mode—pure chaotic brilliance. Danny McBride was behind the camera, cracking jokes between takes, setting a tone that was loose, joyful, and full of laughter. Everyone was sweaty, stomping through muck, and somehow having the best time. It was ridiculous—in the best way.
And that wasn’t my only Gemstones moment. I popped into several scenes during the final season of the show, which I genuinely love. You can also spot me as:
- A missionary in Uganda
- A Gemstones Salvation Center backstage worker
- A front-row attendee at the Top Christ Following Man Awards, sitting just a couple of seats down from the main cast—while Brandon played a camera operator for the televised ceremony!
Being a background actor was not on my 2024 bingo card, but it ended up being a big part of my year. And it all started because I wanted to get my handsome pit bull, Marty, booked as a dog actor. 🐶🎬
How It All Started
Did I get into background acting while I was living in Los Angeles and working in the entertainment industry?
Nope.
I got into it here, in Wilmington, North Carolina of all places. Which might sound surprising—until you learn that Wilmington has long been known as Hollywood East thanks to its vibrant history of film and television production.
The city’s screen legacy kicked off in the 1980s when Dino De Laurentiis established DEG Studios (which became EUE/Screen Gems Studios and is now Cinespace Studios), bringing movies like Firestarter and Blue Velvet to the area. Since then, Wilmington has been the backdrop for cult classics like Empire Records and Weekend at Bernie’s, and blockbuster hits like Iron Man 3. It also played a starring role in teen television history—Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill were both filmed here.
Today, Wilmington remains a sought-after production hub, with two major studio sound stages and a talented local crew base. You can spot the city in everything from streaming dramas to network procedurals to prestige cable series.
So when Amazon MGM announced they were filming Merv (working title), a Zooey Deschanel romcom, right here in town—and they were doing a casting call for dogs—I submitted Marty’s headshot. But in a twist of fate, I got booked instead.
(Poor Marty. Maybe next time. I think the casting director knew that Marty's cuteness would've overshadowed the leads!)
I had so much fun on set (dressed as a strawberry cake 🍓🍰) that I decided to stay open to additional casting calls—and it snowballed from there, with gigs on The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Waterfront (a new Netflix series coming this June), and, of course, The Righteous Gemstones!
What I Learned from Being in the Background
What started as a fluke—a dog audition that turned into a human gig—quickly became something I genuinely looked forward to. Over the summer, I found myself working on multiple productions and not just enjoying the experience but learning from it.
In fact, background acting turned out to be a surprising source of rest, perspective, and joy—especially for someone used to being in a constant hustle.
Here are a few unexpected takeaways from my time in the background:
1. Sometimes it’s a relief not to be the decision-maker.
As an entrepreneur and comms strategist, I spend most of my days in the driver’s seat—leading projects, making calls, solving problems. But on set? I was told where to stand, when to walk, and when to sit down. I found it oddly freeing. Someone dressed me. Someone fed me. Someone else was in charge, and all I had to do was listen, follow direction, and blend in. It was a welcome break from the mental load of constant decision-making and problem-solving.
2. Stillness can be productive.
There’s a lot of waiting involved in background work. A lot. Sometimes hours go by between takes. Instead of getting restless, I leaned into it. I brought a book. I people-watched. I journaled. I got quiet. It was a nice contrast to the fast pace of daily life—and a reminder that slowness has its own value.
3. Set life has perks.
Let’s talk about craft services. As a foodie and a snack aficionado, "crafty" is what I live for! There’s something truly delightful about being handed a hot breakfast wrap at 6 a.m. or grabbing a mid-morning snack from a fully stocked table of treats. Meals were catered, coffee flowed freely, and there was always someone checking to make sure you had what you needed. Between the food and the organized chaos, it felt like summer camp—but with walkie-talkies, wardrobe changes, and early call times. In a season when I was craving ease and lightness, this kind of behind-the-scenes care felt luxurious—and deeply joyful.
4. There’s community in the quiet corners.
I met so many interesting people—retirees, actors, students, artists, and other curious souls—all showing up to spend the day playing pretend. We swapped stories between takes, shared snacks, and laughed about the weirdness of the job. It reminded me that connection often happens when you’re not trying too hard.
5. You’re never too old or experienced to try something new.
Even though I spent a decade working in the entertainment industry and once starred in a reality TV episode in my twenties (a story for another time), background acting was a totally new experience for me. And I loved it. Trying something unfamiliar just for fun—without an agenda or outcome—can be its own kind of success.
Final Thoughts
Being a background actor gave me something I didn’t know I needed: a break from being “on.” A chance to observe, listen, play, and be part of the magic without having to carry the scene. It was restful, meaningful, and surprisingly joyful. 🥰
Also, watching a production unfold from the sidelines gave me a fresh appreciation for teamwork and leadership. Every person on set—from the director to the PA—has a role to play, and it’s fascinating to see how all the moving parts come together. It was a reminder that even as an entrepreneur and leader, I don’t have to do everything myself. Great things happen and creativity flourishes when you trust people to do their jobs and focus on your own role.
And if Uncle Baby Billy ever calls me back for Teenjus 2, I’m in.