The London-based casting company Des Hamilton has an impressive resume that includes films such as the Ryan Gosling vehicle Only God Forgives and movies by first-rate directors such as Nicolas Winding Refn, Lars Von Trier and Lynne Ramsay. The company also just cast War Machine, the new Brad Pitt film for Netflix.
Two weeks ago, the company sent rep Lucy Amos to Cleveland to cast a local, untrained white male who’s about 15 years old for a new unnamed project (the film is based on a true story about a teenager) that will shoot in Cleveland and Detroit next year.
“I’ve been to sporting events [to scout talent], and it’s been amazing because Cleveland has such great teams,” Amos says from the lobby of the Residence Inn downtown where an open call takes place from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday. “If we see someone who fits the brief, we approach their parents and ask them if they’d like to come to our open call. All our research is leading up to the open call. The director is passionate about getting a non-actor and we’re looking for a kid who is kind of this character and we don’t have to mold him into the character. The company specializes in this type of thing.”
Company head Des Hamilton found a young male actor for the lead in the acclaimed 2006 drama This is England and has had a successful run in that film's wake.
Amos hopes that some 50 to 70 teens will show up for Saturday’s open call, and she’s optimistic she’ll find the film’s star. “There are some really great characters in Cleveland,” she says.
For more info, call 216-235-8029 or email [email protected]. You can see the company’s profile at deshamilton.com.
