Extra special: filmmakers wanted to show the diversity of the UAE

More than 200 extras were hired for Furious 7 by the UAE-based casting company Miranda Davidson Studios, during auditions held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai last March.

Fast and Furious 7 had many scenes filmed in Abu Dhabi. Much of the casting was done by a local company MD Studios. Lee Hoagland / The National
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As the UAE waits with bated breath for the next instalment of the Fast and Furious franchise, few are more excited than the hundreds of local residents who actually worked on the film.

More than 200 extras who were hired for Furious 7 by the UAE-based casting company Miranda Davidson Studios, during auditions held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai last March, will have a private screening of the film ahead of its scheduled April 2 opening in UAE cinemas.

The owner of the studio says she was hired mostly to cast background extras for the film, with a few featured roles, and a firm directive from the ­filmmakers.

“We were mainly looking for the diverse look of the UAE,” says Miranda Davidson, the studio’s owner. “They really wanted to make sure we reflected the international feel of the country.”

As well as doing the casting for the top-grossing franchise from Universal Studios, the company also worked on the US$20 million (Dh73.5m) Chinese movie, Switch.

Furious 7 was much different, Davidson ­explains.

"Furious 7 is unique because it's a part of a franchise, so some of the crew had done all seven films. Everyone really seemed to be enjoying their time. It was very intense, as most films are, but it was not tense. You just got the feeling everyone wanted to pull together and get it done. You hear about drama on sets, but there really was no drama, just a great synergy of people,"

Samuel Allison, 19, who had recently graduated from Dubai British School, is Davidson’s right-hand man. “Just being able to get up every day and work in our industry, let alone on a project like Furious 7, is really making a dream into a reality,” he says.

Allison had been most looking forward to meeting Cody and Caleb Walker – the brothers of Paul Walker, who took over the franchise star’s role after he died in a car crash last year – on set.

“Though they’re not actors, it was a wonderful yet emotional experience seeing them in person – a personal highlight from the entire shoot,” he says. “It was very touching for everyone, cast and crew alike, seeing that they were there to complete Paul Walker’s legacy and do him justice. They were two of the most down-to-earth people you’d ever meet – very kind and considerate, and they spoke to everyone on set. I think they will be very proud come the release date for the film.”

Allison found Tyrese Gibson to be the most professional of the actors on set.

“He was a joy to have around, someone who instantly brought humour and a smile to people’s faces. Tyrese was very respectful to everyone. Between scene changes, he went around to greet and shake everybody’s hand and this is something that I really respect about him.”

Working as Davidson’s casting assistant was a world away from 30-year-old Emirati Mohammed Yahia’s day job as a product development manager.

He was picked for the role after sending in an audition video to the Abu Dhabi Film ­Commission, a local partner on the project along with twofour54.

“I thought I should make a video so crazy that even if I wasn’t selected, I would at least be remembered. So I created a one-minute funny video highlighting everything I can and can’t do. A week later I was ­selected.”

The Emirati called up actors and contacts in the media world to ask them if they wanted to add the movie to their CVs.

“Because I was sure they would love to have a look at the behind-the-scenes of a Hollywood production,” he explains. “The hours were long and the work was exhausting, but being part of Miranda’s casting team on this project was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.”

Despite his enthusiasm, Yahia managed to keep his work on the project a secret from members of his own family.

“I wasn’t supposed to mention it to anyone, so most of my family didn’t know,” he explains. “Once we finished shooting, friends and family had various reactions. Some were indifferent and others were very excited and blamed me for not getting them to star – I’m not sure how influential they thought I was.”

Approaching and during the shooting dates, Miranda Davidson Studios was also responsible for the talent themselves. That included making sure they were as comfortable as possible in their hotels, accompanying them on set and serving as additional production assistants for the main crew.

One of the extras was the Iran-born estate agent and abaya designer Samira Behyari, who went to the casting call last March motivated purely by a desire to meet Vin Diesel in the flesh. While filming a scene shot at the Emirates Palace Marina, she got her wish – also meeting Michelle Rodriguez, the Walker brothers and Ludacris, who proved to be her favourite celebrity.

“He was so down-to-earth and a great guy,” she says. “The directors were friendly, too.

“I had to do the same thing 20 to 30 times, walking back and forth at the marina. It was pretty hot that day but there wasn’t too much waiting around.”

Behyari admits she can't resist smiling to herself when she passes by Furious 7 filming locations as the memories come flooding back, especially of those cars.

“The cars were amazing!” she says. “I absolutely loved the cars.”

artslife@thenational.ae