Aloha Casting…

I arrived on Oahu last week and hit the ground running. Casting on location is always a challenge. First of all, unlike Chicago, Baltimore, New York City or London, I have never been to Kailua, HI and so I didn’t have any idea of what I was getting into with available talent, local idiosyncrasies and the way things work here. I assumed that things would take a little more time and it would take me a few days to get myself organized. I was right about that!

At baggage claim, I was greeted by one of our P.A’s; he picked me up and took me to the car rental company, where I am given my Toyota Yaris. I did beg for the Jeep, but that was $400 more per month and since production was paying for the car, I got acquainted with my new ride. Let’s just say everything is MANUAL on the Yaris except the transmission. It gets great gas mileage, but sadly the “tire pressure” light and “maintenance required” light came on two days ago and I had to return the car. The nice man at the car rental company upgraded me, no, not to the Jeep, which I did beg for, but a Toyota Carola. This car has automatic locks and windows and a Panic button on the key ring – just in case.

So, I arrive at the Production office and am greeted with a big hug from all and basically told “get to work!” which is why I am here. And so, I did. The great thing about casting a film on a location with very few productions going on is that most actors are aware that there is a production coming and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of emails I was getting from actors requesting information. I cast five roles in Los Angeles and there are about 30 roles to cast in Hawaii. The Director has written the script with some of his friends in mind to play some of the roles. His friends have never acted before and while I am totally open to the idea, I also want to audition actors who are here (who are SAG) who may also fit the bill and give the Director options. Although, I know where his heart lies creatively (this is a local story) and he will probably go for the people he wants that he had in mind when he wrote the script, it is my job to find the best actor for the role. I won’t put up too much of a fight about it. It is his baby after all and I am here to give him options. I don’t dictate. Unless I think there is a clear error in casting then I let the Director or Producer know, but ultimately it is not my decision.

Friday was more of the same. Figuring out how and who to reach out to find actors. There are two main agencies on Oahu, one manager and a few modeling agencies and a sprinkle of agents who are trying to start a talent division. There are 600 SAG actors in Hawaii. I have an assistant who has cast on Oahu before and she gave me the heads-up on who is who and how things work here. Firstly, no one submits on Breakdown Services. I put the breakdown out anyway, as you never know who is reading it. I emailed the breakdown to all of the talent reps, put a notice on Craig’s List, and found some local acting coaches and acting websites where I was able to get the word out and get good advice on casting here. So far everyone has been helpful and the one thing about actors is that they will find you, even if their agent doesn’t think of them for the film, they will figure out how to find you. The UPM also knows a lot of local actors and has been a great source of information.

By yesterday, I had had three casting sessions and seen about 50 actors. I have gone to one high school and I have appointments with drama teachers around the island to find some of the younger actors I am looking for. Sadly, in the public schools budgets have been cut and music/drama programs seem to be the first to go. I have found the local theater company that specializes in Hawaiian actors (non-white) and as I have a lot of roles for Pacific Islanders, I am hoping to also find actors there.

The only roadblock I have experienced, is one of the agents here has not returned my phone calls and she has many of the actors I am looking for. I have seen many of her clients, because as I mentioned they find me. Apparently she was confused as to why I didn’t just send her the breakdown and not to everyone I can think of…Anyway, be that as it may, and I am sure she will get over it, I am here to hire actors and make the Directors vision a reality.

Next up, street casting and finding background/extras. Also I am looking for pregnant 17-21 year olds! My assistant is in charge of that but I am helping her out while I am here for the next few weeks to make sure it is going smoothly. A Gynecologist did call me yesterday afternoon to tell me she knew a girl who would be interested in being in the film. This job makes me laugh sometimes…

The Producer wants me to workshop with some of the less experienced actors (friends of the director) who may need a few pointers on acting. So, I have some time scheduled over the next few weeks to talk about acting and introduce the craft and talk about what they should expect when they get on set.

All in all, the hardest part about this job is being away from home. My partner adopted a female Golden 2-year old this week. A car hit her, just as Austin was, and the adoption agency was desperate to place her with us. How could he say no? Anyway, Zsu Zsu (I call her Zoo, even though I have not met her yet and Steve wants to re-name her) is now assimilating while I am away from home. Don’t get too used to my side of the bed! Off to the beach, it is Saturday after all…Aloha!

