Extra Casting

Universal Studios direct-to-DVD film 'Beethoven Saves Christmas' casting 1,000 extras

The beautiful and talented Kim Rhodes is starring opposite Beethoven

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Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Original Pictures are teamed up filming the 7th movie in the family comedy Beethoven film series. The casting directors are seeking upwards of 1,000 people of all ages including children to appear the film as background performers.

John Putch is directing his second film for Universal Home Entertainment. He previously directed Universal's direct-to-DVD move "America Pie: Book of Love". Putch began his career as an actor in 1973, and began directing films and television series in 1985. His TV directing credits include "Scrubs ," "Ugly Betty," "10 Things I Hate About You," "Zeke and Luther," "Cougar Town," "Friends with Benefits" among many others. Some of his film directing credits include " Waiting to Act," "Intrepid," "Pursuit of Happiness," "Mojave Phone Booth," "Route 30," and "Route 30, Too!".

Two Disney Channel stars are playing lead roles in "Beethoven Saves Christmas". Kim Rhodes was a series regular on "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody", and Kyle Massey was the star of "Cory in the House". Canadian actor Munro Chambers, who plays Eli Goldsworthy on the television series "Degrassi: The Next Generation" is co-starring. And Primetime Emmy nominated actor Robert Picardo plays a lead role.

Here is what the extras casting director is seeking:

• All ages, male and female, any ethnicity.

• Families, moms, dads, kids, grandmas, grandpas.

• Ice skaters.

• People to play attendees and participants in a Santa Claus parade.

• People to play Christmas shoppers.

• Must be willing to work mostly exterior winter scenes.

• Must be willing to work on a set where dog(s) are in most scenes.

• Must commit to 1-2 complete days of filming.

• Must be located within a reasonable driving distance to Winnipeg.

• Must be legally able to work in Canada.

There will possibly be upwards of 1,000 extras hired for these scenes. Filming will take place on Monday through Fridays only. A typical day of shooting is between 10-12 hours. Pay rate is $11.00 per hour when hired.

If you fit the criteria above and are interested in being considered to work on the film, here are the steps to take:

• Download the extras application form HERE.

• Fill out the form and attach a color recent color photo.

• Photo does NOT have to be professional, can be a snapshot.

• Include all contact information, including your location.

• Specify if you can ice skate and own skates.

Send all of the above to the following ASAP:

Kari Rieger
Kari Casting
Beethoven Saves Christmas Extras
PO Box 68043
RPO Osborne Village
Winnipeg, MB R3L 2V9
Canada

Filming is taking place 15 miles north of Winnipeg in the small town of Stonewall, Manitoba. Shooting will continue through March 18, 2011.

Principal Actor Casting

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Los Angeles:

Jeff Gerrard
Beethoven Saves Christmas
4704 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
Suite 202
Studio City, CA 91607

Winnipeg:

Jim Heber
Beethoven Saves Christmas Casting
PO Box 1907
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R2
Canada

Extras Casting

Winnipeg:

Kari Rieger
Beethoven Saves Christmas Extras
PO Box 68043
RPO Osborne Village
Winnipeg, MB R3L 2V9
Canada

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

Beethoven Saves Christmas
Winnipeg Production Office
889 Erin
Winnipeg MB R3G 2W6
Canada

Universal Studios Home Entertainment
10 Universal City Plaza
33rd Floor
Universal City, CA 91608

Original Pictures
191 Lombard Ave
Suite 602
Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X1
Canada

Producers:

Jeff Freilich

Director:

John Putch

Starring:

Kim Rhodes
Robert Picardo
Kyle Massey
Munro Chambers

Story:

The big lovable Saint Bernard Beethoven is back again for another warm family fun romp. This time he saves Christmas. Beethoven is shipped off to participate in a set in a non-descript quaint American small-town Christmas parade. A youngster named Mason is assigned the responsibility of keeping an eye on Beethoven. Together, they get into to all kinds of doggone mischief.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a Division of NBC Universal.

Columbia Pictures feature film 'Men In Black 3' casting background performers in New York

"Men In Black 3" is currently on hold due to script rewrites.

