She’s Out filming, extras wanted

Pittsburgh has become a hot spot for recent film productions. The newly released “Smart… Pittsburgh has become a hot spot for recent film productions. The newly released “Smart People,” starring Dennis Quaid and Sarah Jessica Parker, was shot here last year. The Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron thriller “The Road” is currently filming in the city, as well as the Julianne Moore horror flick “Shelter” and the comedy “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” starring Seth Rogen.

With so many productions coming to the ‘Burgh, it wasn’t a surprise when the fever hit Oakland this spring.

Filming for “She’s Out of My League,” a romantic comedy following the budding relationship of average joe Kirk (Jay Baruchel) and knockout beauty Molly (Alice Eve), hit Pitt’s campus last week when a bevy of trailers set up camp along Fifth Avenue, between Bigelow Boulevard and Lytton Avenue.

The film’s plot centers around Kirk’s insecurities, influenced by unsupportive friends and family. The cast and crew arrived last Monday to film in the Pittsburgh Athletic Association’s basement bowling alley for a scene in the upcoming flick.

Pittsburgh’s popularity as a sought-after filming location is based on numerous criteria for this specific film.

“Resources are available in Pittsburgh for the story,” said Mike Klastorin, publicist for “She’s Out of My League.” Pittsburgh not only appeals to the filmmakers because of its accessible resources, but for some of the crew, returning to the city affords sentimental value. Among the crew’s Pittsburgh natives are producer Jimmy Miller and location assistant Alex Hamilton.

“I’m from Pittsburgh, so I’m glad to be back,” said Hamilton, who now lives in California but enjoys returning to her roots here in Pittsburgh. She also worked on “Smart People” while it filmed here last year.

“This time, though, everyone paid attention to our ‘No Parking’ signs, so that made me really happy,” Hamilton said, referencing last year’s less than successful bout with several uncooperative Oakland drivers.

Klastorin echoed Hamilton’s praises of the city. “Filming has been going very, very well,” he said, alluding to last week’s shoot in Oakland as well as the previous week at the Mellon Arena.

Filming began at a Penguins game March 27. After wrapping up at the arena, production headed across town to film in the Pittsburgh Athletic Association.

Hamilton said crew members came Monday to repaint the bowling alley and prepare for the upcoming week in Oakland.

Filming at the PAA ended last Thursday, and on Friday the remaining trailers relocated from campus to the Pittsburgh International Airport, where filming will take place for the next two weeks.

The scenes filmed in the airport will require a number of extras, whose parts are still available and open to the general public. Students are encouraged to visit the airport today through Friday if interested in acting as extras. Parts still available include pilots, flight attendants and travelers.

Extras will be paid $7.15 per hour and are expected to work a full day, arriving at 5:30 a.m. and staying until 6:30 p.m. Meals and snacks are provided throughout the day, and overtime hours will be compensated with time and a half.

“The film is shooting through May 31 all throughout the Pittsburgh metropolitan area,” said Rich Mason, a coordinator of extras casting, “so students can book other days if the airport scene doesn’t work for them.”

If interested in becoming an extra for “She’s Out of My League,” students should call 412-434-6416 for scheduling.

Be sure to stay alert for other productions throughout the city, as well. As Pittsburgh’s demand continues to increase, chances are high of stumbling across a shooting location – whether you mean to or not.