Thousands Respond to Casting Call for Extras in Steve Jobs Film

[MacRumors]

With filming on the upcoming Steve Jobs film underway in the company's hometown of Cupertino, California, thousands of people responded to a casting call over the weekend, hoping to be included as extras in scenes being filmed at the Flint Center where Jobs unveiled the original Macintosh in 1984.

As reported by CNET's Shara Tibken, well over 2,000 people showed up in 80s-inspired attire to be extras for a scene in the upcoming movie, but hundreds including Tibken herself were turned away due to the overwhelming fan response to the casting call.

I thought I'd have no trouble getting onto the movie set at the Flint Center here since I was "confirmed" as an extra and arrived at the designated time. Silly me. After years of covering the lines at Apple events and product launches, I should have known better.

Potential extras began lining up at 5 AM despite instructions to arrive between 9 and 10 AM, with one member of the casting company calling the response "absolutely overwhelming."

According to the notice to be an extra, I was to take part in a scene from 1984 (which was evidently to be the Mac launch). It recommended that men have "big long sideburns" and that women should wear blouses that are "boxy in cut with larger shoulders." Everyone was supposed to wear layers. [...]

There were plenty of Cosby sweaters and plaid, flannel button-ups. And many women sported side ponytails and leg warmers, which didn't seem quite appropriate for Apple shareholders (Jobs introduced the Mac during a stockholder meeting in 1984).

According to one of the line minders, the film will be shooting in the Bay Area for another six to seven weeks, giving aspiring extras additional opportunities to try for a spot in the film, which is planned for release next year.

Article Link: Thousands Respond to Casting Call for Extras in Steve Jobs Film

 

[Tankmaze]

2000 apple fanboy & fangirl dress in vintage clothes... Sounds familiar...

 

[Col4bin]

Sometimes I wished I lived in an area of the country where this would even be an option (looking at you CA). Especially after all the recent snowfall here in the Northeast.

 

[2457282]

Sometimes I wished I lived in an area of the country where this would even be an option (looking at you CA). Especially after all the recent snowfall here in the Northeast.

Yes, I agree 100%. Taking part in a movie would be cool, but as I have a real job, not sure I could spend a day hanging out trying to be an extra. But it would be cool to go see a movie and see myself.

More than anything, it would be nice to live somewhere more tropical, with palm trees to remind me of home. /nostalgic

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I have a relative in CA who regularly appears as an extra in various movies and TV shows. Everyone else in the family makes fun of her for it, but as a result she has gotten her picture taken with various stars. She lives in the LA area, so I don't think she'll be making the trip to where this movie is being shot, though.

 

[adamfilip]

many people with "real jobs" take time off work / vaca day in order to be an extra in movies. its fun

 

[timshundo]

Also this happened on Saturday, not today. Totally possible if you have a weekday job.

 

[acctman]

it's a Hipsters meetup

 

[NY Guitarist]

it's a Hipsters meetup

I thought the 80's was the 'preppy' or 'big hair' thing.

 

[pdaholic]

Sometimes I wished I lived in an area of the country where this would even be an option (looking at you CA). Especially after all the recent snowfall here in the Northeast.

And those of us in CA who ski and snowboard are envious of your snow in the Northeast!

 

[BigJakeA]

I did it

I actually got to be one of the extras. It was loads of fun, but no movie starts on set that day. It was a Saturday, so I was able to do it without taking off work (teacher). While I can't give away any details, because we all signed nondisclosure agreements, I can say that Danny Boyle is one of the nicest guys around. He was amazing to all the people there and very thankful to the people that showed up. Like the article states, lots of people showed up in 80's party outfits. As we walked in they picked out people that were in 80s business attire to fill out the front half of the theater. The first few rows were filled with paid extras, and then the rest of us non-paid extras. They didn't do much except film reactions, but seeing the process of how a movie was being made was amazing.

 

[lincolntran]

But according to this site experts and armchair executives, nobody cares about this movie. Is it not true?

 

[tevion5]

but as I have a real job

So jobs that allow for such flexibility aren't as real as yours?

