It’s not strange enough that The Producers is already a movie based on a play that’s based on a movie. It’s not strange enough that the movie and play presents one of the world’s most horrific personalities presented in a humorous light. Now The Producers has added yet another strange bit to their list - pay to be an extra.
Realizing that both the popular Broadway show, as well as the original Mel Brook’s film have cult audience followings, producer Jonathan Sanger has created this new element of film, where fans can pay to be an extra in the film. The extras specifically are the ones sitting in the audience during the performance of “Springtime for Hitler”, the film’s central comedic device.
Don’t think this is a cheap way to earn more money for the film though. All money raised by paying to be an extra goes to FoodChange, a charity dedicated to feeding the hungry in New York. This is literally one of those, “my brother’s sister’s cousin” type moments. The idea came about from Richard Murphy who is the executive director of FoodChange, who happens to know Carla Sanger who is tied to the after-school program “L.A.’s Best” and also happens to be the wife of Jonathan Sanger, the previously mentioned producer of The Producers.
This concept means Production Assistants will have to deal with more than the usual bunch of rabble as far as extras go, but rules have been set ahead of time. People are paying to sit in a theater all day pretending to watch “Springtime for Hitler” (which won’t actually be what’s up on stage... if anything even is on stage). They can’t leave early due to continuity needs, and appearances must match the film’s 1959 setting, or as Murphy puts it: “botox is not allowed”. Extensive rules, regulations, and wardrobe requirements are located on the project’s website.
Fans interested in being a part of this unique fundraising effort can sign up at www. producersmovieevent.org
