Report on: HOW to be an “EXTRA” in FILMS & commercials in Chicago, incl. MIDWEST FILM FESTIVAL information

2012, 06-01:

Report on:  HOW to be an “EXTRA” in FILMS & commercials in Chicago, including information about the MIDWEST FILM FESTIVAL  

This is designed to give you some “TIPS” for trying to do “background” ACTING work (known as being an “EXTRA”, “stand-in”, or “photo double”) in FILMS, TV, commercials, music videos, print ads & the like… 

…  Sometimes there may be some PAY involved in the work--  but often (especially for small “independent” productions), it’s UN-paid work that might better be viewed under the category of something “FUN” to do (that you might be able to “point-out” to your friends & family)…  Sometimes, such efforts could be used to encourage others to hire you for some paid work in the FUTURE…

…  While what I’ll be saying is “aimed” at people in the CHICAGO area, the general ideas should apply in general to various OTHER areas around the world…

…  My attitude is, it’s often best to keep an "OPEN mind" about projects that seem to "fit" you (even if it's just a "bit")…  And, it's wise to respond QUICKLY to possibilities that might be of interest, because the casting people involved have a limited number of "openings" & often want to be "DONE" with things & "close-off" their considerations to meet deadlines & the like... 

…  It’s good to keep in mind that things can (& frequently do!) quickly "CHANGE" or be "REVISED" from the "original" plans announced, & it's helpful to be in the "INITIAL" considerations to learn about such "revised" situations...

...  For example, I learned of plans by an “indie” (the ST. VITUS IMPROV WORKSHOP;  https://www.facebook.com/stvitusimprov ) to shoot a comedy film ("THE ALDERMAN")  to be entered in the 2012 Chicago COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL...

...  Like a number of productions, they were not able to pay much of anything CASH-wise...  But, they provided a chance to be "NOTICED" for possible future things, in that they would provide your name in their CAST-listing on the important IMDB movie-info  website (which can look good on a "RESUME", even if the part wasn't especially "important")...

...  Plus, they offered to provide a DVD copy of the final result (which could in part potentially be used on a person’s own PERSONAL "WORK" compendium DVD or VHS to show prospective employers what you can "do" & how you can "LOOK")...
           
...  At the "IMPROV" shoot, the people running it were all very FRIENDLY & easy-going, & very helpful about the costuming desired for the project... 

…  When a specially-interviewed person was chosen & then failed to SHOW-UP as promised, the director "upgraded" one of the already-scheduled “background” people to do the little "FEATURED" role (originally planned for the guy who failed to show)…

( …  I can’t stress enough how IMPORTANT it is to be a person of your WORD--  if you say you’re going to be somewhere or do something, it’s really foolish to not properly “FOLLOW-THRU” on what you’ve said!...

( …  If you show you don’t “take care of BUSINESS” (= “TCB”), that fact will likely be strongly “remembered” [unfavorably!], & such information might possibly be “spread” around to OTHERS in the industry… )

…  AFTER the scheduled film shoot, they later discovered they'd had some camera problems in the form of corrupted video footage shot…  The director then contacted certain people involved in the “improper” footage to come back for some "RE-SHOOT" work…

…  In addition, it had been decided that there would be some EXPANDED "bits" added in for people at the re-shoot…  That “good news” wouldn't have happened if a person hadn't made the "EFFORT" of being involved in the venture in the first place (which is the "MESSAGE" of this!)...

…  Quite often in the “casting / production” worlds, INITIAL PLANS are subject to various “last-minute” type of “CHANGES”:  the producer (or a similar person) may have to reschedule the date or the number of people to be used, etc… 

…  Also, understand that there’s often a lot of “WAITING” time & periodic “revisions” in the midst of work on projects…

…  Best to not take such things “personally”, & do your best to “GO with the FLOW” of what’s going-on!...

…  When a casting or production company announces it’s seeking people for a project, it’s best to NOT "procrastinate" & to respond QUICKLY if you’re interested & seem to “FIT” the requirements stated...

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     As to SPECIFICS on things you might do to get “INVOLVED” in the industry:

…  You need to get in the "LOOP" on things.  In the Chicago area, one of the easiest ways is to go onto FACEBOOK & click on the "LIKE" button for ATMOSPHERE CASTING [ = https://www.facebook.com/AtmosphereCasting ] & ExtraOrdinary Casting [ https://www.facebook.com/extraordinarycasting ] ... 

...  That'll normally get you on their "list" to be sent regular ANNOUNCEMENTS (on your Facebook page) of what comes up bit-by-bit...

…  If you’re interested in doing “EXTRA” or similar work, it'd be wise to be REGISTERED with the agencies.  Here's what ATMOSPHERE requests:

            

“  Registration Information:

“  To be considered for future extra work and to be put into our database please do the following:

“  Send an e-mail to extrascasting@gmail.com . In the Subject Line put REGISTRATION

“  We ask that you provide the following information in the body of the email, including a recent photo under 1MB in size. Doing so, makes your information available for quick searches (attachments are not searchable). The more information we have, the easier it is for us to cast you!

