CJSchneider
08-20-2009, 09:15 PM
OK so many of you have heard about the casting call for the movie "Strawdogs" I answered. Last night at 7 PM, I began a 12 hour shoot that was amazing and crappy all at once.
When I arrived they sent us through check in and wardrobe. I wore my own clothes so I didn't any of the crap they were offering. The teams' colors were either orange and brown (Blackwater High Bengals) or blue and white (Awatca High Mudbugs - I wonder where they got that idea -we have a local semi-pro hockey team called the mudbugs). After wardrobe they sent us to eat.
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/33/imga0129.jpg
Nasty hotdogs and stale nacho chips -yummm
At about 8:30 they took us to the field to begin the shoot. The field they used belonged to the local HS that recently moved to a new facility (which is why they used this location -no one would be in the way). I quickly learned a few things about PA's (Production assistants) 1. They all wear those crappy looking, "I took a drama class in HS" douche bag hats; you know the ones I'm talking about. 2. They are all douche bags or bitches and they don't know nearly as much as they think they do. 3. They worship black electrical tape.
We were led to the field and handed props (signs, pom-poms etc) many people brought there own signs. I could have gotten in with the SWDC sign if I hadn't listened to Brent. During the shoot the teams ran the same 3 plays over and over again. I was lucky enough to sit by a few guys who knew football, but I LOL'd at the people who were upset that they kept running that stupid run play to the left. What was great was when we were ordered to "pantomime" our celebrations - basically cheering in mute. Try acting like you are watching a HS football game and getting excited without making sound. You feel like a ****** I swear.
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6185/imga0134.jpg
Numerous times we were told, to change our shirts(colors) and switch sides of the field. At around 1 AM we were fed lunch wich consisted of the dryest, nastiest chicken breast I have ever tasted and some crappy sides (rice, chili, fruit salad).
At about 2 AM we began shooting again. I did get to see James Woods who is in the film.
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/8774/imga0142o.jpg
At one point, delirious due to lack of sleep, I shouted out "We love you James, you were great in Contact" He responded with a thumbs up. I actually was able to get much closer, but they threatened to take away our cameras when some dork got too close and began irritating Woods, so I didn't risk a close up shot. At about 5:30 AM we finished shooting. This led to another hour and a half in line turning in our pay sheets. It was humid as hell that morning, I was tired, sweaty and everyone around me smelt like ass and bad catering. When all was said and done, I rushed home, showered and changed, and rushed off to work. I was in zombie mode all day.
I hope to see this film a year from now and show you all where I am in the movie. If you ever get the chance to answer a casting call like this, I say go for it. Bring a bag to keep your stuff in, a book to read and some deodorant and you'll come out fine.
When I arrived they sent us through check in and wardrobe. I wore my own clothes so I didn't any of the crap they were offering. The teams' colors were either orange and brown (Blackwater High Bengals) or blue and white (Awatca High Mudbugs - I wonder where they got that idea -we have a local semi-pro hockey team called the mudbugs). After wardrobe they sent us to eat.
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/33/imga0129.jpg
Nasty hotdogs and stale nacho chips -yummm
At about 8:30 they took us to the field to begin the shoot. The field they used belonged to the local HS that recently moved to a new facility (which is why they used this location -no one would be in the way). I quickly learned a few things about PA's (Production assistants) 1. They all wear those crappy looking, "I took a drama class in HS" douche bag hats; you know the ones I'm talking about. 2. They are all douche bags or bitches and they don't know nearly as much as they think they do. 3. They worship black electrical tape.
We were led to the field and handed props (signs, pom-poms etc) many people brought there own signs. I could have gotten in with the SWDC sign if I hadn't listened to Brent. During the shoot the teams ran the same 3 plays over and over again. I was lucky enough to sit by a few guys who knew football, but I LOL'd at the people who were upset that they kept running that stupid run play to the left. What was great was when we were ordered to "pantomime" our celebrations - basically cheering in mute. Try acting like you are watching a HS football game and getting excited without making sound. You feel like a ****** I swear.
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6185/imga0134.jpg
Numerous times we were told, to change our shirts(colors) and switch sides of the field. At around 1 AM we were fed lunch wich consisted of the dryest, nastiest chicken breast I have ever tasted and some crappy sides (rice, chili, fruit salad).
At about 2 AM we began shooting again. I did get to see James Woods who is in the film.
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/8774/imga0142o.jpg
At one point, delirious due to lack of sleep, I shouted out "We love you James, you were great in Contact" He responded with a thumbs up. I actually was able to get much closer, but they threatened to take away our cameras when some dork got too close and began irritating Woods, so I didn't risk a close up shot. At about 5:30 AM we finished shooting. This led to another hour and a half in line turning in our pay sheets. It was humid as hell that morning, I was tired, sweaty and everyone around me smelt like ass and bad catering. When all was said and done, I rushed home, showered and changed, and rushed off to work. I was in zombie mode all day.
I hope to see this film a year from now and show you all where I am in the movie. If you ever get the chance to answer a casting call like this, I say go for it. Bring a bag to keep your stuff in, a book to read and some deodorant and you'll come out fine.