Talent search underway for Star Wars characters 'Mara' and 'Caro'

Casting directors are now setting up auditions for lead and supporting roles in "Star Wars: Episode IX." The film is using the working title "Black Diamond." There is currently a talent search underway for an actress between 40-50 years of age to play a character named "Mara," and also an ethnically diverse actress between 18-26 years of age to play a character named "Caro." Caro has a captivating naturalness, is a leader and problem solver, and also sports a sense of humor along with a strong will.

Numerous additional roles are also being cast, both males and females. Filming will be taking place beginning in July, 2018 at the Pinewood Studios in London, England and surrounding areas. Talent can be considered from all areas from video auditions and live Skype readings. Anyone interested in being considered for these new roles in "Star Wars: Episode IX" can sign up to be submitted, details are posted at the following - www.moviecastingcall.org/star-wars-episode-ix-auditions/.

J.J. Abrams will direct, and also produce along with eight-time Academy Award nominee Kathleen Kennedy and Michelle Rejwan. Film Independent Spirit Award nominee Callum Greene is executive producer. 1st AD is BAFTA Awards winner Tommy Gormley. Academy Award nominee John Schwartzman is DP. "Star Wars: Episode IX" will hit theaters on Dec 20, 2019 with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures handling domestic and international distribution.

"Solo: A Star Wars Story" is set to begin filming in January, 2018. Lucasfilm will also start production on Obi-Wan Kenobi Star Wars spinoff in January, 2019. This will be Star Wars Anthology movie based upon the venerable Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, with the studio reportedly tapping Stephen Daldry ("Billy Elliot," "The Hours") to develop the project with a view to directing.

Star Wars: Episode IX Casting Calls

Submission Information for Speaking Roles

Click here for details on signing up to be submitted to casting directors for Star Wars: Episode IX.

---

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions (see above).

Star Wars: Episode IX Production Office
PLT Productions (UK) LTD
Pinewood Studios
Main Admin Building
Pinewood Road
Iver Heath, Bucks SLO ONH
United Kingdom

Carbonado Industries (UK) Ltd
3 Queen Caroline Street
Hammersmith, London
United Kingdom, W6 9PE

Lucasfilm, LTD
1110 Gorgas Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94129

The Walt Disney Studios
3 Queen Caroline Street
London W6 9PE
United Kingdom

Executive Producer:

Callum Greene

Producers:

J.J. Abrams
Kathleen Kennedy
Michelle Rejwan

Production Manager:

D.J. Carson

Writers:

J.J. Abrams
Jack Thorne

Director:

J.J. Abrams

Cinematographer:

John Schwartzman

Starring:

Daisy Ridley - Rey
Mark Hamill - Luke Skywalker
Andy Serkis - Supreme Leader Snoke
John Boyega - Finn
Oscar Isaac - Poe Dameron
Lupita Nyong'o - Maz Kanata

Story:

The upcoming ninth film in the Star Wars saga and the final film in the sequel trilogy.

Still no 'Best Casting By' award at the Academy Awards

Why don't casting directors have a category for "Best Casting By" at the Academy Awards?

To comprehend this issue, you have to have a deep understanding of how the casting process works.

Casting directors are contracted by production companies and/or studios to cast specific projects. The casting directors (and their associate casting directors and assistants) filter through massive amounts of submissions for specific roles, mainly through talent agents.

The casting directors then audition actors for the specific roles being cast. They then choose what actors that they personally deem "right for the role", at their discretion, and they subsequently advance those actors to a "call back", to audition for the director, writer(s), producers, and for major roles.. the studio executives.

Eventually, the right actor for the role is hired. The actor is not hired directly by the casting director, but rather the director/production company/studio.

Other than for small speaking roles on TV series, the casting director does not have the ability to hire actors, they simply select a certain group of actors to advance in the casting process. I am not talking about extras. Extras are cast directly by Extras Casting Directors/Companies.

For there to be an Academy Award category for principal actor casting directors, the voting members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences would have to be able to see all of the hundreds (and even thousands) of actor's auditions for each role by the "Best Casting By" nominee, to be able to judge whether or not each casting director nominee did the best job.

And just to narrow down the casting nominees, there would have to be a massive amount of that material available to the Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences nominating committee. That is a logistical impossibility.

Directors, producers, writers, and studio executives have the final say in who is cast in specific roles, not casting directors. The best casting directors do a great job, and they have a great collaboration with those who do hire the actors, however there is no definitive way to establish a criteria for an Academy Award category for "Best Casting By".

I can elaborate much more about the casting process, however that would require much more than I can post here, it would be a complete eBook. I do want to elaborate about why casting directors are never credited in films as a Casting "Director", but rather credited as "Casting By".

The Directors Guild of America does not allow, by contract, any other persons on a film being credited with the word "Director", unless they are actually a "director" i.e. 1st AD (First Assistant Director, etc). That includes the Cinematographer (widely called "DP" or "Director of Photography" on the set).

Casting directors are some of the hardest working people in the entertainment industry, but there you go, that is why there is no Oscar Award category for "Best Casting By".

2017 Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook is now available!

