Filmmaker Kevin Smith is casting a pilot show about comic-book fandom this week at his Broad Street comics and memorabilia store. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge)\
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
Kevin Smith seems to have a Brett Favre-y way of retiring sans allegations of creepy text messages.
The cult hero/director/producer/author/schmoozer and SModcaster, who announced earlier this year he’s bowing out of the film scene, isn’t completely leaving the entertainment world.
Smith’s next venture is reality TV and he’s looking “for real people who live and breath (sic) the comic book lifestyle. Must be funny outgoing and have a knowledge and passion for comics, superheroes, movie memorabilia and everything that goes with it.”
In other words, he’s looking for people a lot like himself.
Smith is set to produce a pilot show billed as a sort of “Pawn Stars for fanboys” at his Red Bank comic and memorabilia Mecca, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash.
The show will have an open casting call Thursday and Friday at the store. Manager Ming Chen told redbankgreen that Smith is teaming up with Elyse Seiden, the executive producer for the film Red State, which Smith wrote and directed. More details of the show, including where it might air, are under wraps for right now, but Chen said the show will be set in the store, at 35 Broad.
Smith has gained a loyal following on Twitter and has seen more recent success in his weekly SModcast a podcast with longtime production partner Scott Mosier which Chen says has been the vaunted director’s main focus of late.
“He’s been talking about (the pilot) all morning” during the recording of this week’s SModcast, Chen said.
More details for those interested in being part of the show, from production company Original Media’s Facebook page:
Looking for men and women ages 21 – 35 in the Tri-state area only. Must be available in Red Bank, NJ on either June 2nd or June 3rd AND a 3-day shoot on June 14th – 16th. To apply, send a picture and a short bio including name, age, and phone number to [email protected] If you are selected, we will contact you to schedule a follow up interview.
We’re also looking for people in the Tri-state area with cool, unique, rare, or otherwise awesome comic book/movie memorabilia. It’s Pawn Stars for Fanboys, and if you have something to sell/trade/or value, we want you to bring it to us! Must be available in Red Bank, NJ on either June 2nd or June 3rd AND one additional day between June 14th – 16th. To apply, send a picture of yourself, and a description and picture of the item with your name, age, and phone number to [email protected]. If you are selected, we will contact you to schedule a follow up interview.
