Hollywood hopefuls were front and center Saturday trying to land camera time in a Jamie Foxx film to be shot around the city.
Staffer Anthony Mecca, right, helped control the flow of talent Saturday at Southwark House with the 800 potential extras patiently waiting to hear, "Action!" Staff photo by Greg Bezanis
Matt Shantz may not be the actor in the family, but he decided to have some fun Saturday morning. His 12-year-old son, who has a private acting coach, had received an e-mail about a casting call for "Law Abiding Citizen" that is to be set and shot in Philadelphia.
When Heery Casting held the open auditions for extras ages 18 to 70 for the psychological thriller starring Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at Southwark House, Front and Ellsworth streets, the result was some friendly family competition.
"He said I better not get the part because he's been practicing more than I have," Shantz, from 13th and Porter streets, said with a laugh.
But the overall competition to snag a spot in the F. Gary Gray-directed feature was fierce with about 800 hopefuls, including union and non-union actors, vying for camera time. Each was asked to bring a photo along with contact and size information. Some that casting director Diane Heery, from Heery Casting at 408 Vine St., thought could be used as a stand-in for one of the leads or in a featured role, such as a prison guard or a cop, had another picture taken.
When Bullies Sports Bar and Restaurant at the Wachovia Spectrum, where she held the "Transformers" casting, was not available, Heery chose Southwark because of its accessibility and convenience.
"We can line people along the street and not annoy people," she said. "There's free parking under 95 and decent public transportation."
She recalled past calls where 3,000 people turned up within five hours for pictures including "Invincible" and "Rocky Balboa," where temperatures at 10 degrees did not deter those in the line that was six deep and ran three blocks.
Not everyone is cut out to be an extra, Heery said, believing it takes a particular type.
"People who really enjoy being in the movie-making process, because it's going to be cold," she said.
Acting for six years with extra work in movies such as "In Her Shoes," "Annapolis" and "Invincible," Sonia Vitullo said she really likes being involved in films.
"I try to get a part in any movie I can. It's good to be on set and see how movies are made," the resident of 15th and Ritner streets said.
Joan Dow, who grew up at Sixth and Dickinson streets, but now resides in Bensalem, enjoys spending her retirement with her husband on movie sets, adding, "It's something to do together." As an extra in the Mark Wahlberg-starring "Shooter" and "The Happening," Dow has never spied herself onscreen, although she has seen the back of her husband's head in "Shooter," she said.
Shadia Chandler is looking to advance her career, having been a model, so she came out Saturday to her first casting call.
"I hope it's a lucky time," the resident of 23rd and Mifflin streets said.
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1. actordad said... on Feb 7, 2009 at 05:09PM
“You ought to be following up when you place them false statements like this in you paper. Let us see who from Philly really got them speaking roles Diane Heery be talking about?? We would like those 25-30 local names. You honest media, then call up Heery cause by now they know. Announce it why won't you, you going to be talking like that. They be doing great things for them Philadelphia actors right. Actors from Philadelphia never get no speaking roles in them movies that coming to town, and ain't nobody in the biz care about that. Heery casts "extras", and that about it to Philadelphia actors. It wrong to be talking any different for publicity to be giving to a casting director that do not care and is rude to begin wit. Real actors in this town ain't got nothing bearly ever to work on but it worse to pretend like you got roles for them to play and only call to be an extra part. Though they throw ads up sayingthey looking for background and speaking roles or even "principal" parts they obviously just getting more people in for them extra roles. And let me tell you placing ads for open calls stating you hiring speaking parts clearly be wrong and against right procedures professionally. Actors in Philadelphia be getting real fed up about it too for sure. I been hearing it about across the city. When someone tell you they be casting 25-30 speaking roles in a major film to locals you should get them role names. Bring on the article that give us that or call the above what it is just false advertising and publicity for Heery Casting. Some of us ain't afraid to call no spade a spade no matter how cool a casting office think they be. Also, someone getting an upgrade from an extra part to speaking ain't no speaking role you gots cast in, two different things, ain't nothing a casting directoor can claim in casting.Just ain't right. Bring on the names.”
2. Kyle said... on Feb 13, 2009 at 11:30AM
“Does anybody know the next philly area they will be shooting at next?”