More than 800 locals formed a sea of pomade and pin curls at Tuesday's casting call for extras in the upcoming Jackie Robinson film, "42."
"It's kind of exciting, getting to feel like you're in Hollywood even though we're just in Eastgate mall," said acting hopeful Katie Redmond.
Many who turned out stand a good chance of getting on the big screen.
"We'll be bringing in a thousand [extras] or more. This is a big shoot," said casting director Rose Locke.
She said she wants real-looking people with "character faces" that stand out, such as jowly men or those with expressive mustaches.
"[Principal actors] have that Hollywood beautiful," Locke said, but for extras, she noted, "I like those faces who -- no one else looks like them."
Extras who appeared in period dress, makeup and hairstyles also stood a better chance of getting hired. During filming, extras are given costumes but must do their own hair and makeup.
Jessica Eubanks sported her grandmother's authentic '40s gloves, purse and pearls, and she and her friends curled each others' hair before they arrived to look the part.
"I just channeled my grandfather and hid my tattoos. I had to buy suspenders because obviously I didn't have those," said Shawn Watwood, who also participated in the April 4 screen test in which the crew established their camera angles.
"They've gone all out," potential extra Paul Worland said of the crowd. He would know, as he mentioned that to get into character he just thought of his own youth in the '40s and '50s.
The casting company's only wardrobe demand was, "ABSOLUTELY NO BROWN," according to the casting call. Locke explained that they have to insist because potential extras look through old photos for inspiration and all come in sepia-toned outfits. She'd rather see them in vibrant colors.
Auditioneers cited a number of reasons for coming to the casting call, from seeing themselves on the big screen to meeting star Harrison Ford to working up to bigger roles. It would be nice to make some extra money, too, a few said.
"Background actors," as they are politely known, are paid $64 per day, and $12 an hour after eight hours.
They can expect to work 12- to 14-hour days when filming begins in mid-May, Locke explained, because they need to be on hand whenever a scene is shot from a new angle to preserve the film's continuity.
"You need to have your schedule cleared the whole day," she said.
Cecilia Davidson-Farkas, a spokeswoman for Catrett Locke Casting, said the film will have different extra requirements from day to day, needing a dozen one day and enough to fill Engel Stadium the next.
Those with acting backgrounds might even get promoted to featured extras, explained Davidson-Farkas.
While they're unlikely to have speaking parts, featured extras get pushed to the front of crowds and placed around lead actors so that their expressions and reactions can be captured more clearly on screen.
