Corbin Bernsen’s soap box derby movie needs extras; provides fun, prizes and Hollywood glamour
Prizes, entertainment, food and fun will be on hand Sunday, July 25th at Derby Downs in Akron as filmmaker Corbin Bernsen re-creates the International Soap Box Derby Championship with the help of thousands of local extras.
A complex nine-day shoot, which will wrap up filming of Bernsen’s derby-themed “25 Hill,” begins at the actual International Soap Box Derby Championship on Saturday (July 24th) when the crew will capture real-life racers and spectators on four cameras, including one overhead in the Goodyear Blimp.
On Sunday (July 25th), Bernsen needs about 3,000-4,000 extras to play racers and fans in his re-creation of the championship. Extras are asked to come between 7 -7:30 a.m. and prepare to stay until approximately 6 p.m.
To entice extras to remain, drawings for prizes will be held throughout the day. Prizes to be awarded on the July 25th include an “Open Heart” diamond necklace from Kay Jewelers, autographed scripts, autographed first edition “25 Hill” posters, a plasma TV, “25 Hill Film Crew” t-shirts, Cavaliers club seats, tickets to the Bridgestone Golf Tournament, a gift certificate to Beau’s Grille and much more. Stan Piatt, talk show host at WNIR-FM, will emcee the festivities. Water will be on hand; food will be available for purchase or extras may bring their own.
“We can’t do this film without the support of the Greater Akron community. We need Northeast Ohio to show its community spirit,” said Bernsen, who wrote and is producing and directing the film about a boy and a Soap Box Derby dream. “We need the people of Greater Akron to come out, bring their families, have fun and be in a Hollywood movie. The community of Greater Akron is the real star of the film.”
From Monday, July 26th- through Wednesday, July 28th, filming will take place at the Springhill Sports Complex in Green which, through movie magic, will double for a derby race track in Seattle. About 500 extras are needed for those days. Extras that stay for two of those three days will be eligible for a surprise grand prize drawing. Other prizes awarded on those days include dinner with Corbin Bernsen, an iPad, autographed first edition “25 Hill” posters and Acme gift certificates.
On July 30th, filming moves back to Akron’s Derby Downs before moving to the Baruth International Raceway in Cleveland on July 31st. The Cleveland site will double in the film as derby track in Sacramento. About 500 extras are needed for that day-long shoot. Prizes for extras include autographed copies of the DVD “Major League”, starring Bernsen, “25 Hill Film Crew” t-shirts, and autographed copies of the script.
People who want to extras must email treycaldwell25hill@gmail.com. Please list available dates, ages and genders for those who wish to participate. You will receive a return email with important information, including call times and wardrobe instructions.
Derby Downs is at 789 Derby Downs Drive in southeast Akron, Ohio 44306.
The Springhill Sports Complex is at 3759 Fortuna Drive in Green, Ohio 44232
The Baruth International Raceway is off the W. 49th St. Exit on state Route 2 (the Shoreway) in Cleveland. For GPS, use the address 4500 Crescent Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102.
CONTACT: Mary Ethridge at 330-687-2445 or maryethridge@gmail.com
