Talent search underway for Star Wars characters 'Mara' and 'Caro'

Casting directors are now setting up auditions for lead and supporting roles in "Star Wars: Episode IX." The film is using the working title "Black Diamond." There is currently a talent search underway for an actress between 40-50 years of age to play a character named "Mara," and also an ethnically diverse actress between 18-26 years of age to play a character named "Caro." Caro has a captivating naturalness, is a leader and problem solver, and also sports a sense of humor along with a strong will.

Numerous additional roles are also being cast, both males and females. Filming will be taking place beginning in July, 2018 at the Pinewood Studios in London, England and surrounding areas. Talent can be considered from all areas from video auditions and live Skype readings. Anyone interested in being considered for these new roles in "Star Wars: Episode IX" can sign up to be submitted, details are posted at the following - www.moviecastingcall.org/star-wars-episode-ix-auditions/.

J.J. Abrams will direct, and also produce along with eight-time Academy Award nominee Kathleen Kennedy and Michelle Rejwan. Film Independent Spirit Award nominee Callum Greene is executive producer. 1st AD is BAFTA Awards winner Tommy Gormley. Academy Award nominee John Schwartzman is DP. "Star Wars: Episode IX" will hit theaters on Dec 20, 2019 with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures handling domestic and international distribution.

"Solo: A Star Wars Story" is set to begin filming in January, 2018. Lucasfilm will also start production on Obi-Wan Kenobi Star Wars spinoff in January, 2019. This will be Star Wars Anthology movie based upon the venerable Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, with the studio reportedly tapping Stephen Daldry ("Billy Elliot," "The Hours") to develop the project with a view to directing.

Star Wars: Episode IX Casting Calls

Submission Information for Speaking Roles

Click here for details on signing up to be submitted to casting directors for Star Wars: Episode IX.

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Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions (see above).

Star Wars: Episode IX Production Office
PLT Productions (UK) LTD
Pinewood Studios
Main Admin Building
Pinewood Road
Iver Heath, Bucks SLO ONH
United Kingdom

Carbonado Industries (UK) Ltd
3 Queen Caroline Street
Hammersmith, London
United Kingdom, W6 9PE

Lucasfilm, LTD
1110 Gorgas Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94129

The Walt Disney Studios
3 Queen Caroline Street
London W6 9PE
United Kingdom

Executive Producer:

Callum Greene

Producers:

J.J. Abrams
Kathleen Kennedy
Michelle Rejwan

Production Manager:

D.J. Carson

Writers:

J.J. Abrams
Jack Thorne

Director:

J.J. Abrams

Cinematographer:

John Schwartzman

Starring:

Daisy Ridley - Rey
Mark Hamill - Luke Skywalker
Andy Serkis - Supreme Leader Snoke
John Boyega - Finn
Oscar Isaac - Poe Dameron
Lupita Nyong'o - Maz Kanata

Story:

The upcoming ninth film in the Star Wars saga and the final film in the sequel trilogy.

Backstage now offering free casting director and talent agency submission labels

Are you serious about your acting career? Do you send postcards to casting directors to announce performances or to invite them to plays? Are you signed with a reputable talent agency? The majority of lead roles in films and starring roles on television shows are cast through talent agents. I can provide you with a completely free set of casting director and talent agent mailing labels, along with a free subscription to Backstage Daily. The labels have current addresses for casting directors and talent agencies, and are updated constantly. Backstage Daily lists casting calls, auditions information, and talent searches for feature films and television series, for all areas. If there is one good piece of advice I can give to actors, it is to take advantage of this opportunity. You can get the free mailing labels and free subscription exclusively by signing up with the following link - http://goo.gl/nX8qDn

If you have any questions, you can contact me at my Verified Facebook Profile - https://www.facebook.com/alanbaltes

You can also follow me at my Verified Twitter Page - https://twitter.com/alanbaltes

