Thursday, December 13
Dreamworks brings the Dream to skid row along with work
Orlando Ward explaining what the orientation is about
I went to observe the casting call. Yes , thats right , a casting call at the Midnight Mission. Flyers were plastered all over our buildings here at SRO Housing Corporation , the VOA had been telling their clients about the Casting call , even LA CAN members were in line waiting to make sure their people were placed on that list of those seeking a job as extras in Dreamwork's movie about the Street Violinist Nathaniel Ayers. Dreamworks hired a lady to try and talk those who were there out of the job because she wanted to make the point that it would be long hours , sometimes of just standing around. 'But those who were there filled out the applications, I-9 , and contact information so that they could be called to go to work next year when the Movie goes into production.I met many people there , some were homeless , but they were all there to try and become an extra in the movie. Some had aspirations and dreams of becoming actors and actresses. Others were there because it was an opportunity to get work.
Aspiring Actress Serena
Orlando Ward explaining what the orientation is aboutI went to observe the casting call. Yes , thats right , a casting call at the Midnight Mission. Flyers were plastered all over our buildings here at SRO Housing Corporation , the VOA had been telling their clients about the Casting call , even LA CAN members were in line waiting to make sure their people were placed on that list of those seeking a job as extras in Dreamwork's movie about the Street Violinist Nathaniel Ayers. Dreamworks hired a lady to try and talk those who were there out of the job because she wanted to make the point that it would be long hours , sometimes of just standing around. 'But those who were there filled out the applications, I-9 , and contact information so that they could be called to go to work next year when the Movie goes into production.I met many people there , some were homeless , but they were all there to try and become an extra in the movie. Some had aspirations and dreams of becoming actors and actresses. Others were there because it was an opportunity to get work.
Aspiring Actress SerenaSerena isn't just living in skid row at an SRO Hotel out there trying to make her acting dreams come true as an actress. Serena is also realistic . She has a degree in business management and has attended trade-tech community college, and is actively seeking to further her chances of getting a higher paying job after some more education at trade -tech. She told me that she did modeling in Georgia for department stores .She was at the casting call to see if she could get a part in a movie so she can propel herself on to bigger things.
The subcommittee that was put together to work with Dreamwork's on this project told me that Steve Lopez of the LA TIMES had told the director of the movie , Joe Wright , which social service organizations in skid row to work with to organize this precedent setting event , and I have to say Steve Lopez and DreamWorks and the Director of the Soloist has given back to this community in such a way that will have a more lasting impact on those individuals living in skid row than any donation could accomplish to any of these organizations. I was also told that the list that is created from this casting call and some others in the near future will be sent to central casting and the fees waived for those who were being cast today , opening up an option these people never had for work as non-union extras in the movies. If you want to end homelessness this is what you do ; open doors for these people to walk through. One of the great things about this is that the work will be close to home. Something that is very important in helping to get a lot of people started again in the world of work.
Joanna Scott , Steven Van Ziles , and Orlando Ward
Joanna Scott , Steven Van Ziles , and Orlando WardPart of the social service provider subcommittee who organized the casting call for extras
2 Comments:
I think that's just great. Hollywood should use more disadvantaged people as extras as opposed to the trust fund transplants that sit around coffee houses all day pretending to actually work in the entertainment industry.
commented by 
Anonymous, December 15, 2007 11:43 AM
Anonymous, December 15, 2007 11:43 AM
Well isn't this special...as if there aren't thousands of trained, out-of-work actors that would love a chance like this. Give me a break, this is nothing more than an appeasment.
Here's a real novel concept: Why doesn't 'Dreamworks' and 'Hollywood' put their money where their mouth is and offer these 'skidrow' folk real jobs instead?? Dreamworks should rename themselves 'PipeDreamworks'!
So much for the 'trained' out-of-work actor...or is that the skidrow candidate?
Here's a real novel concept: Why doesn't 'Dreamworks' and 'Hollywood' put their money where their mouth is and offer these 'skidrow' folk real jobs instead?? Dreamworks should rename themselves 'PipeDreamworks'!
So much for the 'trained' out-of-work actor...or is that the skidrow candidate?
