November 19, 2007
Gus Van Sant Hates Us
Well, he does not care for our image, but still: same thing.
Well, we went to this last Saturday's open casting call for Gus Van Sant's latest project, Milk. (Based off of the life of former San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, etc. etc...you know the story -- well, at least you should.) It was our first-ever open casting call, in fact. We were nervous. And totally unprepared.
When we arrived on the scene, all of the other cows had a handsome headshot with them and owned bragging rights to envious bit parts on their thespionic resumes. (Impressive showboating from guys claiming "I had a scene with Will Smith's kid" and "I just got a speaking part in Saw IV" littered the Sanchez School where the call took place.) We waited in the middle school hallway until escorted in a single-file line into an auditorium to fill out paper work and have our picture taken. Wee. But the only interesting thing to note was that Gus Van Sant was there, sneakers and all! We almost got a shot of him for you all, but after we took two innocent pictures with our phone -- the stupid shutter sound on our stupid BlackBerry will not mute -- we were asked to put it away. Nicely. Sort of.
Anyway, the goal was to get a callback for a speaking role when the film starts shooting in San Francisco come January. Brimming with eagerness, we waited by the phone all night. No one called. No one. We didn't get asked to return in Sant's presence to tryout for a speaking bit because we're ugly, fat, and everyone in the world totally hates us, and that's cool. (We should have made a brooding face in our picture, not a stupid smile. Or at least brought a bottle of poppers along with us. Gah!) But we look forward to seeing what Van Sant does with the life of Mr. Milk, see who gets to play DiFi, and what Matt Damon looks like as a brunette.
Did anyone else out there get a callback? Oh yeah? You did? Guess what, we hate you. No, not really. But we'd love to hear what you had to do for the second audition.
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I am spending too much time on the Intraweb - I recognized the http://www.thesmokinggun.com/ mug shot right away!
I forced my boyfriend to grow a mustache and wear flannel to the casting call. As we got to the last table near the exit door where Gus was standing I heard his group start to mumble about my bf and as we exited they stopped to ask him what his number was. Alas, he received no call that night. I suppose getting checked out by Gus Van Sant will have to be enough.
Your look is just too current, Brock.
I always find it helpful to accidentally drop my little baggie when I hand in my headshot.
You can at least be proud that your previous acting experience wasn't with Treasure Island Media. Of course in that case, you probably would've gotten a part.
Despite the feigned excitement of the casting assistant when I handed my piece of paper over, no callback for me either.
FYI: Acting involves auditioning and auditioning and auditioning... and MAYBE (at least in San Francisco), you may get to work as a film extra. If you are selected as an extra, it is long hours (average 12 to 14 hours), repetitive work, often freezing, and, occasionally, inspiring if you're able to stand out and get some direction from the production assistant. BUT the reality is you probably won't be seen or noticed when the film is completed. I've worked on films for years and, rarely, do I recognize myself in a film.
"So you were in the White night riots, shopped in the original camera shop and have some of your old flannel lumberjack clone shirts?
Sorry, we're looking for more of a hollywood approach- you know, make it more real for the audience..."
How they were going to judge anyone's acting ability from a static headshot I do not know.
Duh- caus Gus is just like any other gay--he only cares what you look like.
Sorry they didn't pick you, Brock :( but it is true. Extra work is mostly grueling, and mostly not very glamorous... Plus the food, while usually plentiful, sucks.
But just in case anyone's still pining away for their 15 nanoseconds of fame, after Thanksgiving ... (or already)...
...it's starting to feel a lot like Christmas ...
Beau Bonneau Casting is seeking Non Union extras for Four Christmases, a comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon. Extras are needed for scenes shooting in San Francisco December 5, and 11-13. Four Christmases is a modern tale about a couple struggling to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas. Various background roles include: Pedestrians, Holiday Travelers, and Extras with modern-day cars. Please Note: No white or cherry-red cars can be used. Large numbers of 18-40 year old extras and late '90s - '07 model vehicles needed 12/11-12/13; possible 3-day shoot for some roles.
IMPORTANT: Movie shoots are long, lasting 12 hours or more. We never know the start time or exact location until the day/evening before! Saying you're available means without interruption, from Very Early Morning to Late-Night/Early A.M. hours; no kidding. If selected, the Non Union extra rate is $73.12 for 8 hours, with overtime applied after 8 hours. This is a standard film extra rate based on the minimum wage in San Francisco ($9.14/hr), and is set by production not Beau Bonneau Casting. If selected with car, you will receive an additional payment of $25, for vehicle allowance. *For proof of citizenship, all extras must have either a current passport or 2 pieces of ID: a valid photo ID or Drivers License with either a Social Security Card or Original Birth Certificate to bring to set or you cannot be employed by production.
How to Submit:
* If you are registered with Casting Networks, you must submit online via Direct Cast Extras Roles on the site at www.sfcasting.com. Make sure to update your sizes, some roles are uniformed. Online support: If you have forgotten your www.sfcasting.com login info or have difficulty submitting, call Casting Networks at (415) 896-2228 or email sftalentsupport@castingnetworks.com for tech assistance.
* If you are not yet registered on www.sfcasting.com, are between 18 - 40 years old and available all day Tues 12/11, Wed 12/12, and/or Thurs 12/13, you can be considered for extra work on this project by dropping off 2 Recent color digital photos (close up and full standing view) with Full Name, Height, Weight, Clothing Sizes, Phone Numbers, Email & Availability noted on the back of each photo. Also include Car Year, Color, Make & Model if you have a car/truck for consideration. Submissions can be mailed in, dropped off or walked in M-F 10am - 5pm to Beau Bonneau Casting, 84 1st Street, S.F., CA 94105, Attn: Four Christmases. If you miss our office hours, we have a mail slot in our door.
Please note: Photos will not be returned. Casting Networks should be contacted for online help only; they cannot accept your availability for our project. Phone calls to the Beau Bonneau Casting office will not be accepted, we are very busy. BBC staff will contact you if selected.
Thanks,
Beau Bonneau Casting
www.beaubonneaucasting.com
While it would have been cool to be in the Milk film, anyone who wants to pay me minimum wage to be in some Vince Vaughn crapedy can go f*ck themselves.
Hilarious, you people. I had a totally different and excellent experience. Gus is an amazing person, ESPECIALLY compared to other directors in Hollywood who can be really downright nasty. And no director has had even a snippet of the bad attitudes I have seen by actors!
http://www.screenwritingforhollywood.com/celebrities/moral-milking-gus-van-sant-and-sean-penn