Last night - on May 9, 2011, I had the opportunity to experience actors perform words that I had written. It was both humbling and exciting.  We had an amazing first casting call! Ten actors auditioned for principal roles for our upcoming Speedsuit Powers film. By the end of the night, my Casting Director, Casting Consultant and I had narrowed down our picks.

We varied up the scenes to see their versatility: light comedy mixed with some heavy drama. A couple of the actors did cold readings, having been asked by us to read for a character they did not expect. After giving them a few minutes to look over lines they had never seen before, they gave a performance as if they had studied the lines for a few days! A couple of the dramatic scenes moved us to tears…

Names and pictures can’t be given at this time - but if this group of actors is any indication - open call auditions on May 24th are going to be amazing! Which actors will make the lineup? The running is going to be tight - and you won’t be disappointed when you see them on screen. We should be able to unveil them by the beginning of June.

Stay tuned!

CASTING CALL NOTICE:

Talented Actors Needed for Independent Film.  This is a Non-Union Production

Film Name: Speedsuit Powers (An adaptation of the young adult novel, Speedsuit Powers)
Logline: Two fatherless boys trying to find their way in the world.
Filming Schedule: 24 day shoot beginning Monday July 25, 2011
Filming locations: Bronx, New Rochelle, Middletown, NY
Writer/Producer/Director: Allen Paul Weaver III
Casting Director: Monique Lisa

Audition Date/Time: Tuesday May 24, 2011, 4pm-8pm

Auditions held at: Reel Creative Studios, 146 West 29th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001

*Please email headshot
resume & questions to: castingcall@speedsuitpowers.com

You will be contacted to RSVP.

Pay Rate: TBD based on experience
Call Back Dates: TBD

All Actors Please Bring:

Headshot and resume, 30 second monologue (No profanity please)
**Actors for Kelly Washington please come prepared to demonstrate dancing ability
***Under 18 please be accompanied by parent or legal guardian

Principal Characters:
Curtis Powers, African American, 14-15yrs, 5’9-5’11, slender/lanky build, incredibly smart (Protagonist)

Treyshawn Jinkins, African American, 15-16 yrs, 5’11-6’1, slender/muscular, bully (Antagonist)

Kelly Washington, African American, 14-15 yrs, 5’6-5’7, slender/ Ballet dancer, tough-yet-compassionate

Omar Powers, African American, 20-21 yrs, 6’3-6’5, muscular, Curtis’ older brother, U.S. Navy

Miranda Powers, African American, early-mid 40’s, 5’7-5’9, slender, Curtis’ mother, studying for business degree, works as waitress.

Malcolm Powers, African American, mid 40’s, 6’-6’2, medium build, Curtis’ father, Architect, Dies from cancer

Jim Grabowski, Caucasian, early 50’s, 5’9-6’, medium build, slightly overweight, physics teacher

Secondary Characters
Kevin & Kelvin Washington, African American, 18-19 yrs, 6’3-6’5, medium build muscular, Kelly’s Brothers, MVP’s in high school basketball and football. (Looking for twins or brothers who are close in age)

Mr. Andre, African American, mid 30’s, 6’-6’4, medium muscular, head of security at high school

Shakira Rollins, mid 30’s, 5’5-5’7, slender, Treyshawn’s mother – on welfare, lost singing career

Hakiim, African American/Hispanic, 15-16 yrs, 5’8-6’0, slender/muscular, Treyshawn’s right hand man

Mrs. Fuller, African American, mid 50’s, 5’5-5’8, regal in her attire, High School Guidance Counselor

Jack Riley, Ethnicity is open, mid 40’s, commanding presence, High School Principal

Melvin, African American/Hispanic, late 30’s, 6′-6′2, muscular, Shakira Rollins’ abusive boyfriend

Movie Synopsis
Imagine moving from the suburbs to the inner city and colliding with a school bully who’s BIGGER, STRONGER, and FASTER than you.   What do you do?  Curtis Powers is living this life!  Ninth grade, at a new school, is hard enough, without Treyshawn Jinkins making his days miserable.  Curtis just wants to pursue his dreams—now he’s got to avoid his nemesis, too!

Some call Curtis a geek; but his smarts won’t stop the inevitable.  Treyshawn is coming fast and Curtis must do something or face the worst beat-down of his life!  With help from his family, his best friend Kelly, and others, he’ll put a hi-tech plan into action that will do more than anyone thought possible.  And in the process he’ll learn that ‘when you can’t outrun your problems, you have to face them head on.’