As soon as the rope holding the crowd back was lifted, the group spilled into the next room like a Tsunami hitting the beach, EVERYONE wanted to be sure that they had their chance to shine, to be discovered like a shiny gem that had been washed ashore... We all squeezed past the narrow opening like minnows into a seining net… each holding our breath hoping that the gauntlet of the thin red velvet rope wouldn’t be dropped in front of them, forever excluding them from their brush with destiny… Once beyond the rope we once again spread out and filled the next holding area to capacity. In front of us was a podium and microphone and standing behind the podium was none other than Joan Philo of "Joan Philo Casting" Joan was from the windy city, shy town, Chicago Illinois… Joan was all smiles when she met the group. She took a deep breath, smiled, and began her performance... She was on stage in front of her audience, giving a performance I am sure she had given at least a thousand times that day… and most assuredly more like a hundred thousand times over before she was through casting for just this flick…
We all listened in eager anticipation, and hung on her every word…
Buckle up, we're due for an amazing ride! Are you Ready? Here we go...
She went on to give the group the following run down of what we were all there to be a part of… To make history and be a part of the Universal Film "Public Enemies" ... Public Enemies is a "period" feature film, circa early 1930s. You know what this means period hair styles and wardrobe fittings -- guys please keep your hair long -- do not cut it!! Women will need to have period hair styles -- Everyone that will be cast will need to attend a wardrobe fitting. The fitting usually takes a few hours -- you'll be fit in an outfit and also be looked at by the hair department. Haircuts will most likely happen at the wardrobe fitting. The fitting usually happens a week or so before your day on set.I am looking for a core group of extras (non-speaking roles) that will be able to work many days. So let me know if this might be you! I'm also searching for people that might be available for one or two days. These are paid extras positions. Rate TBD.Being that this is a period film we need to find people that are able to fit into the period wardrobe. There are size requirements!MEN need to be 6'1" and under and WOMEN 5'8" and under (no larger than a size 12), all ages (including children) in order to be considered.*KIDS: I only consider casting kids that have current work permits on file with Joan Philo Casting. Casting children goes down fast. I mean super fast. They might call me the night before a shoot and ask for a child of a certain age. I run to my kids' files and pull any child that has a work permit. Don't miss out because your child doesn't have a work permit! (I know that getting a work permit takes effort and I appreciate that this is done in the hopes of getting cast, thank you!)We start shooting in mid-March and shoot through June 2008. I will be holding open casting calls soon! Stay tuned...
She also provided all of us aspiring actors with a bit of advice to us all… that film shoots can be exceedingly long and boring, and that patience is a virtue. "Never ask on set, or at a wardrobe fitting, when you can go home -- this is quite the uncomfortable question and will make you look ill-prepared,' she notes. "Please don't ask."
And with that, she smiled and waved her hand with a wide sweeping motion, like Glenda the Good Witch from the Wizard of OZ, and set us all free to move to the next and final holding area… Casting Photos.
Here we were given a number, asked to step in front of a white screen, and instructed not to smile as a few photos were taken of us. Some folks were simply asked to leave immediately after the photo, while others, like myself were asked to stand to the side… and hold our numbers in front of us. Then after a few minutes of just standing there, we were told to exit in the back, and drop our "numbers" in a box on the way out.
And just like that it was over... All of the waiting and anticipation of this day was done. I had traveled through the bowels of a casting call for a major motion picture, and was being ejected from the process like so much waste after a fat producers lunch...
Now all that was left was the wait…
Friday, June 26, 2009
February in Wisconsin can be Mighty, Mighty...
COLD.
