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ACTOR
Wendy Elizabeth AbrahamMädchen AmickJeannette ArndtSolveig August
DIRECTOR
Barry J. Hershey
SYNOPSICS
Casting About (2005) is a English,German,French movie. Barry J. Hershey has directed this movie. Wendy Elizabeth Abraham,Mädchen Amick,Jeannette Arndt,Solveig August are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2005. Casting About (2005) is considered one of the best Documentary movie in India and around the world.
A lyrical documentary about the experience of casting actresses for a dramatic film.
Casting About (2005) Trailers
Casting About (2005) Reviews
Great and surprisingly touching documentary
All Actors should see this as a primer for auditioning on camera. Dozens of women in multiple cities and countries audition for a film that the director originally intends may include their audition clips, so he films them in DV with better lighting and more time than your typical audition. While the original film is never made, the auditions themselves are so moving and informative that the director and producer decide to release a documentary "starring" the auditioners. There are some arty moments, including a lovely (but somewhat distracting) "hand ballet," but the bulk of the film is women talking and acting, sometimes very well, other times not so much. The director, producer and editor clearly have favorites, and they get much more screen time than others, but, for the most part, their choices are right on, and the chosen women are riveting to watch on screen. This will never be a commercial hit, but it can be an invaluable tool for people in the business. I saw it at the Sedona Film Festival in March, 2005, and one of the Actors -- one of the "favorites" -- was there viewing herself for the first time. As educational for her as for the rest of us. There are a couple of recognizable names -- Madchen Amick among them -- but most are unknown and hard-working Actors around the world, striving for their first, or next, gig.
Surprising and inventive...
I saw this when it was in New York - and was completely surprised by the experience. I was intrigued by the idea of a movie all about auditions and acting, but didn't really know what to expect. The whole film is made from audition tapes - actresses who are auditioning for parts in a movie. I wondered how this could be pieced together to make a whole film. It's not a 'behind the scenes' kind of movie - you don't see the director narrowing his choices and making final picks (like some reality show) - it's more about watching the process of the casting unfold. And it unfolds in a beautiful way. The first part of the film has a kaleidoscopic flurry of images of many actresses, catching you by surprise; then you begin to settle down and spend more time with individual people. It's amazing how much detail you can pick up from just watching them coming into this room to audition - their quirks and ticks and how they're feeling - anxious, or excited, or confident, or detached. You see a whole range of personalities and responses. At times it's wonderfully entertaining, then moving and sad. You don't know what's coming next. And you have access to all of this like a fly on the wall. There are a couple of great scenes where you get two actresses acting the same material - showing the different approaches that can be taken, with no 'right or wrong,' just the incredible variety of choices that exist. And how do you choose the ONE person to play the part? Clearly there was a huge amount of material to choose from - the number of actresses in the film is overwhelming. But you do get to know certain women really well, getting in touch with who they are as people. The whole story (although there isn't really a 'storyline') is fascinating to watch. All the pieces feel like they've been carefully chosen to fit together, like a jigsaw puzzle.
The agony and the audition
Casting About follows a group of actresses in five cities as they audition for parts in an independent film that the director, Barry Hershey, was intending to write and direct. There are three leading female roles available and these actresses pour their hearts into the auditions. Initially the auditions were to blend with the fictional narrative. Some actors signed waivers for this 'second film' that we are seeing, others were not willing to do so. But what we get is a thoroughly compelling group of attractive, convincing, and very talented professionals. They are in effect doing double duty, both performing and auditioning. But then that's the nature of the professional audition. There is none of the usual comedy associated auditioning that we often see in fiction films. This is serious business. They bring their lives and their souls to these moments, so much so that it can become uncomfortable at times. But that is the uncomfortable truth of auditions. Often men are the ones holding the audition and so there is an added element of power relationships involved. The filmmakers make the interesting choice to keep the camera only on the actors, mostly in close up and extreme close up. We examine their bodies, hands, feet, eyes, lips, skin and creep into the emotional core of the actor's 'truth'. Though an actress friend I was with found the shooting style manipulative, voyeuristic, and exploitive - isn't that the nature of film? Ultimately, it seems uncomfortably appropriate to allow us the privileged gaze (male gaze) of cinema. To step back would break the spell. The audience comes away with a pained respect for what actors must go through over and over again and often (most often) to no avail. Some of the performances are really stunning. Some bring very challenging life situations to these auditions. If you are an actor you'll squirm with recognition. For the audience you'll come away with a great respect for the dedication of the acting profession and for what often seems an invisible art.
An entertaining, touching, inspirational film about Actors trying to get a part in a movie.
(Viewed at the Midwest Independent Film Festival, Chicago, 2006) Imagine interviewing for a job. Now imagine that you are asked a myriad of questions. Add on top of that you will be asked to perform your job--whether you are a cook, a fireman, a plumber or an accountant--right there. Now imagine it being filmed and shown to audiences around the globe. "Casting About" opens such a window in the world of actor's auditions. Actresses from London, New York, Germany, Los Angeles, and Chicago came in for an audition for a movie that eventually lost its financing and has been shelved. We get to watch the audition process from introduction through prepared monologues to cold readings of the script.Each step of the way we are witness to the angst, the nerves, the revelry, and the artistry of acting. The single camera forces the viewer to really take in what the actors are experiencing. We never see director Barry Hershey or producer Lewis Wheeler. But their deft touch for performances and their ability to mine for deeper truths resonate throughout the film. What's more, we catch tantalizing glimpses of what they could have done with the original film Another positive note is that we see Hershey and Wheeler's respect and love of actors. They let us see some amazing actors doing their craft. Nothing to hide behind. No effects, no wardrobe, no set. Just one person speaking to the camera. Some of the performances make you laugh. Some make you cringe. Some leave you wondering why anyone would open themselves up to possible ridicule and criticism. And one or two special pieces confirm that despite Hollywood's desire to crank out movies and not films ..there are a few actors out there who can stir the soul and touch you deeply simply by their words and their inspiring talent as actors.
a must see!!
I saw this film on opening night in New York and I highly recommend seeing it. I read the review in the New York Times and was so intrigued. This film is great to watch even if you're not in the entertainment world. It's such a brilliant idea and it is executed beautifully. Casting About gave me a greater appreciation for the life of actors and actresses all over the world and what having their profession is really all about. I get a sense that the director really appreciates artists and values their art form. I have never seen a film like this before and it is refreshing to see people pushing the limits while they are creating, rather than conforming to make another blockbuster hit. I hope this film gets the support it deserves, and I'm looking forward to seeing more innovative work from this director in the future. This film truly is a work of art.