'Rent' filmmakers seek extras to appear in movie starring Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs

 

 

insidebayarea
by Cecily Burt
March 22, 2005

 

OAKLAND — If you have stars in your eyes or aim to be one, the old Southern Pacific train station in West Oakland is the place to be.

Next month, director Christopher Columbus will be filming scenes for the movie version of the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock opera "Rent" at the vacant Beaux Arts train depot at 16th and Wood streets.

Alas, the movie's stars have already been set (any reported sightings of Jesse L. Martin, Taye Diggs or Rosario Dawson?).

But the producers plan to host a casting call for about 250 extras on April 2 at the West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline St., said Ben Metcalf of BRIDGE Housing, who is handling details.

The time of the auditions will be announced in the next few days and posted on two Web sites: www.welcomeaboard.com, or www.filmoakland.com, which also has information about general cast and   crew opportunities.

Jonathan Larson's wildly successful musical is based on the romantic yet tragic classic opera "La Boheme," substituting the love story of starving Bohemian artists in Paris with starving artists of a modern era in New York's East Village. In "La Boheme," the scourge was tuberculosis. In "Rent" it is AIDS.

The movie's scouting agents were searching for a run-down building, and they fell in love with the old station, said Ami

Zins, director of Oakland's Film Office. Although details are secret, the station will play host to a large scene. Crews will be setting up later this month and staying for about five weeks.

Carol Galante, executive director of BUILD West Oakland, the entity that owns the station, said all money earnedfrom the production will be used for the landmark building's restoration.

"I think it's great," said Councilmember Nancy Nadel (Downtown-West   Oakland). No word on whether she planned to audition.

Oakland's eclectic charms have provided frequent backdrops for film and television. The Victorian storefronts on Washington Street in Old Oakland were transformed this past weekend into a spice shop and hair salon for the filming of "Mistress of Spices," Zins said.

Not only were the buildings featured but the work of Oakland artists such as Miranda Bergman and Gabriel Navar,   were also captured, Zins said. In addition, the hair salon featured a line of natural hair products produced by an Oakland company called Natural Oasis.

 

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