Extra! Extra! Agency seeks extras, ‘Extra’ settling in

It's all over but the flying. At least for "The Untitled Blackjack Picture," formerly known as "21," which briefly returns to Las Vegas for insert shots, including several from an aerial perspective.

The movie, which spent three weeks here in February, was expected to wrap principal production Friday in Boston.

Actor Jim Sturgess -- who plays one of six collegiate math whizzes turned expert card-counters -- will participate in one shot here.

But a lot more people -- a hundred extras, ages 21 to 35 -- are scheduled Tuesday at the Palms' ghostbar deck while a helicopter (and camera) hover above.

Wild Streak Talent still needs background players for the scene; if you're interested, e-mail wildstreakt@aol.com or telephone them at 252-8382.

"Extra" effort: The syndicated entertainment news show "Extra" opened its local bureau about a year ago.

But the show only recently settled into its official Glitter City home: the "Extra" Lounge at Planet Hollywood Resort.

"The decision to have a bureau" here "has more than paid off," according to co-executive producer Jeremy Spiegel. "It's exploded."

After all, "The stars are all in Vegas," he reasons. "How can we not be in Vegas?"

Having the lounge on the casino floor gives the show a permanent site for interviews -- including Friday's scheduled chat with Jessica Simpson, who'll be performing at Pure nightclub at Caesars Palace for the Pussycat Dolls' second anniversary.

But it also means visitors "can come in and be in the presence of stars," Spiegel notes, adding that "Extra" plans to expand its Planet Hollywood presence with a 27th-floor suite featuring a "state-of-the-art" studio -- and a panoramic Strip view.

"Demon" days: Cult filmmaker Ted Mikels' "Demon Haunt" rolls on, with three principal cast members joining the fun: Olivia Dunkley (as a teacher terrorized by Hemator, the computer-generated title demon), Stevie McKinley (as the teacher's disabled sister) and Sean Morelli (as a paranormal investigator).

This week's locations range from a costume museum to two area residences -- which, through the magic of the movies, will appear as one house in the finished production. (Basement scenes, however, will be filmed at Mikels' Las Vegas studio, basements being difficult to come by in Southern Nevada.)

The write stuff: The countdown clock's about to start for the Nevada Film Office's 20th annual screenwriting contest.

The submission period begins Tuesday and runs through June 1. The contest is open to unsold writers whose scripts contain 75 percent locations filmable in Nevada.

More information and complete contest rules are available online at www.nevadafilm.com.

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