Flashback to the gym scene, circa 1995. Nipple-grazing tanks, spandex shorts, and Chuck Taylors abound (as do 'roid rages and tacky fades). Lucky us -- these glory days are returning to the streets of Miami with Michael Bay's newest flick, Pain and Gain. And the film's casting directors held an open audition for extras over the weekend, instructing potential background talent to wear their most convincing '90s styles.
We couldn't miss that, could we? So we stopped in to get the skinny on what director Michael Bay's looking for in his oh-so-important extras. (Hint: It's not acting skills.)
Word is, Bay hand-picks each and every person who makes it on screen -- a tall order. So we showed up expecting a mass of wannabe actors and bodybuilders -- and were totally
shocked at the relatively modest number of people in attendance. And while
the casting notice requested that attendees dress in '90s era gear,
sadly, few people donned themed getups. Bummer.
As we gathered en masse, the casting director immediately laid down the
law. Extras must have open availability; they must answer their phones; they must show up on time; they must surrender their first-born child, etc. If not, he gets the blame.
(We wanted to warn the dude that this is Miami, after all, and he may face some serious issues with Cuban time, but we digress.)
After sitting and waiting, the "audition" consisted of three snapshots,
taken by some quick-moving staffers. And ... that's it. Extras will be chosen
solely on their look - so hopefully you've got something that catches
Mr. Bay's discriminating eye. They want all ages, all ethnicities, so
anyone's got a shot.
Based on our experience, if you're looking to score a background role,
here are some tips to help you on your quest to peripheral fame:
1. If you have a car from the '90s or earlier, you get bonus points. They're looking for all makes and models.
2. You must have a flexible schedule. Like, completely flexible: able to work anytime, at a moment's notice, with no conflicts. So this
situation is obviously best for the unemployed or independently wealthy.
3. Be 18+. They'll need kid actors at some point, but it sounds like they'll be seeking them out through other channels.
4. If you weren't able to attend the open casting call, you can email
recent pics, measurements (height, weight, dress size, jacket size,
etc.), availability, and contact information to [email protected]. (If
you've got a '90s era car, include pics and info on that too.)
Good luck to you, in all your gymrat glory.
--Hannah Sentenac
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