Being in a movie is something many people in Hollywood and other parts of the world dream about every day. For some LSU students, that opportunity may be closer than they think.
This past weekend, Tara High School hosted an open casting call for extras for the movie “Unchain My Heart.” The movie will be filmed later this year.
“I’m just here because my girlfriend came,” said electrical engineering freshman Stephen Pumilia. “I figured, why not? And if I get cast, it’ll be something to tell my kids someday.”
Many people attended the open casting call, most looking forward to the chance to be an extra for the film.
“I just figured that I would try the whole acting thing,” said LSU law student Ari Ellerbe. “There are a lot of lawyers who act. They take a case and then live off of the money that they made while they audition.”
The film, “Unchain My Heart” is the story of Ray Charles’ life. The film is set from 1935 to 1979 and will star Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles.
“We’re looking for all types of people of all ages. The film spans many decades so we’re looking at faces a lot, faces that look like they belong in a certain time,” said Tim Hammond, the casting assistant.
Hammond warns that being an extra is not all fun and games. It most likely will be a 12-hour day and extras are expected to stay the entire day. He recommends extras bring something to entertain themselves. Also, people cast as extras must come in for a fitting a week in advance of the actual shooting of the film.
“It’s an experience, something fun to remember,” said Shirley Crumley, the casting director. “Like a bad camping trip, when you look back on it, it’s not so bad. And when you see yourself in the movie, then it really makes it worth it.”
The film is here in part because of the active campaigning of the Louisiana Film Commission, which has been trying to promote Louisiana as a viable location for filming movies.
“I found out about it from www.lafilm.org. I’ve been an extra before, and it was really exciting,” said mass communication sophomore Lauren Boyd. “It’s not something that you get to experience every day.”
For those who missed this weekend’s casting call, there will be another open casting call for extras March 22 in Hammond. It will be held at the Vonnie Borden Theater on Southeastern Louisiana University’s campus. Those interested should attend any time between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and bring a non-returnable, recent snapshot.