Date line February 16 2008, Madison Wisconsin It was a frigid February morning, the day I got out of prison…
I had heard the news about a month earlier that there was to be an open audition for movie extras being held at the Monona Terrace Convention center in Madison… Just my luck, I was headed in that direction. After being sprung from prison, I was given a parting meal, and put on a bus back home. Something about the outside food didn't set well with me... Maybe it was just nerves about what was yet to come.... Either way, it was going to be a long ride home... We finally arrived in Madison around 2:30, I got off the bus and stretched my legs. It was good to be free of the confines of prison and bus... I decided to head across town and find out what this acting gig was all about. After all, my pockets were empty… and I didn’t have so much as two plug nickels to rub together... What did I have to lose? Luckily for me, the clothes I had walked into prison with, were waiting for me when I got out. A Vintage 30's suit and tie, overcoat and even my well worn felt fedora… I was dressed to the nines… My brown wingtips could have used a good shine, but nothing the back of my pants legs wouldn’t help rectify. I was just happy that the leather on the top wasn’t as worn as it was on the bottom… as I seemed to suck in every ounce of winter wet that I came into contact with through the quarter sized holes in soles of my shoes…. The sun was setting and the chill was getting worse. The winds picked up the closer I got to the lake, and the light snow whirled around my head and heals as I walked against the wind… With my head down and fedora pulled tight, I ignored the honks and waves of people passing by… I was on a mission… and I had just a half hour left to make the audition… Stepping through the doors of the Monona Terrace, was like stepping back in time. I was ushered down stairs to the lower level of the Monona Terrace. The lower I went, the more it felt as if I was truly walking back in time... It was as if I had stepped off of the bus, and never left the hay day of the early 1930's. There were Guys and Dolls everywhere decked out and looking every inch they way they should. There was no mistaking it, I knew I had come to the right place. I just followed the wave of people as everyone made a mad dash toward a room at the far end of hall, opposite the stairwell we had all just descended. They scurried on in mad rush, only to then vanish from sight… I started to wonder where they were all disappearing to, but needn't wonder to long… for as I rounded the corner I ran smack into a great wall of people… it was like the line for the soup kitchen… Only I was at the wrong end of the long, long, line. According to my sources, they had a time limit set on this job… I felt like I was pressing my luck... Would everything simply disappear when the clock struck 4... Like that carriage in the Cinderella story, I was afraid at 4 O'clock on the dot, every thing was going to disappear… time was running out… I pulled out my pocket watch, and flipped the brass lid. It was 3:40 and it appears that I had just made it past the doors in time. Now if I could just pull this off… Rubbing my chin I started to second guess my decision to turn down that shave this morning…
Date line February 16 2008, Madison Wisconsin It was a frigid February morning, the day I got out of prison…
I had heard the news about a month earlier that there was to be an open audition for movie extras being held at the Monona Terrace Convention center in Madison… Just my luck, I was headed in that direction. After being sprung from prison, I was given a parting meal, and put on a bus back home. Something about the outside food didn't set well with me... Maybe it was just nerves about what was yet to come.... Either way, it was going to be a long ride home... We finally arrived in Madison around 2:30, I got off the bus and stretched my legs. It was good to be free of the confines of prison and bus... I decided to head across town and find out what this acting gig was all about. After all, my pockets were empty… and I didn’t have so much as two plug nickels to rub together... What did I have to lose? Luckily for me, the clothes I had walked into prison with, were waiting for me when I got out. A Vintage 30's suit and tie, overcoat and even my well worn felt fedora… I was dressed to the nines… My brown wingtips could have used a good shine, but nothing the back of my pants legs wouldn’t help rectify. I was just happy that the leather on the top wasn’t as worn as it was on the bottom… as I seemed to suck in every ounce of winter wet that I came into contact with through the quarter sized holes in soles of my shoes…. The sun was setting and the chill was getting worse. The winds picked up the closer I got to the lake, and the light snow whirled around my head and heals as I walked against the wind… With my head down and fedora pulled tight, I ignored the honks and waves of people passing by… I was on a mission… and I had just a half hour left to make the audition… Stepping through the doors of the Monona Terrace, was like stepping back in time. I was ushered down stairs to the lower