When an extras casting call for the new film Public Enemies was held at Monona Terrace back in February, the response from silver screen hopefuls was tremendous, thousands of people turned out to get their photos snapped in hopes of getting a chance to appear on the screen with Johnny Depp. Even larger turnouts followed at casting calls in Milwaukee, Oshkosh, and Chicago, as the new film directed by Michael Mann has captured the imaginations of movie fans throughout the upper Midwest.
Production for the film started in Columbus, subsequently following in Darlington, Crown Point, Indiana, Chicago and Aurora, Illinois, and now in Oshkosh, where shooting started last Friday and is slated to run though the week. Public Enemies is also set to come to Madison, most likely sometime in May, and more calls for extras are being put out in anticipation of these shoots.
On Friday, April 5, Joan Philo Casting issued an online call for men, women, and boys to serve as extras in the film. "We need people to be a part of an exciting scene shooting in Madison," the company declared. Two more calls followed on Monday, April 14.
The first noted that the production is seeking boys between the ages of 11 and 16. "We are going to be filming in the Madison in early May and need several boys to be a part of an exciting scene," states the call. The second focused on "men, women, police officers, and photographers" to appear as extras in the film. As detailed in the call:
Public Enemies is a film about John Dillinger set in the early 1930s. In order to recreate the look, the feel, the accuracy of the time, we need the expertise of real policemen and photographers plus men and women who fit specific size requirements, willing to get their haircut if cast.
MEN: Must be 6'1" and under, no larger than a jacket size of 44. The hairstyle in this time period was long so it is important that you do not get your cut anytime soon.
WOMEN: Must be 5'8" and under, no larger than a dress size 10.
Please do not apply if you will not cut your hair or do not fit the size requirements. Both are essential to the look of the film and we cannot make exceptions.
If you can free up your life for a day or two and work as a paid extra (in early May) please send a recent photograph of yourself immediately. Do this ASAP! Film happens really fast and we may be calling you as soon as next week.
These requirements are similar to those announced back in February for the in person event at Monona Terrace. Hopefuls are asked to mail a photo of themselves along with a listing of their height, weight, and clothing sizes to a P.O. Box in Chicago for the casting company.
Those hopefuls missing the original casting call in town or hoping to get another shot now have their chance. There's not much time to do so, though, as its becoming clear that the Public Enemies production is rapidly approaching Madison.