It could be an opportune time to break into show business. Extras are needed for a new Tom Hanks movie, “A Man Called Otto,” which begins filming later this month in and around Pittsburgh.
Children, teens, and adults are needed to portray locals in a variety of roles, including army recruits, hospital staff, restaurant patrons, factory workers, and more. The hours are long – between 10 and 14 hours a day – but the pay is $170 for a shift. Time and a half will be paid for shoots over 12 hours.
Filming is expected to last until May and extras must present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. If interested, email [email protected].
The producers specify that the extras will not be able to speak to the actors, which is apparently the norm on film sets. Years ago when the movie “Gettysburg” was being made, a group of Civil War re-enactors from Erie were involved in the production.
A young “soldier” from Erie tried to say hello to Jeff Daniels but was rudely dismissed.
• Speaking of movies, it was a surprise during the Super Bowl to see Fairview Middle School student Walker Scobell in commercials for the new movie, “The Adam Project.” It is set to debut on March 11 on Netflix. Walker plays a 13-year-old version of Ryan Reynolds’ character.
Scobell must have made quite an impression on the filmmakers, as he was cast in a second film, “Secret Headquarters,” starring Owen Wilson, which is set to hit theaters on August 5.
On the big screen: Fairview’s Walker Scobell to Make Netflix Movie Debut Alongside Ryan Reynolds in ‘The Adam Project’
Walker’s father, Pete Scobell, a 17-year-old military veteran who has had six deployments as a Navy SEAL, is a talented songwriter and musician who has been featured on Rolling Stone. He was a terrific athlete during his high school days at Fairview.
• Here’s a show I wouldn’t want to miss. On July 27 at Chautauqua Institution, the late Carl Reiner will celebrate his 100th birthday.
Reiner’s children, including actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner, will take part in what is billed as “an evening of laughter, reflecting Reiner’s seven-decade career as a writer, director, producers, author and performer.” Tickets go on sale March 15.
Chautauqua officials say they hope Reiner’s close friend Mel Brooks will also appear at the celebration, depending on his schedule. If this is not possible, he will participate remotely.
Make them laugh: Carl Reiner’s extensive archive heads to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown
Reiner, who served on the board of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY, left his extensive archive to the center. He must have really loved Chautauqua County.
• Reports that – in recent negotiations with the Major League Players Union – club owners submitted a proposal to cut hundreds of jobs for Minor League players and workers, prove that MLB is no friend of baseball in small towns and villages. In 2021, MLB cut more than 40 minor league teams.
Erie was lucky to keep the SeaWolves, thanks in large part to the millions of upgrades made to the UPMC park. I’ve been a huge baseball fan all my life, but these latest developments leave a distinctly sour taste in my mouth.
• When University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari traveled to Erie on February 10 to scout Isaiah Miranda, he met Jeff Szumigale, his former University basketball teammate Clarion and close friend.
Szumigale and Calipari had dinner at the Erie Club and invited longtime Kentucky hoops fan Ron DiVecchio to join them. It was a quick trip for Calipari, which flew to Erie at 6 p.m. and left at 9:15 p.m. But DiVecchio is still beaming with his encounter with a hero.
• If you haven’t seen Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930 Cord L-29 convertible, currently on display at the Erie Historical Society’s Wright Exhibit, there’s no time to waste. The car will leave town at the end of March. The good news is that the impressive exhibit is here to stay.
• Eriez Speedway won’t seem the same without longtime volunteer Bill Cornwell, who passed away on February 11 at the age of 62. Car-loving Cornwell was part of the local track. He was a hard worker trying to make everything better at Eriez Speedway. My condolences to his family and friends.
Obituary: William T. Cornwell, 62
• It’s only February, but the number of political ads on television is impressive. You can tell which candidates have a lot of money. The only problem with running ads so early is that by the time of the primary in May, many voters will be fed up with the ads and the candidates.
• Young people who love amusement parks and need a summer job should visit Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The park is starting to interview candidates to fill 6,500 jobs that will pay $15 an hour. Locally, Waldameer Park is also recruiting.
Kevin Cuneo can be contacted at [email protected].