Film extras casting today

[landofsmiles]

Anyone going along for this? Think I might go check it out. Could be the start of a newcareer for somebody

From Phuket Gazette:-
Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Moviemakers seek extras

PHUKET CITY: Thai Occidental Productions is calling for extras for its production Man Eaters, a series of five 90-minute, made-for-television movies to filmed on location in Krabi.

Interested people of all nationalities, races and ages are encouraged to attend either of the two audition sessions being held by the production company on Sunday.

In Phuket, auditions will be held from 4 pm to 6:30 pm at the Phuket Merlin Hotel, on Yaowarat Rd, Phuket City.

In Krabi, auditions will be held from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Maritime Park & Spa Resort, 1 Tungfah Rd, Krabi Town.

The English-language production, to air on cable TV channels in the West, is described as being about “young and keen students on their research projects getting into real trouble!” with “a lot of action, chasing, horror, science fiction and fun!”

Filming of the series will start this month and is scheduled to be complete by January next year.

Some ability to speak English is helpful though not essential, as the production company will have translators on hand.

Those interested may send photos or CVs by email to: CastingManeaters.Ralf@gmail.com or CastingManeaters.Jo@gmail.com

[laflafs]

Did a couple of extra roles in the Philippines in the 80's, was a real laugh i recall!Both action movies- us farangs played scruffy mercenary types! A lot of semi resident foreigners managed to eke out a living doing this,but anyway worth the craic methinks

[LivinLOS]

Did some extra work in LA to add to the travelling fund.. And ended up doing PA work also which was fun and different.. Long days but good money for cash in hand no green card etc..

[landofsmiles]

It's a Thai Production but in English so I doubt there'd be much money involved and the filming to be done mainly round Krabi over several months which would be a pain to get to from here if it meant going several times and staying over. Think I'll still go for the crack...can always say no thanks if they offer something.

[Nid Noy]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Did some extra work in LA to add to the travelling fund.. And ended up doing PA work also which was fun and different.. Long days but good money for cash in hand no green card etc..

Which movies were you in? I was in "The Doors" as a CIA Agent. I was also in "The Joy Luck Club" as a party goer. Actually worked on a couple of features as a lighting tech as well. Low pay, but fun to get in on the action. Free food too!

[M & M]

If I am correct this is just a casting session...aka "the meat market"

If you are going along be prepared for a long boring day of sitting around doing noting...

As for shooting days be prepared for more of the same...filming sounds glamerous but mostly it is very boring with lots of sitting around waiting for everything from the sun, props, wardrobe, makeup, rehearsals and re-takes to tempremental directors and clients...

Mike is a Cinematographer, Director of Photography (Retired) and it would be like a busman's picnic for us!!!

[bentarm44]

So did any bms get offered anything?
This is the sort of try out I'd have jumped at if I'd been around.
I understand about the long booring bit, but you wont know if you don't go.

Has this sort of thing happened much in phuket?

Take it easy, but take it.

[landofsmiles]

I got there for 4pm and there were about 100 people waiting, then a guy came out and said it was going to be another 1/2 an hour setting up before they could start. I couldn't be asred to wait and left...I hate having a camera pointed at me and don't think I could have handled it anyway.

I guess there have been castings for extras before...all these foreign movies were shot here or had parts done here...

1950s-1970s
Around the World in Eighty Days (1956) - Director Michael Todd was able to borrow one of the royal barges of King Bhumibol Adulyadej when the production was in Bangkok.
The Ugly American (1963) - Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj appeared on screen with Marlon Brando. He played the prime minister of the fictional Southeast Asian country of Sarkhan.
The Big Boss (1971) - Bruce Lee portrays a young fighter from Guangdong who comes to Thailand to sort out his life and finds a job working in an icehouse. He tries to be peaceful, but they just keep pushing him.
Duel of Fists (1971) - David Chiang travels to Bangkok looking for his long-lost brother (Ti Lung), who's a muay Thai boxer in this Shaw Brothers Studio film by Chang Cheh.
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) - Filmed around Bangkok and Phang Nga Bay in Phuket. Bond attended a boxing match at Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district. One of the islands seen in the film is known as the "Nail" island (or Ko Khao Tapoo). This island houses the solar panels. The hideout of Scaramanga (Christopher Lee) is actually Ko Kow-Phing-Khan. Both islands are now tourist attractions. The "nail" island is referred to as "James Bond Island" in tourist literature. The location was extremely hard hit by a tsunami following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

Robert De Niro in The Deer Hunter, made in Thailand.The Deer Hunter (1978) - The Russian roulette bar was in Patpong in Bangkok, while the POW camp was in Kanchanaburi Province.
1980s
The Killing Fields (1982) - Locations in Hua Hin and Phuket stood in for Khmer Rouge-era Cambodia. Actor Spalding Gray recounts the film's shoot in his monologue, Swimming to Cambodia.
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) - Sylvester Stallone's super soldier goes to Cambodia (actually Thailand) looking for his POW buddies. Followed by Rambo III', set in Afghanistan but actually made in Thailand.
Good Morning Vietnam (1987) - Thai actress Jintara Sukapat portrayed the love interest for Robin Williams' character.
Casualties of War (1989) - Brian De Palma's Vietnam War saga was filmed around Phuket.

1990s
Air America (1990) - Mae Hong Son Province in northern Thailand stands in for Secret War-era Laos. The film later attracted tourism to the region and was featured on the cover of Conde Nast Traveller in May 1993.
Operation Dumbo Drop (1995) - Yet another Vietnam War film made in Thailand. The elephant is the star.
Cutthroat Island (1995) - Renny Harlin's swashbuckler was filmed on location in Maya Bay, which would later be used for The Beach.
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997) - Tony Jaa worked as a stunt double and went on to become a major Thai action star. Filming was in historic old Ayutthaya, where a minor stir was caused when scantily-clad foreign women were filmed dancing on top of some sacred ruins. Mortal Kombat also was made in Thailand, around Sukhothai historical park.
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) - Another Bond film and another Bond. Michelle Yeoh co-stars, as Bangkok stands in for Ho Chi Minh City. Scaramanga's island is seen, as Phang Nga Bay substitutes for Halong Bay, Vietnam.
[edit]
2000s
The Beach (2000) - Environmentalists protested the film because the production crew altered the beach of Ko Phi Phi Leh. The beach was restored to its natural condition in the 2004 tsunami.
In the Mood for Love (2000) - Wong Kar-wai's love story starring Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu Wai is set in 1960s Hong Kong but exterior scenes were filmed in Bangkok.
City of Ghosts (2002) - Matt Dillon's noirish thriller was set in Cambodia and mostly filmed there, but some scenes were shot in Thailand, and many of the crew were Thai people.
Two Brothers (2004) - This family-friendly story about two tigers had some scenes made in Samut Prakan province, at a tourist site called Mueang Boran (Ancient City), which has scaled-down replicas of many of Thailand's important structures. The tigers used in the film were from the Sri Racha Tiger Zoo near Pattaya. The film was set in neighboring Cambodia, and many locations were used there was well.

Alexander the Great goes up against a war elephant.Alexander (2004) - Colin Farrell goes up against an elephant here. Part of Alexander the Great's eastern campaign were filmed along the Mekong in northeastern Ubon Ratchathani Province and in Saraburi Province. Royal Thai Army soldiers were used as extras. Thai actors Bin Bunluerit and Jaran Ngamdee portrayed an Indian king an Indian prince respectively.
Around the World in 80 Days (2004) - This Jackie Chan/Steve Coogan remake of the 1956 film was also filmed in Thailand, with scenes shot in Krabi that were meant to take place in a rural village in China. Sammo Hung makes an appearance as Wong Fei Hung.
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) - Made in Bangkok and Phuket, including Bangkok's Soi Cowboy. Tabloid reports that Hugh Grant was chased by bargirls were false.
Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith (2005) - The approach to Kashyyyk, the Wookiee homeworld, was filmed around Krabi by Santa Film International.
Rescue Dawn (2006) - Werner Herzog came to Thailand in August 2005 to direct this true story of pilot Dieter Dengler and his escape from a POW camp during the Vietnam War. Stars Christian Bale and Steve Zahn.
The Aftermath (2006) – HBO-BBC joint production came to Phuket in April-June 2006 to film mini-series about the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the resulting tsunami that hit Phuket. The movie stars Tim Roth and Toni Collette.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by Nid Noy

Which movies were you in? I was in "The Doors" as a CIA Agent. I was also in "The Joy Luck Club" as a party goer. Actually worked on a couple of features as a lighting tech as well. Low pay, but fun to get in on the action. Free food too!

TV stuff.. Was on the Rosanna Bar produced saturday night special (like a SNL for another channel) a fair bit.. Sketch comedy bits.. Met the guys from whose line is it anyway (tall canuk you see on Drew Cary now) and those days were stupidly fun..

I started to do production assistant (gofer) for that production house and money was good really for a no skills kid with no interest in the industry.. 200 USD per day plus about 30c per mile as I had a van to grab stuff.. Usually meant 350+ per day back in early 90's.. 2 or 3 days a week, cash paid, no tax or green card.. Living in a mates malibu beachouse with pool and hot tub..

Could have been worse

[urtheman]

I hated the business. I was in LA working (barely) for 7 years until I realized I hated the rejection and being poor. I was in my early 20"s
Going for audtions then getting call backs, then nothing.
Never did extra work, as an actor I felt it was below me. many felt the same way an actor is an actor and an extra is an extra.
I would get a coke or mc donalds national commercial I got a cert's breath mint and also alka selser. Got 5 lines on a soap opera. Try eating a cookie then smiling and not have the food on your teeth.
Try doing an audition and the actress your perfroming with has a shawl with little brass beads on it she then takes it off and twirles it around and accidently hits you in the face with the brass beads and they keep filming (and you have to keep smiling and acting while all you want to do is choke her)
My girlfriend at the time was getting work all the time but when we went over lines I didn't think she was a better actor (maybe had a better agent) she just missed getting buffy the vampire slayer lead on TV (she was in a bad mood for weeks after that)
It was good money when I worked and I recieved residuals then I couldn't get a job for months And would get broke and back to work as a bartender or waiter. Did some music videos also
The roles my agent sent me out for were Cop #2, or young doctor or the college guy type of stuff. Looking back now I think I was just a lousy actor.
I have my SAG card still but hated being a waiter who was always looking for an acting gig.
The best times I had was when I was in class doing a scene or performing theater but theater in LA dosen't pay (they give you gas money)
Sometimes I see people in film or TV I studied with or was friends with and it makes me feel good they are working.
There was also alot of pretension and bullshit involved as well.
The hardest thing was when it gets down to you and the other actor who is in the waiting room and he looks very similiar to you and then your agent tells you the next day you didn't get the job.

