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.’

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-

BRAND NEW YEAR

It’s 2o11: a brand new year filled with brand new opportunities. This should be your year to do great things! Whether you are a child, teenager or an adult - this is your year to grow, to develop your gifts and talents and to try new things… like writing your own book!

2010 BIG QUESTIONS

2010 was great for Speedsuit Powers. We had several book signings and are building some momentum as we’ve begun to make an impact on the lives of youth and adults as word spreads across the country! We’ve also been getting great feedback from readers! The two most asked questions of 201o were 1. When does Book 2 come out?  2. Will there be a movie for Book 1? So, to answer your questions…

1.  I’m working hard on Book 2! Hopefully, it will be ready by the end of 2011.

2. I have decided to move forward with preparing to produce Speedsuit Powers as an independent film. We’re finishing up the screenplay (which is an adaptation of the novel), working on storyboard illustrations, and a ton of other things! And as we get closer to production, we’ll be able to provide more updates!

DOING NEW THINGS?

You know, doing new things can be scary. You’ve never done it before. You’re not sure how things will turn out. But, that’s a part of this adventure called life! It’s also a theme in Speedsuit Powers: we all have to make a decision about the kind of life we want to live.  As you continue your journey through 2011, try to face your fears and move forward in new areas. Grow! Develop! Impact! Imagine the possibilities!

What do you want to accomplish in 2011?

-Allen Paul Weaver III-

AN UNEXPECTED CALL

It was a pleasant surprise when my publisher, Iuniverse, contacted me and said they wanted to do an interview about my book, Speedsuit Powers. It turns out they noticed sales for my teen-fiction novel have been going well and they wanted me to share my experiences - as a way of providing encouragement for new and aspiring authors.  This was the first time that the publisher has offered me this opportunity, so needless to say I was excited and humbled.  You can read their writeup below.

HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE

But before you do that I would like to ask you to help make Speedsuit Powers a growing phenomenon. If you don’t already know, bullying is a growing epidemic in America. In 2010 alone, there have been several tragic accounts in the media where school bullying has resulted in suicide.  Unfortunately people often wait until after a tragedy happens before they act. But we need better preventive measures to help those being bullied as well as those who bully.

This novel follows Curtis Powers, a new kid at a new school who’s dealing with some serious drama - namely the school bully, Treyshawn Jinkins.  The story deals with bullying, conflict resolution, mentoring, influence, faith, dreams & purpose, handling family tragedy and several other issues.  Readers agree that Speedsuit Powers is a “must read” and that it has the potential to initiate change and transformation in the lives of children, teens and adults.

TAKE ACTION!

If you haven’t read the book yet - please purchase a copy today and do so.  If you have already read the book - please tell everyone you know (especially parents and leaders of young people) that they  should experience the story. You can also purchase copies of Speedsuit Powers for young people who need to be inspired, motivated and educated towards significance.  Let’s put Speedsuit Powers on the Bestsellers List - not just because I need to support my wife and our firstborn on the way in October (smile), but also because this book is about making a positive impact in young peoples’ lives.

Speedsuit Powers is available on Amazon & for the Kindle, Barnes and Noble and Iuniverse Publishing.

Don’t forget that October is National Bully Prevention and Awareness month!

Here’s the Iuniverse interview.  Enjoy!