Still no 'Best Casting By' award at the Academy Awards

Why don't casting directors have a category for "Best Casting By" at the Academy Awards? To comprehend this issue, you have to have a deep understanding of how the casting process works. Casting directors are contracted by production companies and/or studios to cast specific projects. The casting directors (and their associate casting directors and assistants) filter through massive amounts of submissions for specific roles, mainly through talent agents. The casting directors then audition actors for the specific roles being cast. They then choose what actors that they personally deem "right for the role", at their discretion, and they subsequently advance those actors to a "call back", to audition for the director, writer(s), producers, and for major roles.. the studio executives. Eventually, the right actor for the role is hired. The actor is not hired directly by the casting director, but rather the director/production company/studio. Other than for small speaking roles on TV series, the casting director does not have the ability to hire actors, they simply select a certain group of actors to advance in the casting process. I am not talking about extras. Extras are cast directly by Extras Casting Directors/Companies. For there to be an Academy Award category for principal actor casting directors, the voting members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences would have to be able to see all of the hundreds (and even thousands) of actor's auditions for each role by the "Best Casting By" nominee, to be able to judge whether or not each casting director nominee did the best job. And just to narrow down the casting nominees, there would have to be a massive amount of that material available to the Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences nominating committee. That is a logistical impossibility. Directors, producers, writers, and studio executives have the final say in who is cast in specific roles, not casting directors. The best casting directors do a great job, and they have a great collaboration with those who do hire the actors, however there is no definitive way to establish a criteria for an Academy Award category for "Best Casting By". I can elaborate much more about the casting process, however that would require much more than I can post here, it would be a complete eBook. I do want to elaborate about why casting directors are never credited in films as a Casting "Director", but rather credited as "Casting By". The Directors Guild of America does not allow, by contract, any other persons on a film being credited with the word "Director", unless they are actually a "director" i.e. 1st AD (First Assistant Director, etc). That includes the Cinematographer (widely called "DP" or "Director of Photography" on the set). Casting directors are some of the hardest working people in the entertainment industry, but there you go, that is why there is no Oscar Award category for "Best Casting By".

2017 Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook is now available!

The brand new 2017 Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook is now available! This is the 22nd location in the series, and the eBook contains the most up-to-date, accurate, and comprehensive resources available for actors in Ontario, Canada. There is now a very large amount of major studio feature films and network television series in production in Toronto. The Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook includes the following information and documents for adults, minors, and foreign talent who would like to work as an actor or extra on film and television productions in Toronto, Ontario and in Canada:

• Toronto Casting Directors
• Toronto Extras Casting Directors
• Toronto Talent Agents
• Toronto Acting Schools and Coaches
• Toronto Headshot Photographers
• General Talent Agent Information
• Miscellaneous Toronto Actor Resources
• Audition Tips
• How to make an Audition Video
• Sample Actors Resume
• Sample Beginning Actors Resume
• Sample Cover Letter Casting Directors
• Sample Cover Letter Talent Agents
• Glossary of Entertainment Industry Terms
• Canadian Work Permit Overview
• Applying for a Work Permit outside Canada
• Canada Work Permit Information for Foreigners
• Canadian Document Checklist for a Work Permit
• Temporary Canadian Foreign Worker Program
• Canadian Application for Temporary Resident VISA
• Canadian Visa Photo Specifications
• Information for Parents of Child Performers
• Canadian Family Information Form
• Canadian Use of a Representative Form
• Guide To Canadian Child Labor Laws

You can now order your copy of the 2017 Toronto Actors Resource Guide eBook for $19.95 through Amazon Payments at the following - http://www.actorsresourceguides.com/toronto-actors-resource-guide-ebook.html

You can also now order using Square Cash (https://cash.me). My email address to send your payment through Square Cash is alan.baltes@gmail.com and my Square Cash username is $AlanBaltes. Simply enter "TORONTO" and your EMAIL ADDRESS in the "FOR" box when sending the $19.95 payment. I can also send a $19.95 payment request if you give me your email address or cell phone number. Contact me at alan.baltes@gmail.com if you would prefer a payment request with a link that you can use to pay.

Once payment is received, your eBook will be emailed to you.

Child Background Acting Information - "Being an Extra"

I personally feel that if a person does not have experience, doing extra work is a fantastic way to get used to being on a film or TV set. It gives you an idea of how things work and allows you to become comfortable on a set without risking "burning bridges" if you get nervous and a little stage fright. I myself did extra work in the beginning of my career and it helped me tremendously. I had terrible stage fright, but I became very comfortable after doing background work for a while. So the answer is yes, doing extra work will help you. It doesn't pay a whole lot, but the experience you get is valuable.

Acting is like any other job, the more training and experience a person has, the better chance of getting the job. But at the same time, we all have to start somewhere!

