Benefit Auction Item Idea - Procuring Walk-On Movie and Television Roles

Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC

Items which are considered "one of a kind" will always sell well in benefit auctions. What could be more unique than getting to participate in a movie or television production!

One of the most popular items we sell in our benefit auctions are items related to the entertainment industry.

A walk-on part usually refers to the opportunity for someone to be part of the background of a movie or a commercial. This isn't a speaking role, but for someone who hasn't been part of a production, these can be just as exciting items to win.

Below are three auction tips on how to get these benefit auction items.

Walk-on movie part auction tip #1: Ask family and friends.

Send an email to everyone you have in your address book. Ask if they know of anyone "in the business." You might be surprised to learn that someone has a distant connection.

At a private school auction I worked in Maryland, the auction committee was making an effort to advertise the auction to newer families which hadn't yet been to the annual fundraiser and might not know what was involved. As part of that outreach, they talked about auction items they hadn't yet procured, but wanted. As it turned out, one of the new-to-the-school Dads had a former college friend in the movie business. He made a phone call and was able to procure a walk-on part to a small independent movie. Based on the crowd's interest in the item, you would have thought the winner was going to be in the next James Bond movie. They loved it!

Walk-on movie part auction tip #2: Make friends with your state film commission.

Most states have a film commission. This commission helps movie production companies by serving as a local resource. Locate your state's commission by conducting an internet search.

Oftentimes the commission's Website will list all of the local producers, directors, wardrobe contacts, and other individuals working in that industry.

(Here's an extra auction tip: If someone on your auction committee has a personal interest in acting, ask her to be your liaison. She'll have a more vested interest in getting acquainted with local producers through a phone call.)

If an upcoming crew is shooting in your area, reach out and ask for a donation of a walk-on part. The item will be an exciting addition.

One thing to remember is that typically there is no flexibility on the date. For instance, if a production needs 15 people for a restaurant scene shoot on June 18 - and that date conflicts with your winning bidders out-of-town trip - it's just too bad for the guest who bought the item.

Walk-on movie part auction tip #3: Contact your local businesses buying air time.

Admittedly, being in a commercial carries less panache than being in a movie, but there *is* good news. Many movie extras -- the auction winner included -- eventually end up "on the cutting room floor," referring to the practice of being edited out of the final production. On the other hand, a local television commercial offers the winning auction guest the potential for a lot of visibility in his own town.

To secure this type of an auction item, watch TV to see which local businesses are regularly buying airtime in your market. Vehicle dealerships might be your best bet. If so, contact a dealer to see if two of your winning bidders could serve as background in the dealership's next commercial. Imagine the commercial: As the car dealer promotes his Memorial Day sale, two of your winning auction guests post as "customers" admiring the vehicles on his lot.

The author of this article (yes, me) has been cast in a few commercials. Watch excerpts from our shoot on my blog.

I'll see you for lunch in Hollywood, baby!


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Award-winning benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar, CMP, BAS writes auction tips from her home base of Washington, D.C. If you're a benefit auction chair seeking fresh ideas and solid guidance to improving your auction, get started with Sherry's Auction Item Guide. This FREE Guide ($29 value) gives your procurement committee some of the best-selling items for auctions. It's available to those who request it at Red Apple Auctions.