Casting Calls & Extra Work

Imagine auditioning for a role in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It could happen. Seriously. Sometimes directors want an unknown for a role because an unknown actor has no identity. What's an identity? When you think Mike Myers, do you think of Austin Powers, baby? Thought so. Identity means that certain actors may be forever tagged, or identified, with a character they've played, so it's hard for the audience to believe them when they play a different one.

So how do you get discovered by the Hollywood big wigs? Well, if you're Sarah Michelle Gellar, it's eating at McDonalds. And, if you're Charlize Theron, it's throwing a tantrum in a bank. But before you start scarfing back Big Macs or kicking and screaming outside at an ATM - why not try an open casting call? Open casting calls are held by lots of different movie studios, TV stations and other Hollywood big wigs when they want to cast a fresh face. Open casting calls can be held for just about any role - TV or film - and are open to anyone who's got the guts to give it a go. Check this one out...

Casting Call
Attention: Movie Star wannabes and Harry Potter fans! Warner Brothers is holding casting auditions for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Casting queries should be sent to Jina Jay:
Jina Jay
Leavesden Studio
P.O. Box 322
Watford, England
WD25 7XJ

American Idol also held open casting calls all around the US looking for "the next big thing," which turned out to be Kelly Clarkson. But, as you saw in the first epsiode, anybody and everybody can audition at an open casting call (remember Stephanie Sugarman - UGH!) Fox will be doing it again soon, for the next American Idol competition. (Keep checkin' Kidzworld for the 411 on that too!)

Open casting calls are a great way to get some acting/audition experience. Even if ya don't get picked, it's a valuble experience just going through the process and seeing how the biz works. And even if ya only score a bit part, you'll begin gaining the experience needed to join SAG and/or A.F.T.R.A. (acting unions.) You can't get that big acting gig without belonging to one of these organizations.

If you just wanna simple, less intense way to hang out on a movie set, why not try extra work? If you live in a larger city, productions will often advertise that they need extras for a scene and that anyone can come down. (Be sure to have an adult check the ad out with you and make sure it's legit.) If you've done this type of extra work a couple of times, and you're still serious about it, then you may want to look into signing with an agency. But beware, cuz there are a lot of sketchy companies out there.

Do you have a question about the movie industry? Just ask us!

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