The following three companies cast the vast majority of child extras in the entertainment industry:

Kids Background
207 S. Flower St
Burbank, CA 91502.
www.kidsmanagement.com
(661) 964-0131

Studio Kids Management
Send Inquiries To Mailing Address
15068 Rosecrans Avenue #198, La Mirada, CA 90638
Office (562) 902-9838 / Fax (562) 902-0498

Screen Children's Casting
4000 W Riverside Dr
Burbank, California, 91505
(818) 846-4300

To get your child started doing extra work, you will need the following:

Work Permit
Coogan account
Social Security Card
Cell Phone (with text messaging) so you can receive your call time and location.

Background Acting Guidelines

* Buy a Thomas Brothers Map Book. The casting people will give you these map coordinates when giving you your call time and location.

* Bring a small folding chair, something to read, sunscreen, a couple of light snacks, a notepad, and two pens.

* Follow the wardrobe instructions and requirements, as you will be checked by the wardrobe department when you arrive on the set. Bring an extra jacket (even if it’s summertime). It's always cold on a sound stage, where you might be working. Ladies, take a pair of flats to wear when not on the set (your feet will thank you).

* ALWAYS show up at least 1/2 hour early. NEVER be late. Allow plenty of time for traffic, etc.

* When arriving at the location, immediately check in with the AD (assistant director), or whoever you were told to check in with. Fill in your name and address on the payment voucher. Make sure to fill in the hours worked and have the AD sign it at the end of the day.

* Never bring cameras or pets unless asked to do so. Also do not bring friends.

* NEVER take photos on the set with your cell phone. If caught, you will be fired and will most likely never work for that casting director again.

* NEVER ask for autographs or bother the actors. This is a professional work environment and not an appearance.

* Network with other background actors. If you obtain one good tip or referral, it could lead to a lot more background acting jobs. More work gives you more opportunities to get the necessary vouchers (three) to qualify to join SAG (Screen Actors Guild). Being a member of SAG gives you benefits you would not have as a non-union extra, e.g. double your pay and medical, dental and vision benefits.

* Always remain alert and ready to go to the set when asked. Do not leave the set unless you are given specific permission from the AD. Do not listen to headphones, as you will not be able to hear the AD when calling you to the set.

* ALWAYS be prepared to stay and work long hours (unless you are a minor, there are child labor laws which prevent minors from working too many hours).

* Pay attention when you are on the set being given your "marks" and "blocking". "Marks" are the spots where you position yourself on the set during filming. "Blocking" is the exact movements you will be making so as to remain in or out of the view of the camera.

* And ALWAYS remain quiet when in a sound stage, especially when filming. "Quiet On The Set" means "QUIET ON THE SET"! The microphones can pick up even the slightest whisper. Also, when the crew is setting up for shots, they need to be focused and hear each other. It can be loud enough for themselves, let alone the chatter of extras on top of it. So do not make noise or talk loudly in between filming.

* NEVER talk badly about anyone on the set, including the actors REGARDLESS of how you may feel about someone. Use tact when speaking about others. It is extremely poor character when speaking badly or disrespectful of or to others. If you hear someone else talking badly, ignore it. If someone speaks badly to or about you, just turn your cheek and do not return the bad character behavior, as the AD may end up only hearing YOU speak badly. Take this advice to heart if you wish to go far in the entertainment industry.

* When being fed lunch or dinner, ALWAYS let the cast and crew members get their food first. This is not because extras are less important, as many people who work on a film set may treat you. This is because the cast and crew need to get back to work as soon as possible, where the extras usually have by far the most "down time".

* And most importantly, HAVE FUN! There are huge egos on a film set. I mean gigantic monster stuck-up HUGE egos, and I'm not talking about just the actors! Take those people with a grain of salt... look at them as kind of like a cartoon character, then you can just smile at them. After all, isn't it pretty ridiculous to have a giant ego anyways? There are many people who will brag and brag about what they have done and what they are doing. There are long periods of standing and waiting. But hey, you are working on a movie or television set! How fun is that!! And you are learning about what happens on a set, becoming more and more comfortable in front of a camera. So enjoy the experience, as it can be VERY exciting.

* If you take my above advice to heart and give background acting your best shot, you'll enjoy it, make money at it and continue to work. And what's more fun than being with people, in the middle of the action and, later, seeing yourself on the silver screen?