“  Name:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Zip Code:
Age:
Ethnicity:
Languages Spoken:
Height:
Weight:
Hair and Eye Color:
Tattoo/Body Piercings (please specify):
Special Talents/Abilities:
Do you own a bike, skate board, roller skates, etc [ = specify what]:
Animals [owned]:
Military Experience: (Branch/Rank/Specific Job)
Occupation (i.e. waiter/cop/nurse/paramedic, etc):

“  Measurements (which are important when casting parts that require uniforms) =
Women: Dress and Shoe size, Bust/Waist/Hip 
Men:  Coat/Suit, Shoe, Shirt [neck/sleeve] and pants [waist/inseam] 

“  If you have a car, include: Make/Model/Year/Color (which is important for production requirements and for us to understand your transportation)

“  Previous experience as Stand-In / EXTRA (= please specify):

“  Give us an idea of what kind of [clothing] attire you have: Casual, Formal, Cocktail, Business, Suits, Work-out, Uniforms, Club, etc.

“  For children 15 years and younger, please tell us if you have a current Illinois work permit with us or a talent agency i.e. Lily's, Big Mouth, Stewart's, etc

“  You may also attach a headshot/resume and/or link to photos on FB/website, etc. in addition to the above required information.  ”


...  The “Registration” info requested (which I call a "STAT" sheet) could also be sent to OTHER agencies, such as:   darlene@extraordinarycasting.net ...

…  You can SIGN-UP to get TWITTER announcements from ATMOSPHERE CASTING about upcoming projects by clicking on the following link:

https://twitter.com/?utm_campaign=ChicagoExtras&utm_content=208022026257055744&utm_medium=fb&utm_source=fb#!/ChicagoExtras

 

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...  Naturally, one of the things you'd probably want to do is "NETWORK" & "STUDY" what's going on in the world of film-making as much as possible...   There are various groups such as http://chicagofilmmakers.org/cf/index.php ...

…  Of course, various SCHOOLS involved with film-making and the like (such as COLUMBIA COLLEGE, DePAUL, etc.) have their OWN “special” projects you might get involved with…

...  In most months, on every first TUESDAY, the MIDWEST FILM FESTIVAL (which specializes in INDIE films made by people from & in the Midwest area) holds a show at Chicago's Landmark CENTURY CENTRE theatre, 2828 N Clark street...

...  They usually hold a "PRODUCER'S PANEL" giving a talk (with suggestions on how to get INTO the business, etc.) before the month's film is screened, after which they hold a Q&A with people like the film's director, producer, sometimes STARS, etc...  

...  And, afterwards, they provide some free FOOD at a nearby restaurant, where you can "SCHMOOZE" with people (various of the attendees) AFTER the talks...  Normally, there's a FEE ( $ 10-15 per person) to attend the screening events...

…  Here’s information on their NEXT such event:

”  …  First Tuesdays with The Midwest Independent Film Festival continue on Tuesday, June 5th with the film “CLOSE QUARTERS” at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, 2828 North Clark street beginning at 6 p.m.  This charming feature boasts an ensemble cast loaded with improv stalwarts, including David Pasquesi, T.J. Jagadowski, Susan Messing, Greg Hollimon and Tim Kazurinsky, to name a few.  Director and Chicago filmmaker Jack C. Newell is confirmed for [attendance at] a post-premiere discussion with the audience.

“  Film Synopsis:

“ Blind love, clandestine love, and love in vain all figure in the interlocking stories of battling baristas, betrayed spouses, inveterate tellers of tales, and caffeine addicts, all brought together by fate late one night in a Chicago coffee shop.  One hour before closing time, the customers suddenly pour in and the individual dramas escalate, from adultery in the bathroom to the espresso route to heartbreak.  An impressive ensemble cast including many Chicago theater and improv talents makes this directorial debut a must-see.  From director Jack C. Newell, executive producer Joe Rosengarten, producer Ron Falzone [= from COLUMBIA College], editor Jill DiBiase of Optimus and director of photography Stephanie Dufford. ”

…  Screening Information: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 -- screening begins with a 6 pm Pre-Show Cocktail Reception [with a CASH bar] ...  The Producers Panel will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the theater.  "CLOSE QUARTERS" screens promptly at 7:30 p.m. ...  Any Q&A with the director will probably start around 9:00 pm...  A post-screening reception will be held immediately following the screening events (namely, around 9:40 pm or so), at Forno Diablo, 433 West Diversey.  For more information, please visit www.MidwestFilm.org ...






...  One of the participant's in the nite's "PRODUCER'S Panel" is scheduled to be Director ROGER KUMBLE (pictured below), who is in town to direct the new MTV series "UNDEREMPLOYED"...  His credits include "Entourage", "Cruel Intentions" and the Ryan Reynolds comedy "Just Friends"... 

…  The theater used holds around 300 people, & certain of those seats are usually reserved for "special" guests involved with the new film & the like...  Other people who arrive at the theater wait in line for "first-come” entry into available seats for the events...

...  I hope the above proves HELPFUL to you, & that you ENJOY any involvements you  have in the industry!...

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