Casting: A Little Bit of Alchemy
- augustinathefilm
- Apr 5, 2014
- 2 min read
Casting is an exciting and sometimes daunting process.
On AUGUSTINA we have a mixture of two different experiences:
1) Casting well-known actors for the Mum, Dad and Teacher roles. The first two characters in particular have a complexity that should appeal to actors, however the type of actor we would like rarely do short films! We are being pragmatic and I’m trying not to set my heart on a particular actor. Nuala has great links with the major agencies so this process is down to her. I gave her five names for each role, in order of preference and she is working through them. Fingers crossed we get someone from my list!
2) Casting teenagers for our lead actress and two supporting roles. We had our first casting last Saturday and I woke up exited. I love casting young people as there’s always the sense of discovery. With 11-14 year-olds they generally don’t have the training tools or the type of life experience that older actors use to inform their process. This means that I am looking to cast someone who’s energy and way of holding themselves is as close to the character as possible. Our main character KAYLEE is an introvert. Generally introverts don’t show up to casting calls! However, nerves during the audition and on film-sets can make the most extroverted teen a little more inward-looking. I am not being too prescriptive about looks or ethnicity but KAYLEE must seem like she carries a lot on young shoulders and conveys her feeling though her eyes.
Our first call went out through casting services so most of these actresses have representation and are used to the auditioning process. I respect these young girls who, at a generally awkward age, spend their weekends going to auditions. There is no way that I would have put my spotty-teenage self-conscious self through this process! We saw ten girls initially and there wasn’t a clanger amongst them. It’s a very interesting age to cast. One 11-year-old might look older and taller than a 14-year-old but I have to remember to pitch how I talk and work with them as three years is a big difference in maturity at that age. We’re meeting a further six this Sunday.
We’re also casting for two supporting teen roles via the school we are filming in. I have previously cast young non-actors via schools with great results. Again, casting close to the character is the way to go. This will happen after the Easter break (pesky school holiday in the middle of our prep period!). It’s a great way to get authenticity on screen, but on set, boredom can kick in as they realise filming is not all they imagine it to be! I will keep them fresh and engaged by not over-rehearsing the script and keeping an X-Box somewhere nearby!We will announce our cast as soon as we’ve signed them. @AugustinaFilm Augustina has been funded by Film London for London Calling 2014.
To find out how you can get involved please visit;
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/augustina
Should we be fortunate enough to hit our target amount of £3200 we will be donating 25% of any extra funds raised to the NSPCC.
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