2008 Woodie Awards
Student actors try luck as extras
Issue date: 2/22/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Megan Bradberry
Staff Writer
John Cusack, Harrison Ford, Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz and Adam Sandler are five Hollywood names that have something in common. Before they had achieved their multi-million dollar superstar status, they all started off small. Whether it was in the role of an extra or a brief cameo, the experience all worked as a platform to reaching their dreams. A few North Greenville students are hoping to achieve the same goals.
Jessica Snyder, senior theater, began her career in acting when she worked as an extra in Disney's Remember the Titans in 2000. She was later an extra in Dumb and Dumberer in 2003. Both movies were being filmed around Atlanta. Snyder had heard about the parts through the newspaper. Snyder will also be appearing in a documentary on The Learning Channel that will debut later this year.
Snyder loves being able to work as an extra. As a theater major, Snyder says that it is good experience-it looks great on a resume.
"You are star struck by big name actors such as Denzel Washington, you get free T-shirts, free food and get paid," said Snyder. "You get to feel like you're famous for a day."
Amanda Tallcott, junior theater, like Snyder, has also been able to land her mark as an extra in several movies, such as 2005's Awaken the Dawn and When a Stranger Calls. She hopes to be able to use this experience to help further her acting career.
"The answer to why I do this is continually changing. That's why it's [acting] art. It poses questions and inspires change. It just makes you a better person," said Tallcott.
Tallcott wants to be able to use an acting career to become a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations and "be a voice to those who don't have a voice."
Allan Williams, senior business management, has been an extra in two movies in the past year. He made an appearance in Walker Payne starring Jason Patrick, which was filmed last year in parts of Rock Hill, Camden and Gaffney. He is also working as an extra in Talladega Nights-The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, starring Will Ferrell.
Walker Payne premiers this April at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Talladega Nights comes out in theaters nationwide August of this year.
Williams had previous acting experience before working in the film. Williams also applied for being a photo double for actor Jason Patrick. Being a photo double requires standing for the actor during the certain scenes. Williams looks forward to more acting experience in films.
Paul Davis, freshman marketing, Courtney Lynn, freshman psychology, and Amber Polk, freshman early childhood education, also were extras in Talladega Nights. These young aspiring actors became aware of these opportunities through open casting calls that were announced on the news, local newspapers and friends who had similar interests.
Lynn is a big fan of Will Ferrell and has an interest in drama and jumped at the chance to be in the film. These students say that is a fun, good experience and the 50 dollars a day does not hurt.
"You get to say you were in a movie, sometimes meet and interact with celebrities and it's an easy and fun way to make a little money," Williams said.
Staff Writer
John Cusack, Harrison Ford, Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz and Adam Sandler are five Hollywood names that have something in common. Before they had achieved their multi-million dollar superstar status, they all started off small. Whether it was in the role of an extra or a brief cameo, the experience all worked as a platform to reaching their dreams. A few North Greenville students are hoping to achieve the same goals.
Jessica Snyder, senior theater, began her career in acting when she worked as an extra in Disney's Remember the Titans in 2000. She was later an extra in Dumb and Dumberer in 2003. Both movies were being filmed around Atlanta. Snyder had heard about the parts through the newspaper. Snyder will also be appearing in a documentary on The Learning Channel that will debut later this year.
Snyder loves being able to work as an extra. As a theater major, Snyder says that it is good experience-it looks great on a resume.
"You are star struck by big name actors such as Denzel Washington, you get free T-shirts, free food and get paid," said Snyder. "You get to feel like you're famous for a day."
Amanda Tallcott, junior theater, like Snyder, has also been able to land her mark as an extra in several movies, such as 2005's Awaken the Dawn and When a Stranger Calls. She hopes to be able to use this experience to help further her acting career.
"The answer to why I do this is continually changing. That's why it's [acting] art. It poses questions and inspires change. It just makes you a better person," said Tallcott.
Tallcott wants to be able to use an acting career to become a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations and "be a voice to those who don't have a voice."
Allan Williams, senior business management, has been an extra in two movies in the past year. He made an appearance in Walker Payne starring Jason Patrick, which was filmed last year in parts of Rock Hill, Camden and Gaffney. He is also working as an extra in Talladega Nights-The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, starring Will Ferrell.
Walker Payne premiers this April at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Talladega Nights comes out in theaters nationwide August of this year.
Williams had previous acting experience before working in the film. Williams also applied for being a photo double for actor Jason Patrick. Being a photo double requires standing for the actor during the certain scenes. Williams looks forward to more acting experience in films.
Paul Davis, freshman marketing, Courtney Lynn, freshman psychology, and Amber Polk, freshman early childhood education, also were extras in Talladega Nights. These young aspiring actors became aware of these opportunities through open casting calls that were announced on the news, local newspapers and friends who had similar interests.
Lynn is a big fan of Will Ferrell and has an interest in drama and jumped at the chance to be in the film. These students say that is a fun, good experience and the 50 dollars a day does not hurt.
"You get to say you were in a movie, sometimes meet and interact with celebrities and it's an easy and fun way to make a little money," Williams said.