Silver screen hopefuls lined up for an open casting call in Washington Heights on Saturday. If selected, they will play extras in the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony winning production "In the Heights."
The writer and actor made a quick stop at the open casting call to give the candidates some words of encouragement.
Production for the film, which is set for release in June of next year, starts this month. Washington Heights resident Kelly Feliz wants to be on set when that happens.
"What made me want to come out for it is Lin-Manuel Miranda, and it's 'In the Heights,' and I’m from Washington Heights, so that’s special to me," said one teen.
Several hundred people lined up for the film's open casting call along Wadsworth Ave in Washington Heights. At 11 a.m., the crowd filed into the St. Elizabeth School's auditorium.
Wilfley Casting has not said how many extras they are looking to hire.
Candidates of all ages filled out an application at the casting call.
Afterwards, the applicants posed for a photo and headed home.
"It's exciting, if anything. It's an opportunity. It would be great if I got elected to be in this great movie," said one woman.
Those looking to be an extra have to be free to film all summer.
The production will be shooting in NYC, but details about when and where are being kept under wraps.
Actors who couldn't make the casting call still have a shot at making it into the movie. The Grant Wilfley casting agency is fielding applications to be an extra on their website.