LAWRENCE COUNTY

A farm that grows soybeans in a small town like Volant was apparently exactly what was needed for the two-hour season premiere of "The West Wing," NBC's political drama about a fictional president and his staff.

Though the name of the farm is yet to be released, a casting call from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Orr Auditorium at Westminster College for 300 extras, stand-ins and photo doubles will give area residents a chance for their 15 minutes of fame.

The Lawrence County Tourist Promotion Agency two weeks ago received word of the planned filming but couldn't release the information to the public until Monday afternoon.

"We were walking around with stupid grins on our faces but we couldn't say anything until the agreement was signed," said JoAnn McBride, agency executive director.

She said the agency learned in June that the Pittsburgh Film Office was looking for a farm with soybean plants, and a small town with a secluded gas station, train station and general store.

"I e-mailed our members and everyone came up with ideas and went to work filming and taking pictures of the area. It was a real community effort," Ms. McBride said of the 170 agency members.

The agency is not permitted to name the farm, but Ms. McBride did say that a quarter of the two-hour season premiere will be filmed in and around Volant, which will stand in for the state of Indiana.

A registration form for the Saturday casting call is available online at www.mossercasting.com. It asks general information such as name, address, date of birth, height, weight and hair and eye color. For more information, call Nancy Mosser Casting, (412) 434-1666.