I always find the phrase "real job" to come across like an ultra conservative. You might be a raving liberal, but that what I hear. Like if you aren't shoveling coal everyday you aren't as good as real workin' folk. What about Kim who runs this site? I'm sure he pays his taxes like everyone else. But I bet he has more flexibility running a website than a construction worker. Doesn't make his job any less real in my mind.

 

[mojolicious]

But according to this site experts and armchair executives, nobody cares about this movie. Is it not true?

Thousands would respond to a casting call for extras for Come On! The Steve Ballmer Story.

 

[tevion5]

Thousands would respond to a casting call for extras for Come On! The Steve Ballmer Story.

I though this biography would be called "What's that, develo-something?"

 

[BrentD]

Wonder if a bunch of them showed up because they thought they might score a free Apple product for helping, even though Apple has nothing to do with the movie.

 

[MH01]

Good luck to everyone who wants to be part of this movie

 

[Apple-Guy]

Like flies on poo..

 

[tevion5]

Good luck to everyone who wants to be part of this movie

Most positive comment I've ever read on the site (if it's not sarcastic)

 

[MH01]

But according to this site experts and armchair executives, nobody cares about this movie. Is it not true?

Hey, we even have room for the Middle of the fence sarcastic know it alls

i myself love sarcastic cheap shots while not adding anything, a real skill! And a masterclass move if pulled off well.

----------

Most positive comment I've ever read on the site (if it's not sarcastic)

Was actually genuine. Some huge Apple fans out there, and to be part of a movie about jobs, might be someone's dream come true.

----------

Wonder if a bunch of them showed up because they thought they might score a free Apple product for helping, even though Apple has nothing to do with the movie.

I suspect most of them would pay to be in the movie

 

[Badagri]

So jobs that allow for such flexibility aren't as real as yours?

I always find the phrase "real job" to come across like an ultra conservative. You might be a raving liberal, but that what I hear. Like if you aren't shoveling coal everyday you aren't as good as real workin' folk. What about Kim who runs this site? I'm sure he pays his taxes like everyone else. But I bet he has more flexibility running a website than a construction worker. Doesn't make his job any less real in my mind.

When I read real job I thought of how people work 9 - 5 - 8 Monday to Friday unlike actors etc waiting on their next part that spend most of their time out of work.

 

[tevion5]

When I read real job I thought of how people work 9 - 5 - 8 Monday to Friday unlike actors etc waiting on their next part that spend most of their time out of work.

Actors don't have real job? Don't they have to reverse, remember pages and pages of lines, and pay taxes like everybody else?

 

[2457282]

So jobs that allow for such flexibility aren't as real as yours?

I always find the phrase "real job" to come across like an ultra conservative. You might be a raving liberal, but that what I hear. Like if you aren't shoveling coal everyday you aren't as good as real workin' folk. What about Kim who runs this site? I'm sure he pays his taxes like everyone else. But I bet he has more flexibility running a website than a construction worker. Doesn't make his job any less real in my mind.

Point taken. My sense of a real job is a 9-5 M-F. You are correct that many real jobs have different schedules. As for your other point, I refuse to be labeled. I dont even understand what the difference is between a liberal and a conservative -- every time I listen to them it seems its all about money.

 

[teslo]

Point taken. My sense of a real job is a 9-5 M-F. You are correct that many real jobs have different schedules. As for your other point, I refuse to be labeled. I dont even understand what the difference is between a liberal and a conservative -- every time I listen to them it seems its all about money.

yeah, it's not solely based on a political ideology regardless of correlation to existing policies. con or lib alike, if they take note of the fact that i haven't been working lately, they'll sometimes act like i don't have a real job like them. as a freelancer, it just obligates me to let them know i worked 18-20 hour days for a week straight to afford my time off. not a big deal, just different vantage points.

 

[Badagri]

Actors don't have real job? Don't they have to reverse, remember pages and pages of lines, and pay taxes like everybody else?

Many actors are out of a job most of the time then some when they've really made it choose what they want. Their accountants handle their taxes and usually find ways to pay very little tax as possible. As they can afford the best to get around the system.