level of the Monona Terrace. The lower I went, the more it felt as if I was truly walking back in time... It was as if I had stepped off of the bus, and never left the hay day of the early 1930's. There were Guys and Dolls everywhere decked out and looking every inch they way they should. There was no mistaking it, I knew I had come to the right place. I just followed the wave of people as everyone made a mad dash toward a room at the far end of hall, opposite the stairwell we had all just descended. They scurried on in mad rush, only to then vanish from sight… I started to wonder where they were all disappearing to, but needn't wonder to long… for as I rounded the corner I ran smack into a great wall of people… it was like the line for the soup kitchen… Only I was at the wrong end of the long, long, line. According to my sources, they had a time limit set on this job… I felt like I was pressing my luck... Would everything simply disappear when the clock struck 4... Like that carriage in the Cinderella story, I was afraid at 4 O'clock on the dot, every thing was going to disappear… time was running out… I pulled out my pocket watch, and flipped the brass lid. It was 3:40 and it appears that I had just made it past the doors in time. Now if I could just pull this off… Rubbing my chin I started to second guess my decision to turn down that shave this morning…
Stardust: a feeling or impression of romance, magic, or ethereality
Also the title of a 2007 Paramount movie staring Claire Danes with Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Sienna Miller and Charlie Cox.
it all started with "Stardust" the movie... (However, I think there was a bit o' magic involved as well)...
A friend had told me about the movie Stardust, she thought it was a really good movie, and one that I would enjoy. She said it was filled with magic, myth and legend... Since the movie was released in 2007, I knew I could get it through my local library. When I checked the online database, they did have a copy, but because it was still a popular enough movie, it was not currently available for checkout. So I decided to put the movie on hold, and wait for its arrival. In the mean time, there was a behind the scenes book related to the movie available to check out... and it was in the pages of this book, that I was bitten by the desire to be a part of a movie.
The book was called " Stardust: The Visual Companion " and it was all about the filming and conception of ideas behind the movie. including set design, costumes and character development... I was fascinated by all that went into the making of the movie. Even before seeing the movie, I was enthralled by the process of making a movie... I was indeed "hooked"
One of the most intriguing features of the book was the chapter that covered the costume development. The movie was set in the 1800's, so the designer worked to keep both a period feel for the authenticity, but then also added a surreal fantasy twist to them... I remember looking at the designs, and the final costume telling my Friend: "I should have been and actor, I would love to dress up in all these cool costumes"...
Two days later she came to me and asked "What are you doing next Saturday?" She then went on to tell me that there was to be an open casting call for movie extras for the new Johnny Depp movie "Public Enemies" She said YOU HAVE to GO...
it all started with "Stardust" the movie... (However, I think there was a bit o' magic involved as well)...
A friend had told me about the movie Stardust, she thought it was a really good movie, and one that I would enjoy. She said it was filled with magic, myth and legend... Since the movie was released in 2007, I knew I could get it through my local library. When I checked the online database, they did have a copy, but because it was still a popular enough movie, it was not currently available for checkout. So I decided to put the movie on hold, and wait for its arrival. In the mean time, there was a behind the scenes book related to the movie available to check out... and it was in the pages of this book, that I was bitten by the desire to be a part of a movie.
The book was called " Stardust: The Visual Companion " and it was all about the filming and conception of ideas behind the movie. including set design, costumes and character development... I was fascinated by all that went into the making of the movie. Even before seeing the movie, I was enthralled by the process of making a movie... I was indeed "hooked"
One of the most intriguing features of the book was the chapter that covered the costume development. The movie was set in the 1800's, so the designer worked to keep both a period feel for the authenticity, but then also added a surreal fantasy twist to them... I remember looking at the designs, and the final costume telling my Friend: "I should have been and actor, I would love to dress up in all these cool costumes"...
Two days later she came to me and asked "What are you doing next Saturday?" She then went on to tell me that there was to be an open casting call for movie extras for the new Johnny Depp movie "Public Enemies" She said YOU HAVE to GO...
One Week and Counting...
