ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, July 8, 1996 TAG: 9607080110
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
More than 300 people flocked to a weekend casting call at a Richmond hotel seeking parts as extras in a new Demi Moore film, ``G.I. Jane.''
The movie, which is about the first woman trained for an elite Navy anti-terrorist group, will be filming in Richmond from Thursday through July 20.
Casting director Billy Dowd said about one-third of those at Saturday's casting call will be selected. They will be used in scenes filmed at the Commonwealth Club, the Capitol and the Greyhound bus station.
But even if they're cast, the extras won't be seeing their names in lights. All the speaking parts have been filled, Dowd said.
An extra just wanders, silently, through the background of a scene.
Nonetheless, many of the applicants brought professionally done pictures and resumes, offering to drop everything if they get that elusive call to the set. Their reward? Two meals and $50 daily, and a shot at the big time.
``It's just so much fun. I've always really enjoyed it,'' said Sally Alvis, a retired teacher who lives in Richmond. She has appeared in more than 14 movies, including ``Kennedy,'' ``Finnegan, Begin Again'' and ``Thirteen.''
Jay Fleisher showed up in full military garb.
``I figured that I wanted to be different. They see so many people, I really wanted to make an impression,'' said Fleisher, who has been an extra in ``A Woman Named Jackie,'' ``Ironclad'' and ``The Rose White Story.''
``The hours can be long, and the work can be really tedious. But if you're interested in how films are made, there's no better experience,'' he said.
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB