Pensioners can get extra work on TV (From Wharfedale Observer)

Pensioners can get extra work on TV

7:07pm Wednesday 26th September 2007 in Local news By Andrea Hardaker

Pensioners, tattooed truck drivers and pregnant women in the area are being offered the chance to have their five minutes of fame.

Northern Kids Casting Agency is looking to expand after numerous requests to provide elderly people for television commercials and extras.

And volunteers could earn up to £1,500 for their efforts.

The agency, formed four years ago to cater for children in the area, is now hoping to take on adults from all walks of life to fill the weird and wonderful requests given by casting directors.

Casting Coordinator Carolyn Whitaker said: "We get all sorts of requests for people for adverts, from blonde mums with perfect teeth to ageing grandfathers without teeth and it's a great opportunity for anyone with spare time to earn a little bit of money particularly elderly people.

"They don't have to be glamorous sometimes we need just the opposite - we just need ordinary people from all walks of life. As long as they are prepared to be patient and wait for a part to come along they are welcome to join."

The appeal for new recruits is open to all ages, the only requirement being that volunteers offer up their time to attend auditions.

Potential recruits will have their photograph taken and be logged on to a data base which will then be sent out to casting directors looking to fill roles.

As well as being paid for work, they will be put up in hotels, get travel expenses and be offered their meals free of charge.

Carolyn, 35, said: "Sometimes casting directors only want to film someone from the arms down, other times they just want someone walking into a shop.

"The work is varied and interesting and it would be a good way for elderly people to get out and meet new people and have a bit of fun.

"There are more and more elderly people being used in adverts like the grandmother knitting Shreddies so there could potentially be a lot of work for someone to do."

Among those looking to recruit elderly people in the past have been tinned food specialists John West, arts and crafts firm Hobbycraft and fast food giants Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Carolyn said: "It's mainly adverts we are concerned with at the moment. People don't need to have any acting experience but if they do that too can be useful. As long as they are out-going and interested they are free to join."

The agency, which has seen children working on all sorts of film, television and local theatre productions, is a spin off from the Ilkley and Otley based Performance Drama School, run by Sue Hughes.

Those willing to be placed on the database will have to pay a small one-off fee of £10 to cover the cost of the photographer and will be asked to hand over their contact details to the agency.

lAnyone interested in joining should contact Carolyn on 01756 711270 or email on calwit@hotmail.co.uk.