The scene is being set for a major film production to take place in the Highlands this summer.
A Scottish casting company is looking for local people to work as extras at locations in Oban, Fort William, Aviemore and Inverness.
Details of the production are being kept under wraps, but GBM Casting, which recently worked with the BBC on Peaky Blinders at Portsoy, has started recruiting in Oban.
Advertising on the town’s local information Facebook page Fiona Miller, company director of GBM Casting writes: “We are looking to cast local people from Oban aged 16 and upwards for an upcoming big movie filming in Oban in Spring/Summer 2021.
“This is a first stage casting call so exact locations and dates are still to be confirmed.
“Unfortunately, we are not in a position to share any production details but if you have any other questions please email us.”
Local hoteliers in Oban were also remaining tight lipped about any inquiries they have received regarding accommodation for film crews, with several declining to comment.
Speaking to The Press and Journal Graeme Miller, founder and director of GBM Casting, said: “There is a lot happening in the screen industry in Scotland.
“It is a really exciting time. We want people signed up in Oban, Fort William, Inverness and Aviemore. We have started in Oban. We want to see local faces on local productions. We are a country rich in amazing locations and we need to be ready to go when these productions arrive.”
The Glasgow-based company expects to see more filming at locations throughout Scotland and film production in the Highlands.
He said: “We are not able to provide production information. Film companies are very strict about that. When we were working on Peaky Blinders we called it the Portsoy project. The Oban project has now began. Dates and locations can change, we don’t want to raise expectations at this stage.
“We have an understanding of what is coming to town and we need to be ready. That’s why we are starting to expand into these areas.”
Extras are being sought from all walks of life. Mr Miller said: “What is really important is diversity. We need all shapes and sizes, if you have a contemporary look, if you are aged 16 or 60.
“We were approached by the BBC when they were in Portsoy and it was important to have local faces. You couldn’t have a massive amount of people travelling into and around the area.
“Why should that employment opportunity to earn paid work and appear in prestigious productions not be offered to the local community instead of just shipping people up from Glasgow and Edinburgh?
“We employed more than 50 local people in the Porstsoy area – 45 adults, seven children and two chaperones. We had strong representation from the community and that is exactly what we want to do in Oban.
“We anticipate work in Oban, Fort William, Aviemore and Inverness, therefore we need to have people signed up. We want to provide local opportunities to local people.”
Other big productions GBM has been involved with include Marionette in Aberdeenshire, Succession in Dundee and Outlander throughout the Highlands.
The new Bond film, No Time to Die, features a car chase scene filmed at Laggan.
The stunt filmed in 2019 involves a Range Rover flying through the air. Film fans are still waiting for it to be shown on the big screen, with the release of the movie being delayed until September 2021 due to Covid-19.
To apply to be an extra in the upcoming Oban film, visit the GBM website or email artists@gbmcasting.co.uk
