Be a movie extra in Edmonds (and bring a friend) on Thursday
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Most people go to the theater to see the show.
Now can you go to be the show.
What’s up with that?
More than 200 extras are needed for a movie shoot at Edmonds Theater on Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
It’s for a scene for “Ultra Low,” directed and written by Mill Creek native Nicholas Gyeney, 30, whose past movies include sci-fi thriller “Beta Test” and dark comedy “Matt’s Chance.”
“Ultra Low” gets its title from the lowest tier of the film industry’s budget ranking. Below low budget.
“It’s at the bottom of the scale,” said the movie’s producer Edi Zanidache, 32, a Mountlake Terrace native.
Yep, you guessed it. You aren’t going to get paid to be an extra, though you will get fed pizza. And you won’t get nominated for an Academy Award. Extras are the anonymous bodies you see in a movie, those people walking or sitting in the background. Maybe the Oscars should add a category for Best Extra.
The crew scouted other sites before choosing the family-owned cinema at 415 Main St. in downtown Edmonds. It was built in 1923, has one screen, two balconies and seats 235.
“Edmonds is a beautiful little theater. It’s not over the top,” Zanidache said.
Extras will be used in exterior, lobby and audience shots.
“We’re excited. It’s a great opportunity,” Edmonds Theater manager Christopher Mayes said.
Extras also are needed this month for coffee shop, restaurant and bar scenes in Seattle.
“In general, it is almost an adventure drama with an entourage of independent filmmakers,” said Zanidache, a stand-up comedian. “I play a producer who is also a comedian from time to time. Everything is based off of real events. The struggle of making films, it’s just nonstop. Along the way you meet people, create a little family you work with. We start questioning why we’re not getting into things like Sundance.”
They hope this film, expected to be released next year, is their ticket into the Sundance Film Festival.
IMDb, short for Internet Movie Database, describes the movie this way: “A meta drama that takes an unfiltered look at a filmmaking team as they struggle to break down the doors of Hollywood. A cross between ‘Clerks’ and ‘Entourage,’ ‘Ultra Low’ dives into the tough world of independent filmmaking like no film has.”
The cast includes film editor Jay Somsen, who is from Mill Creek, Lake Stevens native Erik Albidress, special effects, and actress Lauren Holly, whose credits include “Motive,” “N.C.I.S.,” “Any Given Sunday” and “Picket Fences.”
Theater manager Mayes said he scored a role as an usher. “I’m told I even have a line,” he said. “I’m ready for my big screen break.”
Advice from the Ultra Low Extras Facebook page: “We recommend bringing a book that you’ve been trying to catch up on to read while we prepare for the next shot. Also bringing a friend is always welcome to pass the time. If you have no friends, fear not, there’s a great chance you’re going to make some friends for life on set. On one of our movies our friend met her boyfriend through extra work and now they are just the best. You could be next.”
The possibility of romance, pizza and 15 seconds of anonymous fame?
See you there.
Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @reporterbrown.
The big screen
Want to be an extra? Sign up at www.surveymonkey.com/r/QZ3XPMV or go to facebook.com/groups/UltraLowExtras. Sorry, no kids; teens and adults only.
