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Campus Bulletin

October 24, 2006

U of G to 'Star' In New TV Series, Students Needed As Extras

The University of Guelph will be “starring” in a new television series that will bring film crews to campus several days a month until next spring.

“When the production company approached us about filming on campus, we thought it was a project the entire campus community could get excited about,” says Brenda Whiteside, associate vice-president (student affairs). “Students will witness first-hand what goes into making a TV program and will have the chance to make some money working as extras.”

U of G’s walkways and buildings will appear on the small screen as a fictitious university. The first two days of shooting are scheduled for Oct. 30 and 31. Most of the scenes will be shot outside the front entrance of Macdonald Hall, in front of Johnston Hall and along Winegard Walk.

Seventy-five to 100 people between the ages of 18 and 25 are needed as extras both days, and preference will be given to U of G students, says Nancy Botting Harrison, who’s in charge of casting extras. The pay is $9.25 an hour.

People can take part on one day or both days, but they must commit to being there for the entire shoot, which could last 10 to 12 hours the first day and up to eight hours the second day, says Botting Harrison.

“There will be plenty of time for students to study or read in between takes, but they must be willing to stay on the set for the duration. This is a great opportunity for students, especially drama students, to see what happens on a film set.”

Anyone interested in working as an extra should send an e-mail to guelphcasting@hotmail.com. Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

For the most part, filming will not affect pedestrian traffic along Winegard Walk, says Whiteside. People may be rerouted around the set in front of Johnston Hall, and students living in Macdonald Hall will be asked to use the rear entrance. “We want to assure the community that we will keep disruptions to a minimum,” she says.

She notes that all revenues the University receives from location fees will be used to benefit students and the campus, ranging from supporting residential programs to dealing with deferred maintenance and making improvements to parking lots. The crew will also be using the University’s catering services for meals.

Starting the afternoon of Oct. 29, the production company will set up a “base camp” of about 10 tractor-trailers in P13, the parking lot east of the Eccles Centre and South Residences. It will remain until Oct. 31. In addition, about eight large trucks that supply hydro and other essential services to the film crew will be parked along Macdonald Lane Oct. 30 and 31. Vehicle traffic will be restricted to one lane during this period.