Snazzy Portland! And a cry for help …
December 3rd, 2009
Drama alert! If you’ve ever wanted to portray an annoying Californian, a lumberjack or a stoner on the big screen — and by big I mean at least laptop-sized — then read on.
The Bad Mintons – that street-hustling superbusker band of Chet Lyster, myself and a cast of dozens — will be shooting a pop video this January for our super-mega-ultra-hit cassingle “Snazzy Portland.” It is our most popular song ever, and we believe that with the right video it might actually sell one or two copies of our nearly-released record, or at least amuse more of our friends.
But it’s 2009 in Portland and we’re all unemployed. We have no budget — but we do have a plan. Right now I’m asking you, our friends and fans and friends-of-fans, for a little help with that.
We need 5-10 extras who can show up to at least one rehearsal and at least one shoot during weekends in January. You will be playing the roles of Annoying Californians (think jogging suits, cell phones, blond wigs), Stoners (tie-dye and attitude, baby) or Alaskans (loggers, bears, eskimos, Sarah Palin, etc.).
These shots will be choreographed, so it’s imperative that we can get together beforehand and work out the moves. You don’t have to be a dancer, you just have to time some actions to the music. Easy stuff, I promise.
If you think of yourself as a more behind-the-scenes person, we could also use a couple of production assistants on set. This work is less glamorous, but also easier, and you’ll get a cute nickname like “Scooter” or “Zippy“.
What’s in it for you? Gosh, I wish I could tell you. Let’s see …
- There’s no money, but it’ll be fun, definitely. Did I mention there’s no money?
- Maybe you’ll be famous. We’re going to put the video up online; apparently YouTube is the carpool lane to stardom these days. (Nevertheless, I wouldn’t hold my breath on the fame.)
- If you’ve been out of work for a while and you’re starting to miss being bossed around by some idiot who doesn’t know what he’s doing, I can fill that role for you.
- A cute nickname!
Mostly I’m asking as a friend. Are you a friend of the Bad Mintons? Do you have any time in January for an art project?
Perhaps you’d be convinced if you heard the song …
So … if you think you might be able to lend a pal a hand, please leave a comment here or get in touch on Ye Olde Facebooke. Without you, we’re bumming.
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I’ll bite
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:52 pm
whee! i’m reeling you in …
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Count me in, Mykle. You’re in luck, I happen to play a stoner almost every day. Let me know the dates ASAP so I can schedule them around work.
Also, I just got paid today and will be purchasing a copy of Rampaging Fuckers very soon. Are you still looking for voices for your Agnes Cuddlebottom podcast?
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Pending no schedule conflicts, I’m in. I’m pretty handy on a set in general (grip, video, sound) so whatevs ya need.
Chris
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
oh, why, why, why, did i read this posting. You know very well that i am an aspiring film extra, looking forward to beefing up my resume which at this point has 1 film in which i played extra for about…errr…. maybe i had 1 or 2 second of screen time. why, why i read this posting? and you must know by now, i also absolutely love dance a coreoghraphy, specially the bad ones, created by people who are not exactly professional dancers, and danced by people who are not real dancers. i just LOVE that stuff. being an extra and dance a coreography are some of the things i love the most to do. no need to twist my arm or pay me money or give me a nick name. but… i’m not in portland, and i’m not going to portland. in fact, i am going to brasil in january. can i play the role of an annoying brazilian? think tiny swimming suit, cold beer and beach. if you send me a quicktime with the coreography i can record my part for you there with a green screen, and maybe you could composite me in your video clip. deal?
December 6th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
i totally will hep you guys! I have a couple lighting booms and some older lights and a whole lotta love. besides i was an annoying californian at one point, i know the schtick. call me yo
December 9th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
so am I gonna get shot at with no fear?
and what, no texans?
December 26th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Texans encouraged to apply!
Can y’all get in touch with me or post here about your contact info an your general level of availability in January? any days that are good and/or bad? i’m going to be putting the schedule together in the coming days, so please let me know ASAP! This is going to be lots of fun.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:13 am
If you’re still in need of extras or assistants, let me know. I would be happy to help doing whatever.
January 4th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
[...] 2010, and hello to everybody who’s expressed interest in helping make the Snazzy Portland video. If you are reading this and you’re still interested, please reply with these three [...]
January 6th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Hey, Michael.
Just got this forwarded from Alison Dubinsky.
I’ll be a hippie or an Alaskan if you need me.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
[...] Okay, it’s on! This weekend we begin shooting the WORLD’S MOST AWESOMEST MUSIC VIDEO! Please come be a part of the weirdness that is SNAZZY PORTLAND! [...]
January 9th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
# revphil Says:
December 9th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
so am I gonna get shot at with no fear?
and what, no texans?
# mykle Says:
December 26th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Texans encouraged to apply!
This is the first I heard, and I’m in! Oh, and I’m a “Texan”!
January 9th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Just to clarify: the Sunday 1/10 shoot is “California/Portland”; Texans are invited, but they have to pretend to be Californians and/or Portlanders.
January 13th, 2010 at 1:48 am
[...] his band, Reclinerland, would like to be on the bill. They played along with Mykle Hansen’s Bad Mintons, Giant Bug Village (the Guided By Voices cover band), and Crack City [...]
July 24th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Mykle count me in if you need more folks – i’m the Monica from Zoo bomb and Gabe and Buffalos pal (almost built a tall bike and we used to live a block apart on 27th). And Chet knows me from being buddies with Sassparilla and dancing and welding and drinking whiskey and such. I can most likely help you out with Alaska and love me some P-town!