Casting Journal: 1 of 3

PRODUCTION > CASTING

It's a phrase often quoted in many a film / directing class and yet still manages to be true. And that's 95% of good directing is the casting. I don't know if I agree with the exact percentage point - but boy it’s up there.

CASTING QUESTIONS

Casting is a true multi-faceted art form. It certainly begins with "the look" - the head shot and resume (an incredibly useful tool that tells you everything and nothing at the same time.) But beyond that, casting (especially on the super indie level) is about digging deep for real talent. I don't have the benefit of having seen their work - or relying on their "star power." Most of the fine folks that show up for an indie short audition are still budding, still building their reels, looking for a big break.

Because we've no reference point, we've got to constantly have a few criteria, a few questions other then "Do they look like a mother" in mind. Can they act? Do I believe them? There's also the question of mold-ability. How do they take a note? Will they take chances and give me something from the material I didn't even know was there? And even if they're perfect for the part; Still lingers the most important question of all. "Will they care enough about some dinky short to show up the day we shoot."

CASTING LOCATION

In casting Pretend, we went to The Actors Studio, a great little spot off Pico and Robertson. Its got a mini lobby, and a great stage area. When you're bringing in actors you’ve no prior experience with, I think its important to let them know you're serious - and these auditions were important enough to do them in a space. We probably could've cut costs and had them at one our apartments or something - but somehow the thought of having an audition in an apartment always recalls that Coco scene from fame. Not exactly the image I'd like to project. I mean I want people to show up.

AUDITIONS FOR EDDIE

Luckily we did not have that problem in casting Eddie. A feat owed to the efforts of my all star producer team – particularly Jack Perry and Claudia Vazquez.

Dozens of very talented, and very young thespians showed up to audition for Eddie. It was a fascinating process. Even when writing the character, I was never quite sure of how old he was. Seeing boys from 5 to 14 read for the part was kind of like this great workshop. They’d give me something, I’d make a suggestions – and suddenly we had a reading we both helped create. And ultimately, a good casting decision feels the same way. I'm always looking for an actor who can surprise me, and bring something to the table.

With Pretend, I had in mind a black boy at about age 9 who looked and talked a certain way. But instead of being so narrow with our search, we opened it up to all races and gave a wider age range. Ultimately, I'm looking for someone who will bring something to the role that is more then I ever dreamed of. And in that way a true collaborator.

The auditions for Eddie were incredibly successful. From dozens, we were able to narrow it down to 5 boys – of all different ages and races. I’m confident that one of them will make the perfect Eddie. Its just left to one more important casting question…chemistry.

More on that and the auditions for Eddie’s mother, Merideth to come...