Extra, Extra: There are No Small Roles Joe Fishel ’91 shows how a Juniata education can prepare you for anything, even helping Batman beat the bad guys. For 10 years, Joe has been an extra in several movies and commercials shot in the Pittsburgh area, including the final installment of director Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
Adelaide (Muth) ’01 and Matthew R. Peters ’01
announce the birth of their first daughter, Elizabeth Trexler, on Oct. 21, 2011. Elizabeth weighed 7 lbs. and was 21.5 inches long. Megan (McGinnis) Swanson ’01 Photo: courtesy of Joe Fishel ’91
Q: How did you become an extra for movies and commercials?
A: I was in the right place at the right time for my first role as an extra in a UPMC commercial. I’ve also had roles in commercials for Direct TV, Highmark Insurance, the YMCA, and the Pennsylvania Film Industry, as well as work in television pilots. I’ve played a police officer/action extra in The Dark Knight Rises, which stars Christian Bale, a father in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which stars Emma Watson, and a SWAT/EMS officer in One Shot, which stars Tom Cruise.
Q: Is there a typical casting process? A: Movies will contract out to firms such as Mosser
Casting when they are looking for a particular type of actor, or films will have an open casting call. Extras start at minimum wage. Depending on the film, there can be a lot of time spent standing around. The Dark Knight Rises was incredibly well organized, so they kept us busy.
Q: What are your most memorable scenes? A: One of my favorite scenes was in Dark Knight Rises, where the Tumbler fires a missile into Gotham City Hall—my silhouette can be seen in front of the explosion. I also had a small speaking role in One Shot. I played a SWAT officer investigating a crime scene and there is a close up of my face (31 inches from the camera!).
Q: Is Christian Bale really angry? A: He was fine during the filming and chatted with people on the set. I think he just got a bad rep after he got frustrated with the director of lighting on the set of Terminator Salvation who kept interrupting his scene.
and husband, Don, proudly announce the birth of their daughter, Myla Grace, on March 27, 2011. Myla joins brother Levi Robert, 3. Jamie (Wallish) Hund ’03
and husband Matthew are proud to announce the birth of their second son, Joshua Henry, on Nov. 12, 2010. Joshua joins big brother Andy, 3. Megan (McElroy) ’03 and Jesse H. Rhodes ’03
are proud to announce the birth of their son, Jake, on March 31, 2011. Katherine (Ivers) Schunk ’03
and husband Justin proudly announce the birth of their first son, Maximus David, on Oct. 21, 2011. Maximus weighed 9.1 lbs. and was 20 inches long.
Bobbi (Albright) Hicks ’07
and husband Adam proudly announce the birth of their son, Sullivan Bruce, on Dec. 17, 2011. He weighed 6 lbs. 14 ozs. and was 19 inches long. Courtney (Kosanovich) ’07 and Nicholas A. Wade ’07
proudly announce the birth of their son, Macalister Lee, on Jan. 24, 2012. He weighed 9 lbs. 2 ozs. and was 20 inches long, and was welcomed home by big brother Benson, 2. Justin F. Armbruster ’08
and wife Sheena are proud to announce the birth of their son, Landon, on Aug. 10, 2010. Justin P. Doutrich ’09
and wife Debra are proud to announce the birth of their son, Jack Stephen, on Aug. 27, 2011.
Dana (Gais) ’05 and Nathan T. Whitford ’03
are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Ava Marie, on Oct. 11, 2011. Angela (Snowberger) Loose ’06
and husband Bryan adopted twin girls on Nov. 21, 2011. Amelia Gabriella and Alexi Gabriana were born Sept. 22, 2011.
Q: What are the next films you’ll be working on?
A: My next role will be in a film which is at this point
—Christina (Garman) Miller ’01, assistant director of alumni relations 87
2012 Spring-Summer
called Monongahela. I also played a security guard in Out of the Furnace, starring Christian Bale and directed by Scott Cooper. I’m also hoping to get a role in the upcoming film The Promised Land with Matt Damon.