Acting out

Cinematic Arts holds auditions

The Cinematic Arts Department will be hosting its third annual film casting call Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Auditions will be held across from the LaHaye Ice Center near the main “Liberty University” sign, according to James Croushorn, a graduate assistant for the Cinematic Arts Department.

According to Assistant Professor Scotty Curlee, the casting call is open to people of all ages, including children. No previous acting experience is required. He said the casting call will serve a variety of purposes.

“This is a general casting call for student thesis films, student cycle projects, and to acquire a database of talent to draw from for the feature film,” Curlee said.

The feature film, the main attraction of the casting call, has been in development for two years now. Details of the film, including its title, are being kept under wraps for the time being. Curlee said they will be announced at a future date.

According to Caleb Nelson, a senior in the Cinematic Arts Department, the crew of each year’s film consists of members of the Cinematic Arts Department’s junior class, as well as a few seniors.

“This film will be the flagship project for the cinema program and will showcase a film fully developed from within the department, unlike past projects that have been written and directed by outside talent,” Curlee said.

The department is strongly encouraging students to audition for the film, as well as to get the word out to their friends and family in the area. For those interested in acting, the casting call may help them get a foot in the door of the film industry.

According to Nelson, last year’s casting call did not receive as many auditions as the department had planned. They are hoping that this year’s casting call will yield better results.

Participants in the casting call will be required to perform a scene on camera. Nelson described the simplicity of the auditioning process from previous casting events.

“Actors would come and sign (in) at a table, pick up sides (scenes to read for the audition), and then get in line,” Nelson said. “When it’s your turn, they take your picture and then audition you. After that, you’re free to go.”

According to Curlee, the process of selecting the actors is a collaborative effort between the casting director, the film director and the producers. Participants will be notified if they have been selected for a call back or a part.

For audition updates, visit the Cinematic Arts Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Liberty-University-Cinematic-Arts-Zaki-Gordon-Center.

Weyant is a feature reporter.

Brownd is a copy editor.