Blog Stage - Acting in Film, TV, Theatre - Backstage

Robert Andersen's 'Asbury Park' Wins Accolades

On BU Today, Boston University's online news site, writer Robin Berghaus recently interviewed up-and-coming filmmaker Robert Andersen. Andersen's graduate thesis student film, "Asbury Park," won the best short film prize in the Boston International Film Festival and garnered first place at the Redstone West fest, among other accolades.

Andersen notes that he used Back Stage to find talent, and discusses his casting process and methods of working with actors:

Bid for a Walk-On Role in HBO's 'True Blood'

Ever wonder what it would be like to work alongside the stars of the most popular show on HBO, True Blood? Well, here is your chance. An online charity auction for a walk-on role on the hit series is being hosted by CharityBuzz.com; proceeds benefit GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network).

Bid for your chance at a non-speaking featured "extra" role on an upcoming episode, and even more exciting, hang out on the Los Angeles set with the likes of Stephen Moyer, Anna Paquin, and Alexander Skarsgard. Bidding is currently at $3,750, so you only need about $4,000 to enter! (No problem for a working actor, right?)

Entertainment Industry Opportunities - 5/28/10

Every week Back Stage posts hundreds of casting notices and entertainment-industry opportunities in the BackStage.com Casting/Jobs Database. Check out the following sampling of over 40 new notices -- film festivals calling for entries, staff/tech/crew jobs, casting workshops, and more:

1. Macy's, CBS and The Tony Awards: MACY'S 'TICKET TO THE TONYS': Enter the "Macy's Ticket to the Tony's," a nationwide online contest that offers fans the opportunity to walk the red carpet, attend and be featured o... More

2. Di Trevis: SHAKESPEARE WORKSHOP WITH DI TREVIS: Di Trevis, a British theater director whose television acting credits include Sensitive Skin, Nova, and E=mc2, is offering a Shakespeare workshop. She has also worked at the Royal Sha... More

3. The Juilliard School: JUILLIARD, TECH DIR.: Seeking—Technical Director: to assign and manage staff responsibilities and schedules for the scene shop and performance sp... More

4. Official Best of Fest Awards: OFFICIAL BEST OF FEST AWARDS (Seattle, WA): Seeking film submissions. Producers state: "We identify the top independent films made around the world every year as defined by audiences, reviewers, bloggers, and i... More

Emma Roberts Joins 'Scream 4' Cast

Emma Roberts has been named the new leading lady of the Scream horror film franchise, in the upcoming Scream 4. After a deal with actress Ashley Greene (Twilight) could not be finalized, Roberts moved in for the part, EW.com reports. Roberts is will play Jill, one of the new main characters in the film. She will be joining experienced Scream cast members Courtney Cox, David Arquette, and Neve Campbell. Hayden Panetierre and Rory Culkin will also co-star.

Roberts told EW that she is very excited to be a part of one of the most popular -- and profitable -- horror movie franchises ever: “It’s the perfect opportunity for me to do something completely different than I’ve ever done before.” The young actress has starred in her own Nickelodeon show, Unfabulous, as well as in the films Nancy Drew and Hotel For Dogs; she was also seen in the romantic comedy Valentine’s Day.

Now Casting: Two Paramount Feature Films

Paramount Pictures is accepting submissions from actors across the U.S. for two new movies:

"Footloose" Auditions: Paramount Pictures is casting the feature film remake of Footloose, starring Julianne Hough. The film is set in the South in present day. Craig Brewer, writer-dir. Shooting Summer 2010. Seeking—Steve: male, 18+ to play a high-school senior, must have natural rhythm and be comfortable dancing, does not have to be a trained dancer but must be a quick learner. Submission deadline: June 9. Click here to view the full casting notice.