The brand new 2017 Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook is now available! This is the 22nd location in the series, and the eBook contains the most up-to-date, accurate, and comprehensive resources available for actors in Ontario, Canada. There is now a very large amount of major studio feature films and network television series in production in Toronto. The Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook includes the following information and documents for adults, minors, and foreign talent who would like to work as an actor or extra on film and television productions in Toronto, Ontario and in Canada:

• Toronto Casting Directors
• Toronto Extras Casting Directors
• Toronto Talent Agents
• Toronto Acting Schools and Coaches
• Toronto Headshot Photographers
• General Talent Agent Information
• Miscellaneous Toronto Actor Resources
• Audition Tips
• How to make an Audition Video
• Sample Actors Resume
• Sample Beginning Actors Resume
• Sample Cover Letter Casting Directors
• Sample Cover Letter Talent Agents
• Glossary of Entertainment Industry Terms
• Canadian Work Permit Overview
• Applying for a Work Permit outside Canada
• Canada Work Permit Information for Foreigners
• Canadian Document Checklist for a Work Permit
• Temporary Canadian Foreign Worker Program
• Canadian Application for Temporary Resident VISA
• Canadian Visa Photo Specifications
• Information for Parents of Child Performers
• Canadian Family Information Form
• Canadian Use of a Representative Form
• Guide To Canadian Child Labor Laws

You can now order your copy of the 2017 Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook for $19.95 through Amazon Payments at the following - http://www.actorsresourceguides.com/toronto-actors-resource-guide-ebook.html

You can also now order using Square Cash (https://cash.me). My email address to send your payment through Square Cash is alan.baltes@gmail.com and my Square Cash username is $AlanBaltes. Simply enter "TORONTO" and your EMAIL ADDRESS in the "FOR" box when sending the $19.95 payment. I can also send a $19.95 payment request if you give me your email address or cell phone number. Contact me at alan.baltes@gmail.com if you would prefer a payment request with a link that you can use to pay.

Once payment is received, your eBook will be emailed to you.

Indie film 'In Search of Liberty' casting call

Blu Nile Films will be filming the independent film "In Search of Liberty" in the Savannah, Georgia area this Summer, and the producers are now accepting email submissions from talent who are interested in appearing in the film as fully paid specialty actors and featured background actors. Roles available are for men ages 40+ who can portray specific United States Presidents and Founding Fathers, and also men ages 20+ to play British Redcoats, a Medieval King, and Medieval Knights. The production is also accepting email submissions from people who are interested in working as crew members and production staff/assistants.

Norm Novitsky is directing "In Search of Liberty" from an original screenplay written by Tom Solari. Solari will also produce along with Sonia Carroll and Eric Sherman.

Story Synopsis:

A captivating statesman from America's past takes a modern family-of-four on a series of wild adventures. With a spicy mix of humor, magic and logic, he opens their eyes to the origins and importance of the United States Constitution, the degree to which it is under attack and what can be done to save it. Key aspects of the Constitution are clearly outlined and important Amendment, such as those guaranteeing freedom of religion and speech, the right to bear arms, warrants for search and seizure, State's rights, etc., are shown to be vital in everyday life. The real reasons behind attempts to destroy our Second Amendment rights are brought home in dramatic fashion by a famous American hero from WWII. Then, in a hair-raising ride, the "carnival" that passes for government in Washington is exposed for the frightening House of Horrors that it truly is. As a result of these eye-popping journeys and disclosures, a whole community takes to the streets in honor of Constitution Day - and they now know, with certainty, whom to vote for... the candidate who knows and adheres to the Constitution, the bulwark of America's great power and success.

In Search of Liberty Casting Call Details Casting Call Details

All actors and extras must be legally eligible to work in the entertainment industry in the state of Georgia and in the United States. The applications, documents, and required information can be downloaded from the 2016 Atlanta Actors Resource Guide eBook. All 2016 Actors Resource Guide eBooks can be found here.

The producers for the independent feature film "In Search of Liberty" are seeking the following to appear in the film as general extras and featured background actors. There is no previous experience necessary. Shooting will take place in the Savannah, GA area in June and July, 2016.

Caucasian men ages 40+ that can portray the following United States Presidents and Founding Fathers:

• ALEXANDER HAMILTON
• JAMES MADISON
• JOHN ADAMS
• THOMAS JEFFERSON

To be considered for one of the United States Presidents and Founding Fathers, submit your full name, location, height, weight, all clothing sizes including shoe and hat, age and all contact information including email address and mobile phone number. Include three recent color snapshots (headshot, full body shot, and full body profile, only you in the photo, no hats or sunglasses). Also list ALL DATES that you are NOT AVAILABLE to shoot during the months of June & July. Send the above to: libertyfilmextras@gmail.com

PLEASE PUT NAME OF THE PRESIDENT FOR WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR EMAIL (Example – SUBJECT: John Adams).

The producers are also looking for Caucasian men ages 20+ to play the following SPECIALTY ROLES:

BRITISH REDCOATS
MEDIEVAL KING - (horseback riding experience desired)
MEDIEVAL KNIGHTS - (horseback riding experience desired)

To be considered for BRITISH REDCOATS or one of the MEDIEVAL ROLES, submit your full name, location, height, weight, all clothing sizes including shoe and hat, age and all contact information including email address and mobile phone number. Include three recent color snapshots (headshot, full body shot, and full body profile, only you in the photo, no hats or sunglasses). Also list ALL DATES that you are NOT AVAILABLE to shoot during the months of June & July. Send the above to: libertyfilmextras@gmail.com

PLEASE PUT SPECIALTY ROLE FOR WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR EMAIL (Example –

SUBJECT: Medieval King).

Crew Members and Production Staff/Assistants

Crew members and production staff/assistants can submit resumes and info to the following:

libertyfilmcrew@gmail.com

Absolutely NO actor or extras submissions to this email address, they will be discarded.

---

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions (see above).

Blu Nile Films
PO Box 4200
Malibu, CA 90264

Producers:

Sonia Carroll
Eric Sherman
Tom Solari

Writer:

Tom Solari

Director:

Norm Novitsky

Cinematographer:

Xin Wang

Starring:

Karen Boles – Lori
Simone Griffeth – Charlene
Montré Everett – Mayor

Story:

A captivating statesman from Americas past takes a modern family-of-four on a series of wild adventures, opening their eyes to the origins and importance of the U.S. Constitution.