Much happier now!

[Mav]

....l failed a screen test and had to revert to prostitution and adult flicks.

[LivinLOS]

I remember a bizarre scene..

Going to a place to do the extra signup stuff.. Woman who ran it immediately asked about acting.. I said "look I have no interest in the biz really.. I just want some quick work that pays fast.. Have no ambitions to be an actor" she sits back and looked shocked..

She replies WOW thats so refreshing.. Would you do speaking roles.. Er does it pay better..

It was so funny she was the trying to talk me into doing more because I said I had no interest in it it ?!?! Also Brit accent etc..

Got most of my work through a buddy who was involved in the biz more..

I actually enjoyed production work.. I am fairly good with problems and finding ways around etc.. I think being in a large production, project management, etc would suit my skills and temperament. I like contract syle work where you work your ass of for weeks / months and then its finished and you can breathe and relax before starting another intense bit of work.. Doing the daily slog the same job the same place etc for years on end is not good with me.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by Mav

....l failed a screen test and had to revert to prostitution and adult flicks.

Thats another thing the same buddy talked about.. He sorted out rates and had a long talk with a couple of companies that were advertising..

Kinda funny but we both bottled it on the idea..

I remember a mate in Holland calling up for an advert in the Dutch papers wanting stunt dicks.. Went through all the money etc.. bullshitting hed done work before etc.. Was a slow day in the office..

Pay for guys isnt that great..

[marc26]

Originally Posted by urtheman

I hated the business. I was in LA working (barely) for 7 years until I realized I hated the rejection and being poor. I was in my early 20"s
Going for audtions then getting call backs, then nothing.
Never did extra work, as an actor I felt it was below me. many felt the same way an actor is an actor and an extra is an extra.
I would get a coke or mc donalds national commercial I got a cert's breath mint and also alka selser. Got 5 lines on a soap opera. Try eating a cookie then smiling and not have the food on your teeth.
Try doing an audition and the actress your perfroming with has a shawl with little brass beads on it she then takes it off and twirles it around and accidently hits you in the face with the brass beads and they keep filming (and you have to keep smiling and acting while all you want to do is choke her)
My girlfriend at the time was getting work all the time but when we went over lines I didn't think she was a better actor (maybe had a better agent) she just missed getting buffy the vampire slayer lead on TV (she was in a bad mood for weeks after that)
It was good money when I worked and I recieved residuals then I couldn't get a job for months And would get broke and back to work as a bartender or waiter. Did some music videos also
The roles my agent sent me out for were Cop #2, or young doctor or the college guy type of stuff. Looking back now I think I was just a lousy actor.
I have my SAG card still but hated being a waiter who was always looking for an acting gig.
The best times I had was when I was in class doing a scene or performing theater but theater in LA dosen't pay (they give you gas money)
Sometimes I see people in film or TV I studied with or was friends with and it makes me feel good they are working.
There was also alot of pretension and bullshit involved as well.
The hardest thing was when it gets down to you and the other actor who is in the waiting room and he looks very similiar to you and then your agent tells you the next day you didn't get the job.

Much happier now!

i was just having a talk about hollywood the other day
again, just a guy assuming
it seems like once you get your foot in the door, its not so hard to do other things
look at mark whalberg. he is the executive producer of "Entourage"
ashton kusher-has a production company
ben affleck-directing movie adapted from a dennis lehane book

these guys arent exactly rocket scientists
i mean i was out in the same bars/club with whalberg when we were kids, believe me, he's no MENSA

[seafox]

Originally Posted by marc26

i was just having a talk about hollywood the other day
again, just a guy assuming
it seems like once you get your foot in the door, its not so hard to do other things
look at mark whalberg. he is the executive producer of "Entourage"
ashton kusher-has a production company
ben affleck-directing movie adapted from a dennis lehane book

these guys arent exactly rocket scientists
i mean i was out in the same bars/club with whalberg when we were kids, believe me, he's no MENSA

not rocket scientists but they have the money and the connections. And believe me they get ideas pitched to them all day and night

Went out with a girl for 5 years who was the costume designer for the Roseanne show and met lots of actors while with her and it was all about connections. One of her best friends was Roseanne's sister on the show and she got the part of the mother's voice in Toy Story and being a star and doing the voice overs for an animated film is easy work and surprisingly big money. She started a production company with my ex and within a week they had 40 scripts to go over and were picthing ideas to TV studios within a month.

But have taught lots of starving actors how to dive and what Urtheman said is true, feast or famine.