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.’

Hey everyone. It’s been a while since there’s been a Speedsuit Powers update. Just wanted to let you know what’s been going on in March. First, let me say that God is good. Stepping forward and taking risks everyday, even while being unsure of the outcomes, has been a struggle. I keep thinking about Dr. Ben Carson’s book, Take the Risk. In it he encourages readers to face their fears. Two of his questions  come to mind - “What’s the worst thing that can happen if I take this risk? What’s the best thing that can happen if I take this risk?” Each day I pray and God provides strength to take another step.

SPREADING THE WORD

We’re working hard to spread the word about Speedsuit Powers and how it’s impacting readers. We’re using social media, word of mouth and having one-on-one conversations whenever the opportunity arises. As part of our efforts, we even sent copies to the White House for the First Family.

Today, we received a thank you card - encouraging us to stay active and involved in making a difference in the lives of others. The growing bullying epidemic is surely one such issue that affects us all. And if we don’t do something our kids will continue to lose hope.

With everything going on around the world, we don’t know if President and First Lady Obama (or Sasha and Malia) have had the opportunity to read the book yet; but receiving it is a good first step - especially since they have made addressing school bullying one of their priorities. You can watch their school bullying prevention video below.

SCREENPLAY ADAPTATION

We are also very excited about preparing to produce Speedsuit Powers as an independent movie! This has been the number one suggestion from readers. The script is done and arrangements are being made for production. If you’ve already read the book, then you know this will be a movie you won’t want to miss! Look for a 2012 release. More info coming soon!

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Finally, we each must do our part. What are your solutions for bully prevention and other negative issues our youth are facing? How can you make a difference where you are?  Without positive involvement our kids’ lives will continue to spiral out of control.

You can make a difference! Keep Pressing Forward!

For more information about bullying, visit StopBullying.gov.

-Allen Paul Weaver III-

THE OPEN SHOW

Speedsuit Powers was on the “Open” show—hosted by Daren Jaime!  It’s amazing how fast a 10-15 minute interview goes on television. It was over just as things were getting good.  My stomach was churning and my mouth was drying out as my segment approached; me…the guy who has shot hundreds of hours of video from Africa to China, produced interviews for various clients and coached them to be comfortable in front of the camera… I was nervous. As they turned on my microphone and did sound checks, I could hear my heart pounding.  It’s different being in front of the camera on a live show where they can’t edit out your mistakes.

(”Open” host: Daren Jaime and author, Allen Paul Weaver III)

KEEP PRESSING FORWARD…

But I prayed and pressed forward, remembering not to look at the cameras, but to focus on the discussion, listen to Daren Jaime’s questions and comments, and speak from my heart about the issues.  This is how someone avoids a ‘crash and burn’ in front of a television audience of thousands, the crew, and the other invited quests.

(Daren Jaime and Allen Paul Weaver III discuss ways to impact youth)

After discussing the storyline of Speedsuit Powers, the motivation behind the book, the cover artwork, the rising tide of school bullying and what the community can do to make a difference in the lives of our youth—the result was a room full of people who were excited to know more about my book, me as an author and ways to make an impact.  Several people shared stories about youth they felt would benefit from this epic urban adventure called Speedsuit Powers.

(Assistant, Bharati Kemiaj and host, Daren Jaime presented with their copy of Speedsuit Powers)

A FIRST AMONG MANY…

This was my first television interview for anything created by my heart, mind and hands. It was humbling.  One of the greatest things I learned during this experience was that, an interview is over quick—so live in the moment.  Be there in the discussion; because afterwards you will have to continue to live on purpose.  So take every moment and don’t try to forecast into the future. Just be there and enjoy the ride.

Several opportunities have already presented themselves because I showed up to a single interview, pressed through my fear and spoke from my passion to impact lives and bring hope.  Who knows where things will lead?  I’m just grateful to God for being able to have this opportunity. 

(Invited guests of “Open”: musician/actor, political analyst, author, filmmaker, Census Bureau reps)

(crew and guests of “Open” 11.18.09)

-Allen Paul Weaver III-

Do you want to know the STORY behind the Speedsuit Powers story? Do you want to get into the mind of author, Allen Paul Weaver III and see excellent artwork too?

The Speedsuit Powers Companion Sketchbook will be released soon.  Consider it a behind-the-scenes look at the new novel that’s starting a phenomenon among middle school and high school students.

Inside you’ll discover:

Character breakdowns

Author comments (about the inspiration behind each character)

Artwork by several artists

Q & A sections (about the writing process, issues and themes from the book and more!)

Future Plans for the Speedsuit Powers Series

You won’t want to miss the chance to get your own copy of the Speedsuit Powers Companion Sketchbook!

Stay tuned…

-The Speedsuit Powers Team-

People are really excited about the novel and some have already started asking, “Will there be a Speedsuit Powers graphic novel?” So, we figured we’d address this question now rather than later.

GENESIS…

First, we want you to know that we are all for a graphic novel!  In fact, Allen and the illustrators he’s been working with have been busy creating a number of drawings to help the world of Speedsuit Powers ‘jump off of the page.’  Those drawings will be featured here, on this site.  Right now, the only illustrations are on the front and back cover of the book.

The issue Allen had to deal with was that creating a graphic novel takes a lot of time, resources and money. And since the story burned deep within him, Allen decided to go with his priority one strength - writing.  This would allow you, the reader, to experience the story much sooner rather than later. (If we initially went with the graphic novel approach, we’d still be working on it!!!)

FULL FORCE

The novel approach allows you to experience the story with the full force of your imagination.  The character and scene descriptions allows you to ‘paint’ the picture in your head, which provides the opportunity for you to ‘own’ the story in a very personal way.  On this website, we’ll present various illustrations (by Allen and various freelance artists) which will help provide broad brush strokes for context.

FROM TEXT TO IMAGE…

So, to get the story out to you, we’ve opted for beginning this journey with the novel, Speedsuit Powers: The Powersuit - Book 1.  But… if enough readers want a graphic novel, then we will do a graphic novel.  So tell all of your friends and you will help decide what happens.

FUTURE PLANS?

We’re not stopping with the novel.  We’re also preparing to produce the Speedsuit Powers audio book - which will have music, sound effects and some great voice actors!  Then there will be the graphic novel (if readers vote for it), and there’s talk of producing the Speedsuit Powers Motion Picture for 2012.  (That’s not that far away.)  Of course there’s also Book 2, 3 and others. (Sorry, can’t tell you about them yet… :-))

So let us know your thoughts?  Graphic novel or no graphic novel?  And don’t forget to get the book on December 1, 2009!  You’ll be able to purchase it at Amazon.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!

-The Speedsuit Powers Team-