VALLEJO actor Wayne Goodman landed a substantial role in the low-budget 'Has Been,' which premiered Thursday in Sacramento. (Courtesy photo)
Wayne Goodman may not be thrilled turning 50, but he realizes there is wisdom that comes with the years.

Take an acting career, for example. Goodman can only shake his head when sharing a stage with the neophyte and naive.

"For me, it's just a hobby," the six-year Vallejoan said. "That's the thing. I go into these shoots with young people who think, 'I'm going to be a star.' I'm just doing the acting thing for the love of the craft."

Goodman's fortunes - in an artistic sense - got a boost when he landed a significant part in the low-budget "Has Been," which premiered last Thursday at the Colonial Theatre in Sacramento.

"The movie was received very well," Goodman said. "It looked and sounded very professional for such a low budget."

The film was satisfying for the actor who was accustomed to bit parts.

"I've been an extra, doing little minor things," Goodman said. "But this is my first feature role. It's a pretty meaty part."

Goodman found the audition on craigslist, did a "home audition" with a Web cam, and impressed director Jon Russell Cring enough for an in-person read.

The job as a scandal-ridden minister was his for the taking. So he took it. And it wasn't for the loot.

"The pay on this job was very unimportant," Goodman said. "It was zero. A totally volunteer, love of the craft performance. It's 'Let's get some experience.' "

The film's budget, said Goodman laughing, "was about the same as the cost of this telephone call."

Not that the film looked it.

"It's amazing what they've done with so little money," Goodman said. "John and (Cring's wife) Tracy have just done amazing things. My sense is that people who can do something fantastic with nothing are miracle workers. It's amazing to work with people who can work on a shoestring budget."

There were times Goodman would check out the props and wonder if the movie would look like a bunch of kids put it together.

"Sets were made out of cardboard. I thought, 'This is going to look horrible,' " Goodman said. "But you see it on the screen and think, 'That looks great.' "

The film was shot at various Northern California locations, including Napa Valley, with operations based in Folsom.

The script, written by Cring's father, Jonathan Richard Cring, won the Best Screenplay at the Top Ten Films in America festival.

The comedy follows the plight of seven former celebrities at a remote resort in Montana who are asked to share their tales of woe with a greedy publisher. The result, according to the company's press release, "is two wacky weeks of comedic collision of egos and wilderness ignorance."

The movie business is a change from live theater, said Goodman, a Vallejo Music Theatre regular.

"Generally in music theater, I perform, walk off stage and an audience gives me immediate feedback," Goodman said. "This is a new experience for me."

Goodman did get positive vibes from the director. And that's a good thing, though it's not as if he'll be wearing bigger hats now.

"He would say, 'You did a great job' or 'You stole the scene,' " said Goodman. "I'd say, 'Oh, OK,' and put it aside and not let it get to me. Once you walk out to perform thinking, 'I am good,' then you won't be."

Goodman said "Has Been" will eventually be available on DVD, though "I don't know if it will be coming to a movie near us."

Goodman said his four days of filming was worth it.

"I wanted to see whether I could do a role in a film," Goodman said. "And I guess I found out Thursday night. I needed to know for myself if, at this point in my career, whether I could walk into a supporting part and say, 'Yes, I can do this.' Now I've done it and here's the proof."

For more information about "Has Been," visit extraordinaryfilmproject.com.