Local extras needed for movie casting

Bill Marienella Casting is searching for men to act as extras immediately starting next week as soon as April 5 and 6 to film in Statesboro. A 1950s Korean War-era film called “Devotion” is looking to fill extra roles as pirates, sailors and marines.

Filming will take place on the deck of the ship, with people scrambling to planes and working on aircrafts.

The casting company is searching for men of all ethnicities, ages ranging from 18-40, with a slender build and are cleanly shaven. The garments are actual antique costumes from the 50s, which make them size-specific to their era.

“The waist back in the 40s [and 50s] was actually at the belly button,” Casting Director Bill Marienlla said. “It’s not like the traditional waist is today. That’s something that people need to keep in mind for period shows. And that’s what both these shows are.”

Extras selected for “Devotion” would be paid $154 for a 12-hour working day on set. Covid tests are required and paid for by the production company. Due to strict safety protocols, it is encouraged that you arrive at your Covid test by yourself.

Marinella has worked casting on many people from all over the U.S. on major feature films such as Wonder Woman 1984, House of Cards, Ride Along 2, Ballers and The Librarian. And currently casting for Devotion, along with many other films around Southeast Georgia.

“It’s a great way for artists to see something fun that not a lot of people get to do that don’t live in LA or NY,” Marienella said.

After casting for “Devotion” ends, another big production film casting local men, women and possibly children begins. Fittings and cover testing to start mid-April with shooting to start the first week of May, ending in mid-May. Filming will consist of several overnights in a row, and split-shift, afternoon to night time, and work past midnight for a rate of $200 a for 12-hour working day.

“The biggest thing to be an extra is to have a flexible schedule,” Marienella said.

“You get to see what happens just to make a 3-second shot, how much work goes into that 3-second shot or that 1 minute of dialog,” Marienella explained. “Those types of things, you’ll learn as a background performer what it is and what is going on. I always thought that was kind of interesting when I first started in this business.”

There are several other projects in the works popping up in Savannah in the next couple of months.

“Now, all of a sudden Savannah, and the surrounding areas are a hot spot,” Marienella said. “You’ve got the ocean close enough to do your beach scenes, and you’ve got the small-town feel. And you’ve got enough towns that are quaint to look 1940s and then you’ve got towns that look like their the 1980s and towns that are modern. You’ve got a variety of counties and cities that filmmakers will flock to because of the way the lay of the land is, so to speak.”

Visit the Facebook page: facebook.com/BMCsavannah. To apply: kaast.app/bmc/2021-devotion-sailors-open-call. Must be in the KAAST Database to submit: eepurl.com/gqHsSj