RE: “Mormon Battalion” casting PLEASE READ ENTIRE POSTING FOR INFORMATION!!

VIDEO AUDITIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009.

The “Mormon Battalion” project is moving forward. This is an AUDITION CALL for a few of the LEAD male roles. Listed below are descriptions of those roles. They will be casting for MEN. 

NOTE:  ALL applicants must be willing to grow their hair (beard) and/or have it cut according to production needs, from the time of casting until the end of production. All roles are PAID.  All applicants must be clearable by their current bishop as being temple-worthy.

Most of the SIDES will require a “helper”:  Someone willing to read across from you and possibly operate the camera.

The following roles should AUDITION with the SIDES for “CAPTAIN ALLEN”: (With Side 2, you may end your audition just before Brigham steps in to deliver his lines.  Your helper doesn’t need to include his lines.)

CAPTAIN JAMES ALLEN (age 45) – Military Captain.  Physically fit.  Stately.  Has a dichotomy about him: He has an understanding and softness beneath the hard military exterior.  This actor must have good horseman skills as he will be required to ride.

DR. SANDERSON (age 46) – He can do the “military thing” but can also peel-it-off.  This doctor is doing his best (and failing) with the remedies that have been given.  He has a distinctly human side and a kind bedside manner.

COLONEL COOKE (age 37) – Physically fit, muscular and stately.  West Point Graduate. Star-of-the-class.  This is the kind of man that you want to hate.  He comes across as a very military-minded, strategist.

The following roles should AUDITION with the SIDE for “WILLIAM HUNTINGTON” and “BRIGHAM YOUNG”:  (With Side 2, you may begin your audition just as Brigham steps in to deliver his lines. Your helper doesn’t need to include Capt. Allen’s lines.)

WILLIAM HUNTINGTON (age 62), BRIGHAM YOUNG (age 46); NORMAN SHARP (age 25); ORSON PRATT; WILLARD RICHARDS; and HEBER C. KIMBALL.  -- All these men are somewhat stereotypical Mormon leaders. They are hoping each one, however, will bring his own distinctive charisma and personality to his character.

The following roles should AUDITION with the SIDE for “EPHRAIM”:

EPHRAIM HANKS (age 20) -- ‘Gotta totally LOVE this guy.  The COOL, coolio of the gang.  Comic relief; attractive; great personality; can be quirky; the class clown.

EBENEZER BROWN (age 35) -- A likeable character.  Kind of “Average Joe” type.

PHILANDER COLTON (age 35) -- Rugged; comfortable in the wild; out-doorsy, Mountain Man persona.

To AUDITION, please complete a VIDEO audition which includes the following:

(1) Slate your NAME, AGENCY and the ROLE for which you are auditioning at the beginning.

(2) Please include no more than 2 takes of the side(s) you’re using to audition.

NOTE:  These sides have been chosen carefully to give you the opportunity to show your acting and interpretive skills. We recommend memorizing these and giving your BEST possible performance.  Your acting ability is EXTREMELY important, we cannot stress this enough. You will be invited to Call Backs based upon what they see.

Please also include:

(3) A completed Talent Release Form (attached with sides);

(4) A headshot or photograph of yourself (if e-mailing, “jpg” or “bmp” files are preferred) and your resume, if you have one;

(5) Your Phone Number(s) and E-mail Address;

(6) Your Ward, Stake, and Bishop’s Name.

NOTE:  All applicants must be clearable by their current bishop as being temple-worthy.

You may MAIL your DVD (or VHS) to:

            LDS Motion Picture Studio

            ATTN:  MB Casting (Please note here the ROLE for which you are auditioning.)

            300 West 2230 North

            Provo, UT 84604

Or you may E-MAIL an electronic file of your audition to AVDcasting@LDSchurch.org.  Beware!  Video files tend to be over-large for e-mailing purposes. You may need to upload your video to a “file-send” site and e-mail the link, along with your login and password to view it.

 As there will be literally HUNDREDS of auditions to process, PLEASE FOLLOW the INSTRUCTIONS in this e-mail carefully.

-          Submissions which cannot be viewed due to technical difficulties (corrupt files or scratched media, for example) will not be considered.

-          Submissions without current contact information attached will also not be considered.  (As we’d have no way to contact you anyway.)

FAQ’s:

WHEN will it shoot?

             It is anticipated this project will shoot about the last week of July and first week of August.  A schedule is still in the making.

WHERE will it shoot?

             Here in Utah, along the Wasatch Front. 

What is the PURPOSE / Where will it be used or seen?

 This project is for the San Diego Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center.  The new presentation will launch in November.  (...and it will be VERY COOL!)

Do you need any other EXTRAS or ACTORS?

 Yes.  A similar e-mail regarding another CHILD role and WOMEN’s roles has been distributed.

If I’ve already filled out a Talent Data Sheet, do I need to do it again?

 Yes, please.

 SUGGESTIONS:

 Recommended that applicants NOT wait until the last minute to submit an audition.  (What if you have trouble with the file?  What if the DVD is corrupt?  What if it gets lost in the mail?  Etc.)

 Please make sure your SOUND and LIGHTING are such that they can CLEARLY see and hear you.

 Recommended that recording your audition from about the chest, upward. It’s helpful to be close enough so they can see your expressions.

 Do NOT simply READ your monologue! They are looking for a GENUINE INTERPRETATION and CONNECTION. Be REAL!

 Recommended that you NOT add any additional information to your submission which has not been requested (ie: pictures of yourself dressed in Mormon Battalion regalia or additional audition footage or monologues that are NOT included herein).

 If you are interested in Auditioning, let us know by responding to crazeagency@sisna.com send us your:

    Name

    Role you would like to Audition for

We will send you the correct Sides/Script for the Character.

Craze Agency