November 28, 2007
Beating a Dead Pony: Open Casting Call for Milk
Yeah, we plan on running this bit into the ground. And then some.
Well, well, well. Well. Huh. It looks like Mr. Van Sant is having yet another open casting call for his Harvey Milk biopic, Milk. Seeing as how are the Gena Rowlands of bit-part/background acting, we're going to attend the casting call. Again. Clearly, our picture taken at the last audition was either destroyed by a envious auditioners, or it was lost among the riff-raff of local flavor. It looks like we have to do it all over again. But this time we're a) totally for reals getting a speaking part, and b) snapping a picture of the Palme d'Or-winning auteur no matter what the cost. (Except jail, we're not going to jail. Or putting out.)
We hear, via our fine commenters, that you might have an edge at the casting call if you dress up circa San Francisco in 1970s. So don't forget the oversized sunglasses, poppers, and bushy chest hair, kids.
What: Milk Casting Call
When: Saturday, December 8
Where: The Sanchez School, 325 Sanchez (at 16th Street)
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more info, call 415-263-6877
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Bushy chest hair?
I am so in.
The voice mail says if you attended the first open call, you shouldn't go to this one, fyi.
oh. ouch. wow. that stings a bit.
well, i'm still totally going. (dude, that was burn.)
How long was the wait last time?
I gotta say though--your name does sound like a closeted 50's movie star; Troy Donahue, Tab Hunter, Rock Hudson, Brock Keeling. See? Totally fits.
Troy Donahue was hetero, actually (he was a charming neighbor of mine for a couple of years), but his movie star name definitely sounds closeted.
And forget the bushy hair. Just wear a plaid, cotton flannel shirt and some facial hair and you can play me and all the other Castro clones from the 1970s.
Troy Donahue was straight? You learn something new every day.
FYI: Casting for extra works usually happens on short notice -- maybe a few days before the shoot. If you haven't heard from anyone involved in the casting process yet, that's not unusual for extra work. Principle work is hard to find/ hard to get. If you're not a SAG member, chances are slim. You will probably be selected to do extra work, if its available.
Here are some tips on getting work for this film:
1. Keep your cell phone 'on',in anticipation of a call from production. (But NOT on the set.)
2. If they call, you must reply immediately, and commit yourself to work. DON'T say 'Oh, I'll get back to you on this, I need to check my calendar.'
3. If you do work, you must be willing to take directions, act professionally, show up 'on time', and recognize that you're a 'background' actor. This means: no diva behavior, no special demands with the production people, no complaining, and, most important, don't walk away from the set without getting permission from a PA (production assistant). I've witnessed excruciating screaming matches when they're about to shoot, but an 'extra' is missing from the shot. Don't do this to yourself.
4. Remember where you're positioned during the shooting, as 'take after take' is not uncommon and continuity is important.
4. Leave the principle actors alone. If you're hired as background, you're 'low on the totem pole'.
5. Hope this helps!