Movie filming in Somerset April 3-5 needs extras

Mar. 29—Somerset is taking its latest turn in the Hollywood spotlight, and a call has been put out for local individuals who would like to participate as extras.

Jenny Gomez, a producer with Macaroni Art Productions, told the Commonwealth Journal that local individuals can sign up to be seen in a new film that will have portions shot locally, starring prolific actor and Kentuckian Steve Zahn among others.

Somerset came onto the Macaroni Art Productions radar thanks to Zahn, who lives in central Kentucky. His daughter has danced in competitions in Somerset, and that brought Somerset's charms to light for Zahn and Macaroni Art Productions, which Zahn co-founded with Jenny Gomez, Rick Gomez, and Coby Toland.

"We love Somerset," said Jenny Gomez. "We just saw Bee Taylor play at the Virginia. We've already filmed a little bit of the movie at The Center for Rural Development."

Zahn has been seen in such films as "Reality Bites," "Happy, Texas," and "Dallas Buyers Club," and television shows like "White Lotus" and "Treme."

Gomez described the project as a "dance movie." A description given of the film noted that it tells a "heartfelt story" of a father and daughter reconnecting during her final dance competition.

"We need up to 200 people to play audience members," said Gomez. "Everyone will just kind of come in and be in the theater (at The Center) and we're going to spread them all around in the lobby and the theater. They'll be all around the actors."

Additionally, participants "will get to watch amazing dance" performances, she noted, and see the filming process in action.

"And then we're going to turn the cameras on them and show them in the audience with the lights on, and them clapping and reaction shots," said Gomez of the extras. "... It's going to be fun."

Filming dates include Wednesday, April 3 from 7:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, April 4 from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and Friday, April 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Those interested can email jenny@macaroni.art.

Individuals of all ages and ethnicities are sought.

Other well-known actors credited to the film include Ethan Hawke and Sonequa Martin-Green.