Date: Fri 01-Sep-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Sleepers-casting-call-

Full Text:

Newtown Becomes Tinseltown For An Afternoon

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

The call to the firehouse and ambulance could not have come at a worse time:

the noon whistle was in progress at Edmond Town Hall, Main Street was jammed

with cars of wanna-be movie stars, the matinee was soon to begin, and local

business people were trying to find a way to avoid the snarled traffic and get

some lunch.

At that moment, more than 1,000 people were in a line completely circling town

hall, hoping to be chosen as an extra for Sleepers, a feature film with

Hollywood superstars Brad Pitt and Robert DeNiro. Seventy-five lucky males

were chosen that day for the first scene at Fairfield Hills Hospital, to be

shot September 5.

Some people arrived as early as 8:30 am. Some had gotten a sixties-style

haircut and dressed for the part. Aspiring actors and actresses were serious

about their day's mission, while others had just rolled out of bed in search

of something to do.

The casting call began at noon in the gymnasium of Edmond Town Hall, and by

12:25 pm, 285 potential extras had already had their picture taken. Those who

waited for their turn got acquainted with others in line and even ventured up

to the concession stand in the lobby of the town hall - which had opened for

the 1 pm matinee of The Indian in the Cupboard - for some popcorn and soda. No

one seemed in a rush.

Although photographs were taken of approximately 2,500 people who applied, a

lucky 1,000 will be able to be in the Newtown scenes, most of which will be

filmed mid-November through the end of the month. But Greg Carnrick of Newtown

was one of the group picked from the crowd for the first shoot September 5.

"I went in about 10 o'clock. Around 11 or 11:30, guys started handing out blue

sheets for boys to fill out and pink sheets for girls. We had to fill out our

height and weight and that sort of thing," said Greg, who is almost 15.

"Then everybody made a made rush to the counter to get a number. Mine was 35.

They lined you up against the wall in sets of four and they took a picture of

you while you were holding the number up."

While all this was going on, one of the casting crew was "looking for people

he liked," said Greg. "He came over to me and said, `How tall are you? How old

are you? Go talk to the lady over there.'"

Greg was measured for wardrobe, told he would need to report for the first

shoot by 6 am, and would possibly be in subsequent shoots, which will take

place at FHH later this year.

Mike Switser, 12, of Newtown, was also one of the first to have his picture

taken.

"I came early because I didn't want to wait all day. I'm hoping to have a

chance," he said. "I was in modelling when I was little - I made the third

casting cut for the Luv's diaper commercial. If I'm in this movie, maybe I'll

be able to get into other movies and work my way up to a lead."

Newtown residents Corrine Kirchhoff, 13, and her brother, Justin, 12, were

also patiently waiting for the casting crew to arrive. She was hoping to be an

extra so she could put it on her resume and avoid "trying out for everything"

in the future.

Her brother, who had already appeared in educational videos, hoped this might

be a big chance. But he didn't do a lot to prepare for this particular

opportunity. "I got a couple of photos," Justin said. "I didn't get a haircut,

but I took a shower."

Not all who came to try out were local. Josh Powell, 17, and three of his

friends were from Hartford. "I want to be in the movie just to show my family

and friends," he said. "Something to do for summer."

Although many young women didn't seem thrilled with the idea of starring in a

movie with Robert DeNiro, their faces absolutely lit up when Brad Pitt's name

was mentioned. Most, however, seemed to realize neither star would be in town

for the Newtown filming; their scenes will be shot in New York City.

"Yeah," said Carla Johnson of Colchester. "Being in a movie with Brad Pitt -

that would be good."

Her friend, Cory Lawrence of Windsor, came because, "I really had nothing else

to do today. I got here at 9 am," he said. "There is nothing to do in

Windsor."

Twenty-year old Robert Orlando of Monroe said he was trying out because people

had told him he could probably get the part. "I played football in high

school," he said. "I cut my hair - I was going to get it cut anyway - but I

cut it real short. Keep it neat."

Because most scenes will depict a juvenile prison, the call went out for

clean-cut looking men - little facial hair, short haircuts - as well as

football players. A few older men are needed to act as guards, and some women

may appear in hospital and neighborhood scenes.

"I have a friend who's in theater and wanted me to come along," said Geoff

Brenna of Monroe, who came to the casting call with longish hair and unshaven

face. He said he would make a career of acting "if dumb luck would have it

[that I was discovered].

"But it's too scary for me to throw my life into it, to really pursue acting,"

he said. "It is very difficult... But I do have a passion for it as far as the

arts go. It's just a risky lifestyle."

Even though the criteria was specific, some just came as they were: with long

hair and/or unshaven.

Nick Clement of West Hartford stood patiently in line outside town hall,

holding a sign that read: Will Cut Hair For Work. "I don't want to cut my hair

now, but I'd cut it to be in the movies," he said. "I'd dye it, shave it, or

go bald if they picked me."

Casting Director Grant Wilfley said he was pleased at the large turnout, but

added the crew fell short of finding extras who were ethnically diverse.

Because of this, he is still accepting photographs of those who would like to

be in the scenes filmed in November.

While three of his friends and fellow actors looked on, Joe Schiappa, 17, of

Shelton was plucked from the crowd and told to report for the first shoot. He

didn't have black high-topped Converse sneakers (those applying needed to

indicate that on their blue application) but said wardrobe would provide that.

Was he hoping for a starring role? "Right now I'd settle for anything. I want

to be a film director," he said.

"A couple of older guys were chosen - 30, 40-ish," said Greg Carnrick. "No

gangsters. You know, cleancut like James Dean - preppy."

Greg, like all other youth interviewed, said he wasn't very concerned about

missing a day or two of school. "To be able to say I was in the movie... I

mean, how many people are living wallpaper," he asked, referring to being an

extra in a background shot.

The casting crew carefully packed up the box of photographs, camera equipment,

and measuring tape, and quietly left Newtown Monday afternoon, a little after

4 pm. But the phones continued to ring at town hall.

Dispatcher Carol Mayhew, who had answered more than 700 calls that day

relating to the casting call, was still answering questions at 7 pm. Due to

errors publicized in a Bridgeport paper and on a radio spot which stated the

crew would be considering extras beginning at 4 pm, Carol was giving out

directions to Newtown from insistent hopefuls.

But we can all take a deep breath now and relax - until September 5, that is,

when the excitement really begins.

(Bee reporter Shannon Hicks also contributed to this story.)