DreamWorks holds casting call for Holloman Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Means
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M.(ACCNS) --  Approximately 300 Airmen from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., home of the F-22A Raptor, were given a chance to participate in an unnamed DreamWorks Pictures feature film as extras during a casting call, August 15.

"About 200 people will be hired as extras to portray military members," said Maryellen Aviano, extras casting coordinator for Dream Works.

Ms. Aviano has been a casting coordinator for 30 years and has done many major films such as Hancock, The Kingdom, National Treasure II, Fast and Furious, Men in Black and Men in Black II to name a few.

According to Ms. Aviano the casting process works the same, no matter where it takes place.

"The majority of the people cast will be men so that they can better portray military men in uniform and because of activities they will have to perform, but, military women are also welcome." said Ms. Aviano.

To participate as extras in the movie Airmen must be on leave and available all day for shooting scenes.

"The thrill of knowing I may be in a movie outweighs the possibility of having to work long hours on a movie set," said Airman 1st Class Karla Jimenez, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron.

This isn't the first time a movie was filmed at Holloman. In 2006 opening scenes from Dream Works "Transformers" was filmed here. Many of the extras that participated in the feature were also from Holloman.

"It is really exciting to think that I might be able to see my face in a movie," said Airman 1st Class Krista Lawrence, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Ms. Aviano's biggest challenge is finding people that can commit their time to the job.

"An opening casting call is meant to tell people to look at the days we will be shooting and think about the long hours and if you will be available at this time," said Ms. Aviano.

"After the orientation, if I haven't talk them out of it, the application process is quick. I'll take a picture of them, put them in a binder, and go over them with the director and costume designer," said Ms. Aviano. "Then we make calls and start doing the actual booking."