Shooting will continue on March 23, 2011.

Men In Black III will hit theaters May 25, 2012
Sony Pictures

The feature film Men In Black III is currently filming in New York and the extras casting director is currently seeking the following:

• SAG Caucasian women to play 1960s young, attractive secretary types.
• Must be available for filming between February 28 and March 9.
• Must have natural-looking hair with no obvious highlights or roots.
• Please do not submit if you've previously worked on the film.

Email a recent picture and contact information to mib3@gwcnyc.com

Write "SAG Secretary Types" in the subject line of your email.

Men In Black III is being directed and co-produced by Primetime Emmy Award winning Barry Sonnenfeld, who has helmed such films as Get Shorty, Wild Wild West, and of course the first two installments of Men In Black. Steven Spielberg is also on board as co-producer with Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald of the Los Angeles based Parkes/MacDonald Productions.

Ethan Cohen has penned the script, and rumors of him being replaced by David Koepp were untrue, although Koepp did some brief work on the script. Cohen's writing credits include Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, and Tropic Thunder.

The principal actor casting director is auditioning actresses in their 20's to play a younger version of Emma Thompson. The character has a good sense of humor, is alluring, and is very secure with her level of intelligence.

Principal Actor Casting

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

New York:

Ellen Chenoweth
161 Avenue of the Americas
11th floor
New York, NY 10013

Extras Casting

New York:

Grant Wilfley Casting
123 West 18th Street
8th Floor
New York, NY 10011
mib3@gwcnyc.com

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies (they will most likely end being thrown away), they do not cast the films. They hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

Men In Black 3 Production Office
Kaufman Astoria Studios
34-37 36th Street
2nd Floor
Astoria, NY 11106

Columbia Pictures
10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

Amblin Entertainment
100 Universal Plaza
Bldg 477
Universal City, CA 91608

Right Coast Productions
289 Springs Fireplace Road
East Hampton, NY 11937

Parkes/MacDonald Productions
1663 Euclid Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Producers:

Steven Spielberg
Walter Parkes
Laurie MacDonald
Barry Sonnenfeld

Director:

Barry Sonnenfeld

Starring:

Will Smith
Tommy Lee Jones
Josh Brolin
Jemaine Clement
Emma Thompson
Nicole Scherzinger

Story:

The Men In Black duo of Agent Jay and Agent Kay are back in action. When the world is threatened by an evil alien, Agent Jay travels back in time to 1969, where he teams up with the younger Agent Kay to stop an evil villain named Boris (Clement) from destroying the world in the future. Brolin will play the younger version of Jones' Agent Kay character.

General Open Casting Call for Three Upcoming Network TV series

"Drop Dead Diva" starring April Bowlby is one of the three shows being cast.
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Television Open Casting Call – Saturday, February 19th

Gwinnett Place Mall

Center Court
2100 Pleasant Hill Road
Duluth, GA 30096

11:00am - 1:00pm

Casting Director Bill Marinella, a 17-year industry veteran, will be holding a General Open TV Casting Call for THREE upcoming network TV series on Saturday, February 19, 2011. The search is on for background talent and specialty bit players for all three television shows. One hit series revolves around a law office and is filmed in Peachtree City. The second series focuses on football and the social night life in NYC. The third series is currently unnamed. All three series will soon begin production in the Atlanta, GA area. All positions are paid.

The open call is open for ages 18 and up only please. It is important you are dressed in your best wardrobe with make-up and hair camera ready. Arrive with two forms of valid I.D.

The open casting call will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 11 am to 1pm at Gwinnett Place Mall (center court) located at 2100 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, GA.

Specifically seeking the following different type looks:

• Very chic and trendy “30-somethings”

• Upscale patrons with upscale suits / dresses with a polished look

• Talent to portray attorneys and defendants and character faces

• Anyone with cool/funky hairstyle, eyeglasses, tattoos, or “Art Gallery” look

• Specifically looking for blonde men and women (tan a plus!)

