Below is a current picture of the homepage of our AT2 account. We've also advertised online on Star Now, Metro Screen and Pedestrian TV- read, a lot of audition requests coming through. It's been a busy long weekend and our first spent organising more formal auditions for a short film. In the process, we've picked up a few helpful hints on casting.
Directors: Organise somebody to stand at the door, directing people to the casting studio. Our person will also be observing the interaction between our auditionees and their family/ other actors. First and foremost- we need to be able to work with the actors. Get back to people in a timely fashion, and have a system. Our system has been severely thwarted by a terrible internet connection in our new place ( thanks, Optus) and the need to use an iPad/ pen and paper for everything. But, it's coming together- just. Choose sides ( a snippet from the screenplay) for the actor to audition with, and get them emailed away in a timely fashion. Advice from an actor friend: get the actors to read the lines of a famous song, for example- it relaxes them and gives you a look at their real nature.
Actors: Enthusiasm is great. Emails are amazing. Prompt responses are wonderful. But, sending an online application, followed by an email, followed by a Facebook message three hours later when you don't receive a response, is just tiring. Enthusiasm is great. But please don't send random anecdotes about how much you like fairies, etc. Unless it's followed by, 'and I played a lead role in Pan's Labyrinth,' it's probably irrelevant. Please please come on time to the auditions, and be good. That'd be nice ;) thanks! If you're on an online site, please out your email address or contact details if possible. Agents have sent us back several narky emails requesting that we contact the actor directly if possible.
Friends/ family, etc It's lovely that your child/ mum is interested in ice skating, films, or whatever. But we feel bad telling you that we need somebody who can actually act. Please don't hate us if we don't cast them.
Ps- we love you all and can't wait to make 'Fairy Fort.' K thanks! Stay tuned for the debrief email ;)
