| Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC | | | | local producers, directors, wardrobe contacts, and |
| "One of a kind" items always sell well in benefit | | | | other individuals working in that industry. |
| auctions, and what could be more unique than getting | | | | (Here's an extra auction tip: If one of your auction |
| to participate in a movie or TV production! | | | | committee volunteers has an interest in acting, ask her |
| One of the most popular items we sell in our benefit | | | | to conduct your outreach. She'll have a more vested |
| auctions are items related to the entertainment | | | | interest in getting acquainted with local producers |
| industry. | | | | through a phone call.) |
| A walk-on part usually refers to the opportunity for | | | | If an upcoming crew is shooting in your area, reach out |
| someone to be part of the background of a movie or | | | | and ask for a donation of a walk-on part. The item will |
| a commercial. This isn't a speaking role, but for | | | | be an exciting addition. |
| someone who hasn't been part of a production, these | | | | One thing to remember is that typically there is no |
| can be just as exciting items to win. | | | | flexibility on the date. For instance, if a production |
| Below are three auction tips on how to get these | | | | needs 15 people for a restaurant scene shoot on June |
| benefit auction items. | | | | 18 - and that date conflicts with your winning bidders |
| Walk-on movie part auction tip #1: Ask family and | | | | out-of-town trip - it's just too bad for the guest who |
| friends. | | | | bought the item. |
| Send an email to everyone you have in your address | | | | Walk-on movie part auction tip #3: Contact your local |
| book. Ask if they know of anyone "in the business." | | | | businesses buying air time. |
| You might be surprised to learn that someone has a | | | | Admittedly, being in a commercial carries less panache |
| distant connection. | | | | than being in a movie, but there *is* good news. Many |
| At a private school auction I worked in Maryland, the | | | | movie extras -- the auction winner included -- |
| auction committee was making an effort to advertise | | | | eventually end up "on the cutting room floor," referring |
| the auction to newer families which hadn't yet been to | | | | to the practice of being edited out of the final |
| the annual fundraiser and might not know what was | | | | production. On the other hand, a local television |
| involved. As part of that outreach, they talked about | | | | commercial offers the winning auction guest the |
| auction items they hadn't yet procured, but wanted. As | | | | potential for a lot of visibility in his own town. |
| it turned out, one of the new-to-the-school Dads had a | | | | To secure this type of an auction item, watch TV to |
| former college friend in the movie business. He made a | | | | see which local businesses are regularly buying airtime |
| phone call and was able to procure a walk-on part to | | | | in your market. Vehicle dealerships might be your best |
| a small independent movie. Based on the crowd's | | | | bet. If so, contact a dealer to see if two of your |
| interest in the item, you would have thought the winner | | | | winning bidders could serve as background in the |
| was going to be in the next James Bond movie. They | | | | dealership's next commercial. Imagine the commercial: |
| loved it! | | | | As the dealer is promoting his Memorial Day sale to |
| Walk-on movie part auction tip #2: Make friends with | | | | the camera, maybe two of your auction guests are |
| your state film commission. | | | | "customers" admiring his showroom cars. |
| Most states have a film commission. This commission | | | | The author of this article (yes, me) has been cast in a |
| helps movie production companies by serving as a | | | | few commercials. You can watch excerpts from our |
| local resource. Locate your state's commission by | | | | shooting day at my blog. |
| conducting an internet search. | | | | I'll see you for lunch in Hollywood, baby! |
| Oftentimes the commission's Website will list all of the | | | | |