casting call!

I almost convinced myself not to post this - I somehow thought that if I wrote about the recent casting call for the Dark Knight Rises movie, set to film soon in Pittsburgh, that I'd let other people in on the secret and I'd be pushed out in my attempt to be an extra (or anything, really...anything at all) in the film.  That was probably (probably?) a case of me not realizing just how little impact something like that would have on life in general and my chances with this movie specifically, so here we are!

For the past few months I've been waiting for the call to be made, and now it's almost here: this weekend will begin an open call for extras for next month's filming of the Batman sequel.  The Pittsburgh Film Office relayed this message from Smith & Webster-Davis/Nancy Mosser Cating, which was then quickly picked up in this article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which says that around 2,000 extras will be needed to play "prisoners, thugs, guards, businessmen and women and sports fans".  If I get to play someone dead...oh man, one of my life's ambitions will be fulfilled (really).

The film is running (for now) under the working title "Magnus Rex."  The Pittsburgh Film Office's Facebook page had the below announcement, which had a pretty funny reply:

Heh.

I'm going to try and show up for this Saturday's casting call.  I won't know if I'll be chosen to play an extra for another month and a half at the earliest, but here's hoping I can pull it off for at least a few days.   Maybe all that time on One Tree Hill will finally pay off.  Maybe.

Batman in the 'Burgh?

A few days ago, news hit that the Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" would be looking to film in Pittsburgh for a significant portion of time.  Because of this, there was much rejoicing.  Just today, though, an update has surfaced that unless the funds in Pennsylvania's Film Tax Credit Program are made available, the production will look for other cities in which to film.  And thus, there was much wailing and moaning.

Here is why this topic is important to me: BECAUSE I WANT TO BE IN THE DAMN MOVIE.  If this Batman sequel films in Pittsburgh over the summer, 2012 will see both Franks and Beans co-stars with extra roles.  Perhaps we could be filmed falling off a building, getting run over by a tank, or being eviscerated by Bane.  My point is, the possibilities are endless, but they will not happen if this film moves elsewhere.

Besides being in the highly regarded and acclaimed Franks and Beans (seriously, watch the videos.  I said do it!), both Larry and I have been extras in a few productions over the last several years (someone even asked for Larry's autograph after he was in "The Dukes of Hazzard" film.  ...no, it wasn't me).  I was recently in my seventh episode of the WB's "One Tree Hill", and Larry had a relatively large role in the pilot of "Three Rivers".  Here's the thing, though - "One Tree Hill" and "Three Rivers" are awful.  Terrible, terrible stuff, really.  Getting to be in the new Batman movie, though - part of a series of films that have proven to be works of art to be cherished for centuries to come - would make up for all that dreck.

Pittsburgh area Nancy Mosser Casting even sent this panicked e-mail a few hours ago, in all caps and everything, so you know it's serious:

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND THE GOVERNOR IMMEDIATELY TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE PA FILM TAX CREDIT OR WE WILL LOSE BATMAN!!! THEY ARE MAKING THE DECISION THIS WEEKEND ON WHETHER TO FILM HERE AND IF THE TAX FREEZE ISN'T LIFTED, THEY WILL LEAVE.

Because of all this, I need to be in this movie.  And thus it needs to film in Pittsburgh.  So wake up, Pennsylvania, and do this.  For me.  The phone number to Governor Tom Corbett's office is (717) 787-2500.  Call them and tell them Franks and Beans sent you.  Or just...whatever you want to say.  You get what I'm saying.