2008 Woodie Awards
Gere movie seeks extras
Jessica Medeiros
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: News
01/30/08 - Students at the University of Rhode Island spend a good part of their lives sitting in class, so why would they volunteer to do it in their free time?
Maybe it would help if actor Richard Gere were the professor.
While this class is clearly not available in the University Course Catalog, Gere will "teach" a class next month while filming a scene for "Hachiko: A Dog's Story" and LDI Casting in Providence is looking for students to volunteer as extras.
"Hachiko: A Dog's Story" is based on a true story of a University of Tokyo professor whose dog Hachiko saw him off each day at the front door. In the evening, the dog would find his way to the local train station to greet the professor.
When the professor, played by Gere, dies, the dog returns to the station every evening in search for his master to come off the train. Hachiko's unfailing loyalty to the professor, named Parker in the movies adaptation of the story, has made him a veritable legend and spurred a 1987 Japanese film.
In the American version, the pivotal scene where Parker dies will be filmed at URI in a yet-to-be-determined lecture hall. LDI Casting needs about 80 to 120 people to portray Parker's students and is looking for students from a variety of backgrounds.
"We're looking for diversity, because it is supposed to be a school in New York," LDI Casting Director Anne Mulhall said. "We're looking for all types. However, because it is a music class, we're not necessarily looking for 'jock' types, but we're not excluding anyone."
Acting experience is not necessary as there are no speaking roles for extras in this scene but Mulhall encouraged students interested in theater or cinematography to volunteer.
"Especially for students who are interested in film, this could be a really good learning experience," she said. "Students will get to see how a whole scene gets put together."
The scene will be filmed on Feb. 26 or 27 and will last for about half a day. Other scenes have been shot in Providence and elsewhere around the state.
A law recently passed by the state gives film producers tax breaks on certain expenses associated with producing movies and has made the state appealing to producers who collect the tax breaks and sell them to wealthy taxpayers.
Students interested in playing extras should send headshots and resumes to ldicasting@cox.net with a subject related to URI or the film. LDI Casting will reply to those chosen to appear in the scene, providing information about the exact time, location and wardrobe.
Maybe it would help if actor Richard Gere were the professor.
While this class is clearly not available in the University Course Catalog, Gere will "teach" a class next month while filming a scene for "Hachiko: A Dog's Story" and LDI Casting in Providence is looking for students to volunteer as extras.
"Hachiko: A Dog's Story" is based on a true story of a University of Tokyo professor whose dog Hachiko saw him off each day at the front door. In the evening, the dog would find his way to the local train station to greet the professor.
When the professor, played by Gere, dies, the dog returns to the station every evening in search for his master to come off the train. Hachiko's unfailing loyalty to the professor, named Parker in the movies adaptation of the story, has made him a veritable legend and spurred a 1987 Japanese film.
In the American version, the pivotal scene where Parker dies will be filmed at URI in a yet-to-be-determined lecture hall. LDI Casting needs about 80 to 120 people to portray Parker's students and is looking for students from a variety of backgrounds.
"We're looking for diversity, because it is supposed to be a school in New York," LDI Casting Director Anne Mulhall said. "We're looking for all types. However, because it is a music class, we're not necessarily looking for 'jock' types, but we're not excluding anyone."
Acting experience is not necessary as there are no speaking roles for extras in this scene but Mulhall encouraged students interested in theater or cinematography to volunteer.
"Especially for students who are interested in film, this could be a really good learning experience," she said. "Students will get to see how a whole scene gets put together."
The scene will be filmed on Feb. 26 or 27 and will last for about half a day. Other scenes have been shot in Providence and elsewhere around the state.
A law recently passed by the state gives film producers tax breaks on certain expenses associated with producing movies and has made the state appealing to producers who collect the tax breaks and sell them to wealthy taxpayers.
Students interested in playing extras should send headshots and resumes to ldicasting@cox.net with a subject related to URI or the film. LDI Casting will reply to those chosen to appear in the scene, providing information about the exact time, location and wardrobe.