• Upscale “Ladies of Luxury” 20’s-40’s (Show us your upscale look)

• Fit recreational Tennis players 20’s-50’s (don’t come in tennis attire)

• Hot looking male and females for LA and NY styled night club scene

• Beautiful, sexy REAL cheerleaders

• Football players or athletic and good looking

• Upscale looking business professionals in 20-40’s

• Upscale patrons with a polished look, so ladies bring your Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana handbags, Prada sunglasses etc...

• Anyone with cool/ funky hairstyle, eyeglasses, tattoos, or “Art Gallery” look

Everyone, please come relaxed and WEAR BEST UPSCALE WARDROBE with make-up and hair camera ready.

Casting ages 18 and over for “ALL LOOKS”

Wardrobe notes:

ABSOLUTELY NO RED, NO WHITE and NO BUSY PRINTS/PATTERNS

Colors they love for the professional looks are navy grey, black, olive, tan, maroon, beige, charcoal - think “GQ “ magazine type

For “Nightlife” scenes - Think “Sex and the City” type dresses, spaghetti straps, and stylish jeans for women, tops with jewel tones and color are good!

Men with an upscale NY and LA night club feel (“Entourage” feel), over-dyed or dark upscale jeans and shirts with peak or notch collars and sport jackets and soft soled rubber dress shoes, and handsome, “chic suits” for play.

Please come in style, simple jewelry is best, with hair and make up camera ready

Free parking. Please bring a pen and headshots if you have them. Please know your wardrobe sizes (height, waist, inseam, shoe, etc.)

About Bill Marinella Casting

Bill Marinella is a 17 year veteran in the film industry. He is a Casting Director for many network series and feature films. Marinella Casting has been involved in the casting for films shooting in Georgia in 2010 like Footloose, Marry Me, Change Up and also the hit TV series Drop Dead Diva.

Feature film 'Family Weekend' casting teens and adults in Michigan

Ramona and Beezus Star Joey King will play the role of Lucinda
Creative Commons

Footprint Features and The Bedford Falls Company are currently shooting the independent film "Family Weekend" in Macomb County, Michigan which is part of the Detroit metropolitan area. The casting directors are seeking numerous extras to participate in February, 2011.

The film stars Kristin Chenoweth, Olesya Rulin, Joey King, Eddie Hassel, Matthew Modine and Shirley Jones. The comedy/drama is about a brazenly narcissistic teenager who takes extreme measures to try and repair her dysfunctional family life.

The "Family Weekend" script by Matt K. Turner was a quarter-finalist in the Nicholl Competition at the Motion Picture Academy.

Here is what the production is seeking:

• Males and females who are 18+ to play younger.
• Male and female young adults.
• Male and female middle-aged adults.
• Juvenile Delinquent types.
• Detention Center Supervisors.
• Punk Kid types.
• High School Students.
• Spectators at a sporting event.

If interested in appearing in the film, submit a recent photo and contact information to:

fwproduction@footprintfeatures.com

Put "EXTRA" in the subject line of your email.

Also state the days you are available the week of availability during the week of February 7th – 13th, 2011.

Extras Casting

All areas:

Footprint Features
615 Coeur D Alene Avenue
Venice, CA 90291
fwproduction@footprintfeatures.com

Principal Actor Casting

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Los Angeles:

Ron Digman
Valorie Massalas
"A Family Weekend" Casting
C/O Whitewater Films
2013 Beloit Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90025

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

The Bedford Falls Company
409 Santa Monica Blvd. PH
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Footprint Features
615 Coeur D Alene Avenue
Venice, CA 90291

Producers:

Ed Zwick
Adam Saunders

Director:

Benjamin Epps

Starring:

Kristin Chenoweth - Samantha Smith-Dungy
Olesya Rulin - Emily Smith-Dungy
Joey King - Lucinda Smith-Dungy
Eddie Hassel - Jackson Smith-Dungy aka Thor
Matthew Modine - Duncan Dungy
Shirley Jones - GG

Story:

Fed up with her dysfunctional family, Emily Smith-Dungy (Olesya Rulin) drugs and ties up her entire family in order to lay down the law on all their individual character flaws. However, after poking a few giant holes in her parents self-esteem, Emily finds that her own behavior comes under close scrutiny as well.

