Hundreds audition to become Brighton Rock extras (From The Argus)

Hundreds audition to become Brighton Rock extras

3:00pm Monday 5th October 2009 in News By Emily Walker, Chief Reporter

More than 1,000 film hopefuls queued up for the chance to appear in Brighton Rock.

Auditions were held at the Brighton Centre yesterday and at the International Lawn Tennis Centre in Eastbourne on Saturday.

Film-makers are looking for hundreds of extras for the film, which will be set in 1960s Brighton, to play mods, rockers, day trippers and Brighton characters.

The queue of acting hopefuls lined Brighton seafront and curled around the corner of West Street as more than 600 people jumped at the chance to be in the film, which will star Helen Mirren and Pete Postlethwaite. And 500 more turned out for the Eastbourne casting.

Giya Makondo-Wills, 15, of Elm Grove, Brighton, and Ella Bichon-Flannery, 14, of Preston Road, Brighton, were first in line outside the Brighton Centre.

Giya said: “We were waiting about two hours. We thought it looked like fun to be in the film.”

Original mod Andrew Bentley said he hoped a part in the film would help him relive his youth.

“I have been a mod for the best part of my life,” said Mr Bentley, of Compton Avenue, Brighton.

“It sounded like a good opportunity and being a mod is what it’s all about.”

Other Brighton residents decided to take part after hearing that filming would be taking place near their homes.

Annie Chapman, 46, of Blaker Street, Brighton, said: “They production company came to Blaker Street.

They are using the street for filming so I thought it would be really nice to have a go” Filming for the £8 million thriller starts on October 18.

The Palace Pier, Royal Pavilion and Madeira Drive will all be featured, as well as locations in Eastbourne and at Beachy Head.