Expert: Peter Messaline - 2/3/2002

Question
During a search in a database for publications on movie extras I came across a article on EXTRAS! EXTRAS! READ ALL ABOUT THEIR 15 MINUTES The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, GA), July 23, 2000 pJJ1.  It was very interesting how many people from smalltown USA have appeared in movies.  I assume most of them were either simply lucky about hearing of a casting calls on the radio or had joined some casting call agency that hires movie extras. There seems to be no "pooling" of information for those who are interested in joining the ranks of the movie extra without paying fees to agencies, some of which are bogus.  I was wondering, after reading the article, if you know of any such "pooling" of information on movie locations around the U.S. based on your wide experience.  Further, I have thoughts on creating such a database and am curious if you have any thoughts on the matter.  

Answer
Film companies visiting smaller centres typically advertise locally for extras, often simply with an open call and a very general description of the crowd needed. This is cheap, it increases local interest in the project, eases the PR problems of blocked streets and closed sidewalks, and it means that everyone who turns up is available. The people they need are not performers, and they are in relatively large numbers.

Setting up a database would mean attracting small-town non-professionals from across the country, in sufficient numbers to make it worthwhile for the production to come looking, and keeping it up to date enough for the contacts still to be valid when the company sent out the casting email.

This sort of open casting site has been tried for performers with lines, and it hasn't worked so far. It's been impossible to collect the large number of people necessary in both the categories of seeker and sought-after.

Another great idea before its time, I'm afraid.

Thanks for your question. Keep thinking outside the box!!

Peter M