Casting Howard's Hopeful Herd

About 1,000, yes one thousand, people turned out to queue for the hope of a glimpse of glamour at the casting for extras for 'an international production', i.e. Ron Howard's interpretation of 'In the Heart of the Sea' which if it turns out as good as promised will surely pull in the Oscars. To be filmed on location (partially) on La Gomera. The local bars were doing a roaring trade and are hoping for 'the real thirst', once the 90 Euros per day for extras have been paid out.

And the masses did come in bit by bit without any hassle. They were a multi-racial (as wanted on the poster) patient and good-humoured crowd, with kids and babies in tow. They came from near and far - from 'just up the road' to tourists who  swore that 'we'll definitely be here again in November if they want us'. Everyone practicing the long wait got a number stuck onto their attire and all got their mugshots taken. Well done, Sur-Film ! They were very good at it, and professionally positive. So now everyone is waiting for the next step - that vital VIP email. Hey, come on, I didn't shave for 5 days - you wanted a 'well-lived-in-sun-bleached' face...Those who were smiling at the photographer's camera, were very politely told to 'look serious'. There's no business like becoming an extra in show business ! There's Holly in them Gomera Woods. There really is, but only the smooth-leaved variety.

Playa de Santigo, La Gomera

You're next..

The ever-filling queue

Some never bothered

Some got filmed now while hoping to be filmed later

Santigo's answer to whalers' graveyard ?

Now you're a STAR

Casting on La Gomera for Ron Howard movie

 A film casting for extras will take place on Sunday, August 18th, 2013 in Playa de Santiago on La Gomera. The film production company Film-Sur of Tenerife will hold the casting in the Casa Cultural (cultural centre) at the seafront in Santiago with the support of the town hall of Alajero (the administration for Playa de Santiago) from 10am to 6pm. The prestigious company Film-Sur have worked on productions like 'Fast & Furious' and 'Clash of the Titans '. Even though they only say that it is 'for a big international production' this casting can only be for Ron Howard's 'In the Heart of the Sea' which will begin shooting on location on La Gomera and Lanzarote in the autumn with production services supplied by the Tenerife company.

If you fancy joining the illustrious Hollywood cast as an extra in November, head for Playa de Santiago on Sunday. It is a nice but fairly sleepy small fishing harbour with a beach (most of it pebbly) on La Gomera's south coast. Film-Sur will be looking for people of all ages, including children, with Canary and/or European features and a dark or tanned complexion. Natural looks and long hair will get preference and visible tattoos and strongly-dyed hair will rule you out. Don't expect too much glamour if you get a role. I know from experience that the job can be extremely boring and mostly involves waiting and more waiting without knowing what's going on. Extras won't be paid Hollywood rates here and the food usually isn't worth the trouble.

Sneak preview of film set design for the whalers graveyard of Nantucket

Meanwhile some images have emerged of the set design (see pictures). For the film a replica of Nantucket harbour as it was around 1820 will have to be built and this is already happening near London, where they are more likely have grey skies, wind and rain for the Nantucket scenes this autumn.

Filming here on La Gomera will be done at two harbours with beaches, and one of them is in a fairly deserted location with lots of space for a film set construction. Apart from the Warner studios near London and La Gomera the only other confirmed location for the shooting of 'In the Heart of the Sea' is on Lanzarote.

See my previous post about the film HERE and how the casting went HERE

Model of old Nantucket harbour for the film set of 'In the Heart of the Sea'

Howard tweeted:'Exciting to see another time and place
re-created so artfully

The 'Essex' replica