Aloha! Almost…

It’s Tuesday. I was supposed to be in Hawaii today, but my producer likes to buy tickets last minute and then decides the tickets are too expensive so I should come on Thursday. This happens a lot with this Producer. Which was fine with me because I knew as soon as the ticket was issued I would be able to upgrade to First for little money or points, which I did do, so now I get to fly First, which to be honest makes me happy. In the meantime I have not been told where I am staying when I get there, but I don’t really care, I have decided to be Zen about the things that I usually get frustrated, irritated and upset about…I’ll let you know how that goes for me!

In the meantime, I have had time to close the deal points on some of the cast in L.A, create the deal memo template for approval and start making contact with actors based in Hawaii. I am really happy with the actors we made offers to, I am hoping that everyone does it, because even though they may not be names, it is potentially, a fantastic acting piece and will show off the talent in a way that they have not been seen before. The deals for the actors are straightforward, Modified-Low budget scale, favored nations on all deal points. It is what it is and what it is, a job, in Hawaii. Life sucks.

On the dog front: The doggy adoption agency came to visit us yesterday to assess our home. We put the word out that we want another dog. The caseworker came with her 2 year-old Golden, Peanut, to check out the house. As soon as Peanut walked in, I cried like a big girl. I am suppressing my emotions about Austin’s passing. I need to go to an African grief ritual and purge myself, or I could make that real tomato Bloody Mary that was described in this months ‘Departure Magazine,’ expertly crafted by Chinese bartenders in Beijing. Why do I even question myself?

Back to work tomorrow to clean up the office, pack things away and ship what I need to Hawaii.

“Say Goodbye to Love” (yes I like ‘The Carpenters’)…

What a week I have had! I was out of town from Friday to Tuesday in Houston seeing my niece graduate from High School (gulp) and my nephew’s birthday. Before leaving, I had to set up auditions for the director of ONE KINE DAY who was flying in from Hawaii with the actor who is playing the lead in the film. I always say this job is mobile and I could do it from anywhere and now was the time to prove it. The good news is that you really can be mobile and set up auditions on the phone, I don’t really need to be in the office to do that. However I do need to be in the office when auditions happen (obviously). With all of the family stuff going on, setting up auditions, talking to agents/manager via phone or on-line was sorted out in a timely manner and with the help of my new office mate, casting director Monika Mikkelsen – who substituted for me at the Tuesday casting session, sessions went smoothly and I am happy to say offers should be out today to our mainland based cast.
Tuesday, I fly to Honolulu and finish casting the film. I am going to be there for 3-4 weeks as I am looking for actors who are authentic to Hawaii. This will mean not only auditioning actors in Hawaii who are really actors, but also finding people who may have never acted in a film and casting them. For me, this is an amazing opportunity to do what I love: CAST A FILM. It is the nut and bolts of casting to me, to weave together a cast out of thin air, or at least that is how it feels to me right now.
I love the script, I like the people I am working with and the setting is pretty cool. I will miss my home, I’m not really good at being away from my creature comforts and husband, but as I said this is an amazing opportunity for me. So, if you know anyone in Hawaii who is an actor or wants to be one, have him or her email me!
On a sad note, my best friend, my loyal companion, my cherished baby boy, my dog, Austin, passed away Wednesday evening. I could probably write a book on why I loved him so much, but anyone who loves dogs, will know what I am feeling right now. There is a void in my life and by my bedside. We rescued Austin in 2003 when he was hit by a car. He came into our home with so much joy and love and he left with peace. I could see how much he loved us – I think that is what I will miss the most – his unconditional love that only a dog can bring.
All of this just reminds me of how fragile life really is and to not be so serious about everything. I think in this business I am in, I have worked with stressed out people/bosses/actors who have, well let me just say for lack of a better term, “issues,” and need an “Austin” in their life to chill them out. Austin did that for me. In fact, I have never felt so at ease as I have in my life as in the moment I am in now. A perfect moment for me to go to Hawaii, be open, be free to find a cast in an environment totally foreign to me and put together something amazing and inspired. At least that is what I hope to do; Austin would want me to do that…

Austin L. Flynn (a.k.a ‘His Royal Fluffiness’ ‘Mr. Magoo,’ ‘Snoopy’)