The aim of this blog is to help people who are interested in working as a union or non-union extra. I hope the information on this page can help you achieve your goal of working as a background actor in Film and Television. I post this information absolutely free of charge, and try to verify all details as much as possible. I hope my websites continue to help talent obtain employment in the entertainment industry.

Note: All content on third-party advertisers' websites is the sole responsibility of the respective website publisher(s)/owner(s).

What is a Background Actor?

A "Background Actor" or "Extra" is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, who appears in a nonspeaking, non-singing or non-dancing capacity, usually in the background.

War films and epic films often employ background actors in large numbers. Some films have featured hundreds or even thousands of paid background actors. Likewise, grand opera can involve many background actors appearing in spectacular productions.

On a film or television set, background actors are usually referred to as "Background Performers", "Background Artists" or simply "Background," while the term "Extra" is rarely used.

In a stage production, background actors are commonly referred to as "Supernumeraries". In opera and ballet, they are called either 'Extras' or 'Supers'.

SAG-AFTRA

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is an American labor union representing over 150,000 film and television principal and background performers worldwide. The current organization is the result of the March 30, 2012 merger of the Screen Actor's Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

According to the SAG-AFTRA Mission Statement, the union seeks to: negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements that establish equitable levels of compensation, benefits, and working conditions for its performers; collect compensation for exploitation of recorded performances by its members, and provide protection against unauthorized use of those performances; and preserve and expand work opportunities for its members.

The Screen Actors Guild was founded in 1933 in an effort to eliminate exploitation of actors in Hollywood who were being forced into oppressive multi-year contracts with the major movie studios that did not include restrictions on work hours or minimum rest periods, and often had clauses that automatically renewed at the studios' discretion. These contracts were notorious for allowing the studios to dictate the public and private lives of the performers who signed them, and most did not have provisions to allow the performer to end the deal.

SAG-AFTRA is the primary performer's union in the United States. The union is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. SAG-AFTRA claims exclusive jurisdiction over motion picture as well as radio, television, Internet, and other new media. Internationally, SAG-AFTRA is affiliated with the International Federation of Actors.

How To Qualify For SAG-AFTRA Membership

A performer becomes eligible for SAG-AFTRA membership under one of the following two conditions:

1) Proof of Employment.

SAG-AFTRA membership is available to those who work in a position covered by a SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) collective bargaining agreement. Any person qualifying through work as a background actor must have completed three days of work as a background actor under a SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) collective bargaining agreement.

2) Employment Under an Affiliated Performers Union.

Performers may join SAG-AFTRA if the applicant is a paid-up member of an affiliated performers union (ACTRA, AEA, AGMA or AGVA) for a period of one year and has worked and been paid for at least once as a principal performer in that union’s jurisdiction.

All new members pay a one-time-only initiation fee, plus the first semiannual dues at the time of joining. The national initiation fee rate is currently $3000.00 (initiation fees may be lower in some states). Annual Base dues are $198.00. In addition, work dues are calculated at 1.575 percent of covered earnings up to $500,000.

Once you are a member, you must abide by the rules of membership, starting with Global Rule One and the No Contract/No Work Rule. And, whether you are a SAG-AFTRA member or not - NEVER accept work during a Union strike!

Becoming a SAG-AFTRA member is a very important milestone for every working professional talent in the entertainment industry. But you should not be in a rush to join unless you are absolutely certain that you are ready to compete for professional performing jobs. For actors, you should prepare yourself by studying acting and improv, doing live theatre, and perform in non-union on-camera productions in order to build your resume and gain extremely valuable experience.

How do I get three SAG-AFTRA background vouchers?

Excellent question; there truly isn’t a simple answer. The best way is to work as a non-union background actor as often as possible and do a great job, showing up on time and bringing the proper wardrobe.

Occasionally there will be an immediate need for a certain look or ability on the set and if you are in the right place at the right time you will be offered a SAG-AFTRA voucher. Sporadically a casting director will offer you a SAG-AFTRA voucher if they are unable to locate a SAG member who fits the requirements of the production company.

Demo Reel Information

An actors demo reel (or "demo tape") is a short compilation of clips from professional acting work on films, commercials, and television shows. It is usually no more than a few minutes in length.