Its hard to believe that the Public Enemies movie is set to be released in less than one week.
It has been a 16 month wild and crazy ride... One casting call, and one night of a dream come true, followed by several months of eager anticipation... have all lead up to this!
In a mere 6 days, at the local premier of Public Enemies, I will find out whether or not I made it to the silver screen in my very first major movie debut as a movie extra in a Major Motion Picture... "Public Enemies".
How did I get here... Well that is what this Blog was intended to convey. However... there has been one little disclaimer... (there is always a disclaimer...)
Partially due to contractual language, and more so my fear of jeopardizing my once in a life time chance to participate in the filming of this movie, I have done my best to live up to, and abide by, the employment rules set forth by Philco Casting company.
As a condition of employment with the Joan Philco Casting Company, all extras were asked, and required to sign an agreement and code of conduct to participate in the filming of Public Enemies.
We were all provided a set of rules to live by and should we be cast as an extra in the film Public Enemies, we were asked to honor those rules... Including, but not limited to, not bringing cameras on to the set, releasing information to the media regarding the filming, and utmost, do not in anyway distract the actors... And in exchange for agreeing to the above, we would be provided the opportunity to be a part of a Michael Mann film...
To which I am proud to report, I have managed to uphold them all.
One only has to do a search of "Public Enemies" to discover that this has not always been the case across the board for all extras. There are plenty of behind the scenes photos of the stars, as well as the extras, and information regarding what had happened on the set on the day of shooting.
Not so for me… I have even waited until now to blog more about my experience so as to not break the confidence and trust that the Joan Philo Casting company has entrusted me with…
With that said, and with numerous pre release screenings, an unofficial premiere in Chicago, and the Official world premiere in Los Angeles a few days ago, I felt that it was now safe to continue to write about my experience as a movie extra in the movie "Public Enemies" set to be released nation wide on 7/1/09.
So how did I get here...
Perhaps I should start at the beginning...
I am a Public Enemies Extra...
And this is my confession...
Follow along as I recall my story.
It all started when...
It has been a 16 month wild and crazy ride... One casting call, and one night of a dream come true, followed by several months of eager anticipation... have all lead up to this!
In a mere 6 days, at the local premier of Public Enemies, I will find out whether or not I made it to the silver screen in my very first major movie debut as a movie extra in a Major Motion Picture... "Public Enemies".
How did I get here... Well that is what this Blog was intended to convey. However... there has been one little disclaimer... (there is always a disclaimer...)
Partially due to contractual language, and more so my fear of jeopardizing my once in a life time chance to participate in the filming of this movie, I have done my best to live up to, and abide by, the employment rules set forth by Philco Casting company.
As a condition of employment with the Joan Philco Casting Company, all extras were asked, and required to sign an agreement and code of conduct to participate in the filming of Public Enemies.
We were all provided a set of rules to live by and should we be cast as an extra in the film Public Enemies, we were asked to honor those rules... Including, but not limited to, not bringing cameras on to the set, releasing information to the media regarding the filming, and utmost, do not in anyway distract the actors... And in exchange for agreeing to the above, we would be provided the opportunity to be a part of a Michael Mann film...
To which I am proud to report, I have managed to uphold them all.
One only has to do a search of "Public Enemies" to discover that this has not always been the case across the board for all extras. There are plenty of behind the scenes photos of the stars, as well as the extras, and information regarding what had happened on the set on the day of shooting.
Not so for me… I have even waited until now to blog more about my experience so as to not break the confidence and trust that the Joan Philo Casting company has entrusted me with…
With that said, and with numerous pre release screenings, an unofficial premiere in Chicago, and the Official world premiere in Los Angeles a few days ago, I felt that it was now safe to continue to write about my experience as a movie extra in the movie "Public Enemies" set to be released nation wide on 7/1/09.
So how did I get here...
Perhaps I should start at the beginning...
I am a Public Enemies Extra...
And this is my confession...
Follow along as I recall my story.
It all started when...
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