Casting for 5-10 minute piece, Auditions, Set Backs

With the two minute film completed, it was time to start considering the longer piece, which for us is a sequel to the two minutes. The treatment has been handed in, which goes into great detail about the breakdown of the film, and how we plan to use visuals and sound to enforce the piece.

For this piece, I seem to have invertedly accepted the role of producer, as I offered to find some actors for the piece due to the fact that (as I have stated previously), I am part of the website 'Star Now' and a few Facebook groups as well as saving the details of actors I have worked with previously.

I posted the following advert on various Facebook groups to pitch the idea...

ACTING CALL (SHEFFIELD/NON PAID)

Hey guys

I am a student at Sheffield Hallam University, and we are looking for two male actors (NON PAID).

The short is about two individuals who work for a niche cleaning company, that clears crime scenes after forensics have finished. Their is a vetran cleaner, and a rookie who is on his first day. The veteran has committed a murder prior to this short, and has arranged with an undisclosed third party (that has removed the body), to go clean up the crime scene before anybody discovers the murder.

The Character profiles are

ABE: aged 34-40, intimidating, a veteran in his job, who is very prejudiced, with a rude personality, yet demonstrates a keen love for his job. He is very precise and meticulous when carrying out his work.

DECLAN: aged 22-27, shy, determined to impress, has issues with confidence, however has a kind personality. Is ill equipped for the job, however ttys to connect and lean with Abe.

We aim to film in the later parts of next week and the week after (26th November-6th December). The filming will be based in Sheffield, so Actors who live in and around the area will be preferred.

You will receive a quicktime version of the film upon compleation for showreels, and a link to the film on Vimeo and Youtube.

If anybody is interested in taking this roll (or you know of any actors who may be interested), either PM me on here or e-mail: prentice_joshua@yahoo.co.uk with the following

Facial Profile (mandatory)
Any links to previous work (optional but preferred)

A full treatment will be provided to those who are interested.

Thank You.

I posted that message on groups such as
-The South Yorkshire Filmmakers Network
-Northern Filmmakers UK
-Actors UK

I also posted the idea on star now

http://www.starnow.co.uk/Casting-Calls/Actors-wanted/Short-film/two_male_actors_required_for_student_film_based_in_sheffield_non_paid.htm

I received rave reply's for the character Duncan from a few actors including: Chris Simpson, Callum Reid, Gregg Ibbotson, and Declan Smith. Declan had seen the advert on the northern filmmakers network, and Gregg, Callum and Chris I contacted direct with the offer.

We only received one reply for the role of Abe from one Mike Slater. He was aged mid fifty's so a bit out of Laurence's pitched idea for the character, (which Mike acknowledged) and we chose to raise his age, as it would fit this character more. 

With demand for actors in place, I sent them all a copy of the treatment and on Friday 21st I put together a schedule. I based this around Mike's submitted availability, as he was going to be playing Abe. A screen shot of the image of the schedule can be seen below. 

First schedule

It was frustrating trying to get everything audience, as Laurence couldn't deliver a script to the rest of the group until Sunday evening, which left a lot of strain on my part. However, the actors were quite lenient. I asked each actor what time would suit them best for the role, to which only Callum and Chris managed to get back to me. I sent along with the script, a timetable for the auditions on sunday night. Being without my own computer at home, meaning I would have to commute a thirty minute walk from home to addsettes, in order to get access to my email. 

On Monday 25th November, I arrived on time for the actors, and looked at my emails, to which I discovered that gregg had to miss the auditions due to a job interview. This was ok, however it was sad to find out that Mike had needed to pull out at the last minute due to major roadworks taking place on his route to Sheffield. This unfortunate circumstance has caused filming to be pushed back at least a week. I am now currently searching for his replacement in the role. 

On a positive not, we had three actors come in for the auditions, who all pulled out the stops to impress. Unfortunately only Me and Kieran could be present at the interview, as the director Laurence had a house inspection, Bryony had not checked the schedule, and Marcus was AWOL. I recorded the auditions on a macintosh film camera, and posted them on the group. This allowed Laurence to look at them and choose who he wanted for the role. Laurence chose Callum in the end, and I proceeded to tell him the good news. 

Between now and next week is the process of trying to find another Abe. I will include more detail in the following posts.