A demo reel IS NOT the same as an "Audition Video". An Audition Video IS a homemade video that you make when casting directors are accepting audition video submissions.

It is NOT necessary to send in a demo reel when submitting for extra roles. Only submit a demo reel if the casting directors request it, or through an agent.

Extras Calling Services

There are companies that are termed "Calling Services" or "Booking Services" that charge fee(s) to obtain extra work for you. These Calling Services are not contracted by production companies as Casting Directors are, rather they are independent services that work for the individual extras that sign up for their service. The fee is usually on a monthly basis, however some use a per-job-booked fee structure also.

Most Extras Casting Directors use these calling services often, especially when they are casting large amounts of extras for a specific production. It is much easier and less time consuming to make one call to a Calling Service and tell them what they need than it is to call each and every extra individually.

Once an extra signs up for a Calling Service, they provide them with photos, clothing size forms, and contact information. Then it is simply a matter of letting the Calling Service know your availability. The booking service will submit their clients based on their availability to all of the extras Casting Directors, and the Casting Directors can book as many or as few of these extras and give the booking service the call times, wardrobe requirements, shooting location, etc., to forward along to their clients. It is then the responsibility of the Calling Service to provide the details to their extras and confirm the booking.

Extras who do not use a Calling Service must constantly call recorded casting lines that the extras casting directors set up, and then call a separate number if they fit exactly what is on the recorded line. The competition to get work this way is extremely fierce. It is a generally accepted reality that extras who use respected and legitimate Calling Services are booked far more frequently than those who try to do their own booking.

The fees that Calling Services charge range from around $45 - $75 per month depending on your union status, age, and the number of days that you are booked during the month. There also may be an initial registration fee that can be as low as $20 to over $100 if they require a first month fee and last month fee in addition to the registration fee.

Should I Do Extra Work For Acting Experience?

I personally feel that if a person does not have experience, doing extra work is a fantastic way to get used to being on a film or TV set. It gives you an idea of how things work and allows you to become comfortable on a set without risking "burning bridges" if you get nervous and a little stage fright.

I myself did extra work in the beginning of my career and it helped me tremendously. I had terrible stage fright, but I became very comfortable after doing background work for a while.

So the answer is yes, doing extra work will help you. It doesn't pay a whole lot, but the experience you get is valuable.

Acting is like any other job, the more training and experience a person has, the better chance of getting the job. But at the same time, we all have to start somewhere!

Types of Background Actors

General Background: Person of atmospheric business which includes the normal actions, gestures and facial expressions of the Background Actor’s assignment.

Special Ability: Background Actor specifically called and assigned to perform work requiring special skills such as tennis, golf, choreographed social dancing (including square dancing), swimming, skating, riding animals, driving livestock, non-professional singing (in groups of 16 or less), mouthing to playback in groups of 16 or less, professional or organized athletic sports (including officiating and running), amputees, driving which requires a special skill and a special license (such as truck driving but not cab driving), motorcycle driving, insert work, and practical card dealing.

Stand-In: Background Actor used as a substitute for another actor for purposes of focusing shots, setting lights, etc., but is not actually photographed. Stand-Ins may also be used as general background.

Photographic Double: Background Actor who is actually photographed as a substitute for another actor. A General Background Actor who is required to do photographic doubling shall receive the Special Ability rate.

Day Performer: A Performer who delivers a speech or a line of dialogue. A Background Actor must be upgraded to a Day Performer if directed to speak, except in the case of “omnies”.

Omnies: Any speech sounds used as general background noise rather than for its meaning. Atmospheric words such as indistinguishable background chatter in a party or restaurant scene.

Advice for Child Actors

1. Have fun and enjoy every performance.

2. Learn as much as possible from the professionals you work with.

3. Get your rest, and drink plenty of water!

4. Be respectful and do what you are asked to do to make the child wrangler's job easy.

5. Remember you are there to do a job.

6. Share the experience with your friends and family.

7. Visit as many places as you can.

8. Be thankful for the opportunity.

9. Use your down time to keep up with schoolwork.

10. Laugh, Laugh, Laugh.

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