Untitled Paramount Feature Film Casting Call: Paramount Pictures is casting a new untitled feature film. Shoot dates and location TBA. Seeking—Josh: male, 13-14, cute, but could be on the scrawny side, definitely not the school jock, lovable, empathetic, smart, interesting, must have a great sense of humor, should have a Midwestern feel, LEAD; Collin: male, 13-14, slightly (or more than slightly) overweight, confident, driven, optimistic, a natural leader, must have a great sense of humor, should have a Midwestern feel, LEAD; Natalie: female, 13-14, a natural beauty, stunning, but not the "cheerleader" type, strong and confident, but has an underlying sadness, should have a Midwestern feel, LEAD. Note: No previous acting experience is necessary, but must have great energy and a wonderful sense of humor and thoughtfulness. Submission deadline: June 7. Click here to view the full casting notice.

Youngest Jonas Brother Making West End Debut in 'Les Miserables'

After millions of albums sold and a very successful concert tour, the Jonas Brothers will be losing their youngest member for a a few weeks. Beginning June 21, Nick Jonas will be returning to his acting roots when he takes over the role of Marius for a three-week run in the West End production of Les Misèrables, according to Playbill.com.

Prior to his career as one of the Jonas Brothers, Nick Jonas was a child actor who appeared as the boyGavroche during the last months of Les Misèrables’ Broadway run. According to the Daily Mail, Nick, now 17, will also appear in the show’s 25th anniversary in London.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh pushed for Jonas to return to the show as Marius, and after discussions between Mackintosh, Nick Jonas, and Jonas’ father, the three agreed to put the young star back on the stage. Jonas even left his two brothers on the Jonas Brothers concert tour in order to join the play, and “has bent over backwards to fit it all into his schedule,” Mackintosh told the Daily Mail.

R.I.P. Gary Coleman

Another part of my childhood has slipped away--Gary Coleman, who I grew up watching on "Diff'rent Strokes," passed away today after suffering a brain hemorrhage earlier in the week. He was only 42.

Curious to see how the Broadway hit "Avenue Q," which features Coleman as a character, will handle this.

--Jenelle Riley

James McAvoy Enrolls in 'X-Men: First Class'

X-Men: First Class, the upcoming X-Men movie prequel from Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn, will star James McAvoy as Professor Xavier, according to THR's Heat Vision blog. McAvoy will play a young (and un-paralyzed) Charles Xavier. However, it is unclear as to whether he will be sporting the sleek bald look that is famous to Professor X’s character. McAvoy is a rising young actor in Hollywood, who recently starred in the films Wanted and Atonement after his breakout role in The Last King of Scotland. The new X-Men film has an estimated release date scheduled for June 3, 2011.

According to Fox Studios, X-Men: First Class will “chart the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Eric Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time.” However, as the two young friends developed their amazing abilities, “a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-Men.” The film promises an interesting portrayal of the events that lead to the events in the X-Men film franchise. The actor who will co-star as Eric Lensherr has yet to be named.

SNL's Jason Sudeikis Has 'Horrible Bosses'

THR's Jay A. Fernandez reports that Jason Sudeikis is in final negotiations to star in Horrible Bosses, rounding out an impressive cast that already includes Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell. The comedy will be third film that SNL funny man Sudeikis has starred in for New Line Cinemas: he and Owen Wilson recently wrapped Hall Pass, and the romantic comedy Going the Distance opens this August.

The film is about three friends (Sudeikis, Jason Bateman, and Charlie Day) on a quest to murder their evil bosses (Aniston and Farrell). Jamie Foxx also stars as a scam artist who advises the three in their murderous deeds. The film is schedule for a July 2011 release.

Citizen Stock: Casting All Types for Stock Photos

Citizen Stock, a New York-based "source of fresh, new stock photography images featuring real people,"  just launched CitizenStock.com.

Citizen Stock co-founder David Katzenstein tells me that a "large percentage of the talent currently on the site" came from Back Stage, so check out their extensive database of photos to see some nice pics of Back Stage readers. Katzenstein also says, "This is an ongoing project, so we need an ongoing stream of talent to grow the library."

So if you're interested in getting some professional shots of yourself for your portfolio, you might want to apply for a Citizen Stock photography session. Registration is free; no fees are required for the photo sessions. Deferred pay. You can always find Citizen Stock's newest casting notices available on BackStage.com by visiting http://tinyurl.com/CitizenStock. More info is also available at CitizenPeople.com.