Calvin Anderson of Panama City took a break from his painting and pressure-washing business on Wednesday to spend the day working with Jim Carrey.
Anderson was chosen from a casting call at the Martin Theatre back in September to play the part of a banker and the father of a friend of Carrey's character in the The Truman Show.
"I stood in line with hundreds of people," he said. "I guess they needed a middle-aged, redneck-lookin' man. I'm thrilled to death."
Anderson took part in a photography session with Carrey, creating photos dating from the '60s to the present to be used in the movie.
"I did a lot of praying before I went over there because I was nervous," he admitted. "But whenever I got with the director I relaxed and got calm just like I was supposed to be there. When I got through he said I did a good job. That was great."
Photographs taken include Anderson, in his banker's three-piece suit, alone with Carrey, and a graduation ceremony with several cast members shot in the middle of Seaside's amphitheater.
"We were all cuttin' up," he said, adding that Carrey was "funny, nice and pleasant to be around.
"He was really respectful and down to earth. He asked me my name and told me it was nice working with me."
Anderson does not know if he will have a speaking part, he is just happy to be involved with the film.
"This is incredible. Even if they don't call me back I've already worked with Jim Carrey. For a man over 50 to be able to do this, it's really neat," he said.
Casting director Ellen Jacoby said she was pleased with the local talent pool.
"I found a lot of good talent and I was very happy," said Jacoby, whose film credits include True Lies, The Specialist, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
About 300 extras will be used beginning Wednesday for filming of street scenes, with others being called throughout the production. Jacoby said she has filled about a dozen speaking parts with people from the Panhandle.
"Everybody has been very helpful, looking to cooperate and film friendly," she said. "It's been wonderful working here. The prep has been made easy because the people here are so wonderful to work with."
Panama City Beach resident and retiree Al Olah never dreamed he would get a part in a major Hollywood movie. He just thought it would be fun to attend the casting call.
His curiosity paid off, and just last week he went to a suite in the Sandestin Hilton to be fitted for the part of the mailman.
"Geez, I never saw so many clothes," he said.
Olah was fit for five different postman outfits - one for all kinds of weather conditions, including one with a big fur hat.
"All the things that the regular postman would wear, they have all this stuff on their racks," he said.
They even had his shoe size. And he said if something didn't fit just right, they made it fit.
"It's going to be interesting," Olah said. "I can't wait to see what they have planned for me."
Olah is scheduled for 14 days of shooting between Dec. 11 and Jan. 28. The shoots will be 10 to 12 hours during the day, with three days of nighttime filming. The pay rate is a guaranteed $65 for a 10-hour day, and $75 for a 12-hour day. If more than 12 1/2 hours are worked, time and half will be paid. A fee of $15 also will be paid for wardrobe fitting.
Jacoby said as many as 5,000
"man-days" will be worked by extras.