Editor’s Note: The casting call for this commercial has closed and the story was edited to remove references to Major League Baseball.
Local baseball players and a slew of extras have a unique opportunity to star in a national television commercial.
A casting director is looking for players aged 20 to 35 with a “vintage appearance” to act in a commercial being filmed at historic Luther Williams Field during the overnight hours of Feb. 7.
“In this commercial, we envision an old-timey baseball game, and we’re in need of authentic baseball players and a multitude of extras,” said casting director Brian Beegle.
Those interested in the paid positions have to act fast as the deadline to email submissions [email protected] is Friday, January 26.
Beegle needs to see a 30-second video that shows the player from head to toe, shot in the landscape mode, not vertical framing as for an Instagram post.
The players are to mimic watching a batter from the field.
“Pitchers are instructed to gaze into the lens as if it were a catcher’s mitt and simulate a pitch. Shortstops, catchers, and outfielders should act as if they are tracking the pitch, field the ball, and make a throw,” according to the casting call.
The players are to provide their name, playing position and length of time they’ve been playing baseball.
Those cast as principals should expect to be paid $600, plus a 15% agency fee if they have representation. An additional $400 with 15% agency fee will be paid to those who make the final cut of the commercial. A hotel and $50 travel stipend will be furnished for those traveling from outside Macon, according to the news release.
Extras will be paid $175, plus the 15% agency fee, if it applies.
Those applying to be non-baseball player extras will be paid $175, plus the potential 15% agency fee. Extras only need to submit a photograph and their name to [email protected] email.
This commercial is the latest production to use the historic stadium at Carolyn Crayton Park, which is the second-oldest working ballpark in the country, said Aaron Buzza, Visit Macon’s Visit COO and Film Commission Liaison.
“We thought it was a perfect fit,” Buzza said. “I think it works nicely. It can be made to look older. It can be made to look younger. Through movie magic it can be made to look like a lot of things.”
Movies such as the Jackie Robinson biopic “42,” Clint Eastwood’s “Trouble with the Curve,” “The Bingo Long Traveling All-stars & Motor Kings,” and the TV series “Brockmire” were all filmed at Luther Williams.
A commercial shoot like this is a relatively new endeavor for Visit Macon, but a welcome one, Buzza said.
“We certainly would be open to do more of them because it’s a relatively quick turnaround,” he said.
The stadium, Macon’s Terminal Station and Hay House are some of the most requested locations for production companies, Buzza said.
After the pause of the pandemic, then the writers’ strike, Visit Macon is beginning to see requests picking up for major motion pictures and scouting trips for film crews in the area, he said.
– Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-318-8945.
