Trek casting call: “Ride through real rush hour traffic” for $500
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor-in-Chief) on May 13th, 2008 at 11:01 am
From the looks of a casting call (below) that made it’s way onto the Shift email list (via ExtrasOnly.com), Trek Bicycles plans to film an upcoming national commercial in Portland — and they’re looking for a few good bicyclists.
Check out the flyer…
(Click for PDF)
The flyer — put out by Danny Stoltz Casting — calls for “Good Mountain Bikers” ages 18-28 and warns that you’ll be expected to “RIDE AGGRESSIVELY W/GROUP!”. Just remember, that if you’re in Forest Park (where I assume they’ll shoot this), be wary of joggers and other folks using the roads/trails.
This could be that big shot at stardom you’ve been waiting for…or maybe just a fun way to make $500! If any “good mountain bikers” or “experienced bicyclists” do this, I’d love to get a report back in the comments.
Auditions will be held in this Thursday and Friday and filming is slated for May 29th (see the flyer for more details).
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May 13th, 2008 14:33
Shoot--I'll be out of town, and I'd be a shoe-in with the (in)famous God Bless America sticker-covered USPS 5200 (ha!). Thanks for the news, Jonathan.
May 13th, 2008 17:40
I wonder why they're excluding grownups. Heh.
May 13th, 2008 18:19
Duh! Grownups don't ride bikes! Jeez.
May 13th, 2008 18:26
Jeff...watch it or I'll throw my Geritol bottle at ya..
May 13th, 2008 18:50
I'm IN!
May 13th, 2008 19:28
25-35???
Certainly narrows the field, but sure seems a bit restrictive.
May 13th, 2008 19:52
What I want to know is what do they mean by ride through rush hour traffic? Do they want people to do a Lucas Brunelle-esque bomb through rush hour traffic? Do they want confident cyclists who navigate rush hour traffic while still respecting traffic laws and safety? 'Cause I can ride respectfully, safely, and lawfully through rush hour traffic, but I am a far far far cry from Lucas Brunelle (or any of those people I've seen in his video).
May 13th, 2008 21:31
Good question, Russell.
Also: it doesn't say, but I assume you have to own a Trek bicycle??
May 13th, 2008 21:48
every Friday at five, you can ride the parking lot bomb down the Sunset Hwy, from either Sylvan or the Zoo, to the Jefferson St. exit. I'll do it on my Trek, too.
May 13th, 2008 22:45
wait. the shoots in portland, and theyre promising riding through "real rush hour traffic"?
something isnt right here...
May 14th, 2008 00:06
I'd imagine that since they're mentioning bringing one's own bike for the *casting*, they'll provide Trek bikes for use by casted individuals for the actual shoot. It's doubtful that a national commercial is going to be filmed the same day as the casting session.
They might want to make sure you've got enough skill and aren't certifiably crazy before they let you risk their product out in traffic. OTOH, maybe there's no skill demonstration whatsoever and they want everyone to have their own prop whilst dressed as if they were out biking, as intimated by the flyer...
May 14th, 2008 06:26
Doubly dissed - I'll be out of town *and* I'm too old. How about if you *look* 25-35?
"Real people", indeed. Perhaps if this were the biking version of Logan's Run.
;-)
Hmm... Actually, that might make a cool movie.
May 14th, 2008 07:04
What a pity. I've been bike commuting for over 20 years and know my way in "rush hour" (usually S L O W going) and even fairly master green light sequences, all done in my grey hair and beard..
Good luck, youngsters!
May 14th, 2008 07:50
How cool would that be riding through rush hour and getting paid for it.....
Damn I'm to old for both......
yeah, well I'll still have fun whipping through rush hour traffic
May 14th, 2008 08:53
An Open Letter to Trek,
I am 39, I ride one of your bikes through rush hour every day, and I feel younger when I do so. Please send me a letter when you need extras for the Trek Wheelchair or Walker commercial. I say letter because as an old person, I cannot figure out this computer, e-mail, or the Internets.
May 14th, 2008 09:00
I have the unfortunate disctintion of being too young for this one...25-35 seems like a weird age range.
May 14th, 2008 09:30
Treks are overrated :)
May 14th, 2008 09:43
why only male mountain bikers? can we say "sexist"? though i guess the image of a "good mountain biker" conflicts with that of "suzy homemaker." wait...is this 2008? or 1958?
May 14th, 2008 09:51
If you think selling to a very specifically targeted demographic is sexist, then I guess I've got a beef as to why I never see men in all those make-up commercials, huh?
Don't feel bad, Alicia. They don't want to see me on my Trek Top Fuel 9.8 flying past all the young bucks, but somehow I'm not upset at the loss of opportunity to help corporate America make more money by trading on my image.
May 14th, 2008 10:11
..on the other hand, (#17 and 18) at least we'll get -I hope-bicycle ads, which would be refreshing.
May 14th, 2008 10:37
this 34-year-old mama shredder protests the general age-ism and sexism of our society but is still going to put together a trek bike (we have a frame lying around here somewhere) and go to the casting call. can't hurt to try :)
May 14th, 2008 11:11
A major bicycle manufacturer wants to feature Portland and local riders in an advertisement.
And immediately the comments become completely negative about the proposition.
Is there any way to please you people?
May 14th, 2008 11:15
Tempted fib about my advanced (40) age.
May 14th, 2008 11:20
I have an audition @ 5PM tomorrow.
At first I felt a little conflicted about possibly being in an advertisement, but considering that it's for a cycling company (despite the fact that I don't own a Trek) I think it's worth my time.
May 14th, 2008 11:21
"I have an audition @ 5PM tomorrow."
cool Aumie.. thanks for sharing. Please report back on how it goes.
May 14th, 2008 11:38
i just called to leave my name and the message reported that they're now accepting women for the mountain biking spot! the max age of 28 still stands tho.
May 14th, 2008 11:40
I road past about a mile of cars parked on Burnside at the light on 82nd this morning. Maybe I'll pickup some hair dye on the way home and lie about it. Although I may not have the rush hour skills they are looking for since my commute takes me around most of it.
May 14th, 2008 12:04
If it is sexist to make a commercial or any piece of media in which you create a part with a certain type of person in mind, then every movie created must be sexist/ageist. Movies and commercials have rolls that actors fulfill. Is it necessarily discrimination? I suppose, but its not wrong. You hire the right person for the job, sorry if someone skills or appearance dont match up with the companies needs (this is a commercial after all, appearance is valid for judging). Its the way of the world.
That said I wonder if I can pass for 25 if I keep my beard a couple more days. Hah.
Good luck to everyone.
May 15th, 2008 08:59
you think they'd take me on my fixie? for 500 bucks its worth a try