"Get On Up" will film in Mississippi beginning November 4, 2013.
AB Media Publishing, LLC
Update 10-1-2013: NEW open casting call scheduled for October 5, 2013. Details below.
Imagine Entertainment in association with Jagged Films and Wyolah Films are in pre-production on the Universal Pictures James Brown biopic feature film "Get On Up", and casting continues in Los Angeles and New York for lead roles such as "Young James Brown" and others. Now casting directors have set up an open casting call seeking actors and extras for both speaking and non-speaking roles in Mississippi. All ages and types are needed, especially people who have musical skills. The film takes place from 1930s to the 1980s, so people who can portray any looks from those periods are a big plus. Shooting gets underway on November 4, 2013 in the Natchez and Jackson, Mississippi areas.
"Get On Up" is based on the incredible life story of the Godfather of Soul. The story charts a young boy’s rise from extreme poverty and violence to become one of the most influential black artists in history whose career spanned six decades. The film will give a fearless look inside the music, moves and moods of Brown, taking audiences on the journey from his impoverished childhood to his evolution into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
Starring in "Get On Up" is Hollywood Black Film Festival Jury Award winner Chadwick Boseman playing the role of James Brown. Boseman, who graduated from the British American Dramatic Academy at Oxford, is no stranger to playing iconic figures - he recently starred in the Warner Bros. Pictures feature film "42" portraying the legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson. Boseman has just completed the feature film "Draft Day" starring alongside Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner.
Mississippi native and BAFTA Award nominee Tate Taylor will direct "Get On Up" from a screenplay written by Writers Guild of America WGA Award winners Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth. Taylor last directed and wrote the Academy Award winning film "The Help". Academy Award winner Brian Grazer will produce for Imagine Entertainment, while Tate Taylor will produce under the banner of his Mississippi based Wyolah Films. Jagged Films partners Mick Jagger and Victoria Pearman will also produce. Executive producers are Imagine Entertainment's Erica Huggins and Wyolah Film's John Norris. "Get On Up" scheduled to be released on October 17, 2014.
"Get On Up" Open Casting Call Details
Who:
Actors, musicians and extras of all ethnicities and ages.
What:
Casting directors are searching for performers and extras to audition for an upcoming drama about the life of James Brown. All types of men and women, all ages from 0 - 80! The film will need to recreate a large variety of scenes from the 1930's up until the early 1990's. There are several concert scenes, both city and rural, Hollywood scenes, Military scenes, etc. They need ALL walks of life and various social settings.. Arrive in your "Sunday Best" or wearing an outfit from one of these time periods, with your hair styled to its real, natural length. Please, no wigs. If you currently shave your head, allow your hair to begin to grow before the casting call.
Also are the following special needs:
[AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSICIANS] Need trumpet, trombone, drums, and more. Ages 20 - 35.
[AFRICAN AMERICAN TWIN BOYS] 5-8 years of age.
Where:
Mississippi Department of Education
359 N West Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Click here for directions.
When:
Saturday October 5, 2013
10:00am - 1:00pm and 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Please bring a non-returnable recent color snapshot that show your current hair style and length.
If you are unable to attend the open call, you may email your current photo—along with name, contact information (phone number and email), height, weight and availability to the following:
GetOnUpExtras@gmail.com
Filming will take place in Natchez and Jackson, Mississippi beginning early November, 2013.
ALL talent including minors and foreign actors MUST be legally eligible to work in the United States.
The 2013 Los Angeles 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 the United States:
• USA Child Actor Work Permit Requirements
• USA Immigration Work Permit Information
• USA Non-Immigrant Visa Application
In addition to the following Actors Resources:
• Audition Tips
• How To Make an Audition Video
• Casting Directors List
• Extras Casting Directors List
• Talent Agents List
• General Talent Agent Information
• Acting Classes List
• Acting Classes for Young Actors
• Headshot Photographers List
• Sample Actors Resume
• Sample Beginning Actors Resume
• Sample Cover Letters
• Entertainment Industry Terminology
• Miscellaneous Resources
• Actors Unions
• PDF Users Guides
The 2013 Actors Resource Guide eBooks are available here.
Principal Actor Casting
See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit to casting directors for acting roles.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.
Los Angeles:
Rich Delia
Barden/Schnee Casting
1513 6th Street
Suite 105
Santa Monica, CA 90401
New York:
Kerry Barden
Barden/Schnee Casting
150 West 28th Street
Suite #402
New York, NY 10001
NOTE:
I highly recommend that your 8x10 color headshot and resume along with the cover letter be sent in a 9 x 12 Clear Full Face Window Envelope with the photo visible in the window.
Click Here to purchase 9 x 12 Clear Full Face Window Envelopes.
The casting directors address should be written in all capital letters on the solid side of the envelope, with the name of the project you are submitting for written directly above the casting directors name. If the role that you are submitting for is available, it should also be written above the casting directors name.
Example:
"Project Name"
"Role of _______"
CASTING DIRECTOR NAME
CASTING DIRECTOR ADDRESS
CASTING DIRECTOR CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE
Extras Casting
Mississippi:
GetOnUpExtras@gmail.com
Film Crew Members:
Mississippi:
Crew members MUST list themselves on the following crew directory to be considered:
http://ms.reel-scout.com/crew_login.aspx
Experienced film crew members and production staff located in Mississippi can email resumes to:
jamesbrownprojectresumes@gmail.com
In the subject line of your email, please indicate that it is a Crew resume and the department you are seeking to work in. For example, "Crew – Camera Department".
Production Companies:
Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.
Imagine Entertainment
9465 Wilshire Boulevard
7th Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Jagged Films
110 E 57th Street
New York NY 10019
Wyolah Films
805 Church Hill Road
Natchez, MS 39120
Universal Pictures
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
Executive Producers:
John Norris
Trish Hofmann
Producers:
Brian Grazer
Mick Jagger
Victoria Pearman
Erica Huggins
Writers:
Jez Butterworth
John-Henry Butterworth
Director:
Tate Taylor
Starring:
Chadwick Boseman - James Brown
Story:
A biopic about the legendary singer, performer and Godfather of Soul.
Join Backstage's FREE daily newsletter for casting notices, auditions, celebrity interviews, and more. Get free Casting Director and Agent mailing labels when you sign up!