Stage Dads and Dummies

How many people want to be unpaid movie extras, sit in the hot sun all day, and pretend to watch a fake tennis match? For the modestly budgeted Hollywood movie filming around San Diego this month and last, the answer has been “not nearly enough.”

A quick call to Dummies-R-Us solved the casting challenge. Though that name is a joke, a vendor was able to supply over 400 foam stand-ins that were used during scenes filmed at the Balboa Tennis Club. Each was fitted with a latex mask, wig, and fashion accessories stylish enough that the human extras were asked to “Please stop taking the dummies’ hats and sunglasses!”

For the past of couple weeks, an average of 100 human volunteers have shown up each day at 7 a.m., receiving bag lunches and movie trinkets for their time. Some are tourists seeking a unique Southern California memory. Most are there for the real lure in being an extra: a chance to be discovered.

Stage moms and dads idled the day away while their sons and daughters feigned applause at the female star’s winning shots (the sounds of clapping will be added later).

Opportunities for stardom and dummy pilfering end on June 17, when SMASH is scheduled to wrap principal photography.

For more info on becoming an extra, click here.