The Virginian-Pilot
©
NEWPORT NEWS
Parlan Cairns' long, dark hair fell in front of his face as he handed a casting director his application and photo.
"So here's the question: If they want to alter the hair a little bit, are you willing?" asked Shannon Cain at Sunday's open casting call for the movie "The Box."
Parlan and his dad, Stephen, nodded, pointing out that they could bring a 1971 MGB automobile, too.
Cain, one of the film's casting directors, smiled broadly.
"We are still looking for people and cars from the '70s and late '60s," Cain said as people from Virginia and North Carolina filled out applications to be extras in the movie. A portion of it will be filmed at NASA Langley Research Center at the end of January.
Based on a short story by Richard Matheson, the movie is about a couple that is given a mysterious box. If they press a button in the box, it will lead to money but also the death of a stranger.
The story takes place in the 1970s. The director of the movie, Newport News native Richard Kelly, needs men with long hair, sideburns and striking faces to be extras in the thriller, which stars Cameron Diaz and James Marsden. A publicist said he does not know if the stars will be in the scenes filmed in Virginia.
"We had some great faces come in today," Cain said, flipping through photos and stopping on those that struck her as having a hippie look. "They're really trying to get an authentic '70s feeling into the film."
Many people knew little about the film, having heard just enough in a radio ad to know there was an open casting call in Newport News. People were eager to be cast in the film; one woman even offered to grow facial hair, while a man offered to dress as a woman.
Robbie Brown, 15, said he looks for casting calls religiously. Brown, who has been an extra in an HBO miniseries and a movie, plans to be an actor and model one day.
"I'm constantly on the computer looking for everything I can find," said the Western Branch High School sophomore, who, with his younger brothers, turned in an application for "The Box" on Sunday. "I'm serious about this."
Those selected as extras will be contacted in about a week. Most of the movie is being filmed in Boston, and Cain did not know how many extras would be needed for the filming in Virginia. By the end of the day, Cain had seen roughly 370 hopefuls.
Stephen and Parlan Cairns were confident they would get one of the calls.
"I think we're a shoo-in, especially with the 1971 MGB," Stephen said.
Amy Couteé, (757) 222-5216, amy.coutee@pilotonline.com
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Working as an Extra...info
Having done quite a bit of Extra work both here and in LA, I can provide some basic guidelines to working as an Extra on the set. First and foremost, don't look directly at the camera unless specifically directed to do so. Don't ask for autographs or pictures with the lead actors...you are there to work and it's un-professional to go around taking pictures and asking for autographs. Show up on time. Most likely you will check in with either the 1st or 2nd A.D.(Assistant Director). Stay in the holding area until called to the set. Don't wander about behind the scenes, for there will be a ton of equipment on the set such as lights, stands, wires, and cables. Watch your step! Be aware of your surroundings. If you here: "Watch your back!" or "Make a hole!" that means crew members are coming through with heavy equipment. It's a "hurry up and wait" atmosphere...people might be a bit on edge..don't take it personally. "Back to One!"..this is a direction given to extras by either the 1st or 2nd A.D...basically you will be given a "first starting position("1"), and told to move on "Background action!" to an end mark(2nd position)weather it's just walking across the room or just a few feet.