‘Yonkers Joe’ seeking extras

Chazz Palminteri plays the title role in "Yonkers Joe," the story of a cardsharp and dice hustler who tries to bond with his mentally challenged son (Tom Guiry) and find the perfect scam -- not necessarily in that order.

The movie, from Las Vegas-based Insomnia Entertainment, is scheduled to begin a 21-day shoot June 2.

Before then, however, the production needs union and nonunion extras of all ages to portray gamblers, pedestrians, cocktail waitresses, parking valets and other background roles.

If you're interested, e-mail your photo and contact information to julie@gacasting.com.

"Demon" days: The spirit of "Grindhouse" grinds on as one of the exploitation era's pioneers, Las Vegas' own Ted V. Mikels, concludes principal production on "Demon Haunt."

This week's locations includes a hospital waiting room, a church rectory and parking lot, the latter surrounded foliage that will match footage Mikels previously shot in England.

Mikels also plans to film "demons attacking our exorcist" (Sean Morelli) on sets constructed at his Las Vegas studio.

"We've been shooting every day," he notes. Next week, Mikels will supervise pickup shots -- and the creation of computer-generated "demons attacking people and bloodying them up."

The movie, which began production April 10, focuses on a teacher (Olivia Dunkley) and her handicapped sister (Stevie McKinley) terrorized by the computer-generated blood demon Hemator.

"Demon Haunt" isn't the only production Mikels has coming up, however. His career also has inspired the book "Film Alchemy: The Independent Cinema of Ted Mikels," to be published this fall by McFarland and Co.

Royal question: Inquiring minds want to know, "Does America Love the Royal Family?"

That is the question for Britain's Twofour Broadcast, which is scheduled to shoot an hourlong special Tuesday through Thursday.

The five-member crew plans to shoot in casinos, along the Strip and at the iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.

"Las Vegas was chosen" as a filming site because it's "a quintessentially American city," explains Twofour producer-director Delilah Seale. The special will air on Britain's Sky One channel later this year, she reports.

Informercial, please: Las Vegas-based informercial specialist Ben Kalb returns with another project, this one touting a hair-growth product. Jordan Adams and Lynda Elkin host; former soap star Tom Hallick plays a news anchor in the production.

Residences throughout the valley serve as locations, following last week's shoot at DK Studios. Henderson's Kaya Salon is scheduled to provide the backdrop June 4.

Carol Cling's Shooting Stars column appears Mondays. Contact her at 383-0272 or e-mail her at ccling@reviewjournal.com.