Oh, my! Panthers and vampires and bares (e.g., Bettie Page) are prowling through cinematic New York this spring. But TV production is mostly taking a breather before ratcheting up for the fall season.
Director Paul Weitz (American Pie) brought the Universal Pictures project Synergy to New York for a week's shoot, ending May 22. The comedy—starring Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, and Scarlett Johansson—is about a 50-year-old businessman coping with his 26-year-old boss.
May 18 was the scheduled wrap date for The Ballad of Bettie Page, starring Gretchen Mol. (A spokesperson said filming may go a few days longer, but there was no further casting scheduled.) Director is Mary Harron (I Shot Andy Warhol). David Strathairn and Lili Taylor co-star in this biographical film about a world-famous pinup. Others in the cast are Jonathan M. Woodward, Cara Seymour, Tara Subkoff, and Kevin Carroll.
Ending production on May 25 was The Legacy of Walter Frumm, from director Jordan Schachter. Joe Towne and George Riddle headline. The film's title character finds out he's dying and decides to seek revenge on people from his past. The project was shot in Manhattan and Queens.
John Turturro is the director on Romance & Cigarettes. The idiosyncratic musical—produced by Joel and Ethan Coen—wrapped May 24. Among the film's players are James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon, Steve Buscemi, Mary-Louise Parker, Kate Winslet, Aida Turturro, Amedeo Turturro, Bobby Cannavale, Mandy Moore, Eddie Izzard, Elaine Stritch, and Christopher Walken.
(WARNING: Although casting directors request that all contact be made only by mail, many continue to limit submissions to either email or postcards and flyers without envelopes. As always, do not phone or visit their offices unless specifically instructed to do so.)
Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn continue their work on the United Nations thriller The Interpreter. The Sydney Pollack picture also features Catherine Keener and Jesper Christensen. Lensing proceeds through mid-July. Principals: No further casting. Background: Sylvia Fay Casting (71 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016).
Adam Arkin has joined the cast of the Will Smith starrer The Last First Kiss. In this romantic comedy, a professional matchmaker is investigated by an undercover journalist. Other cast members include Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta, Julie Ann Emery, Robinne Lee, and Jeffrey Donovan. Andy Tennant (Sweet Home Alabama) directs the Columbia Pictures project, which will continue spooling through June 15. Principals: No further casting. Background: Amerifilm Casting (195 Chrystie St., Suite 502G, NYC 10002).
MGM's new Pink Panther film—directed by Shawn Levy (Cheaper by the Dozen)—began its New York shoot May 10 and will go through June 15 before moving on to Europe. Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Beyoncé Knowles, Kevin Kline, Emily Mortimer, and Kristin Chenoweth are among the cast. Principals: No further casting. Background: Grant Wilfley Casting (60 Madison Ave., #1027, NYC 10010).
Directing (and also starring in) the dark comedy Life on the Ledge is Lewis Helfer. The script concerns a guy who wants to die—until he learns he's dying. The film began May 10 and will wrap June 12. Joining Helfer in front of the camera are Melissa Sagemiller, Tovah Feldshuh, Mark Blum, Gale Harold, and Daphne Rubin-Vega. No further casting.
So, who ordered the zombie? In the vampire flick Dead Serious, the undead are miffed when members of a religious cult wrest control of a gay bar. The horrorfest lenses through June 4, under the direction of Joe Sullivan. Scream queen Felissa Rose stars, along with Tom Cahill. Principals: No further casting. Background: No further casting.
Beginning May 26 is Little Manhattan (formerly titled Flowergirl), from New Regency. The romantic comedy is co-helmed by Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett. Production is scheduled through mid-August. Principals: No further casting. Background: Grant Wilfley (see above). (See related casting notice in this week's issue.)
Transamerica is a Duncan Tucker film about a woman who was formerly a man—and who learns that she fathered a son in her former life. Shooting: May 20-30. No further casting.
Love conquers all! A Jewish-American TV personality falls for a Muslim-Kurdish immigrant in David & Layla, from director Jay Jonroy. June 6-29 is the scheduled shooting period. Principals: No further casting. Background: Richard Volpe (c/o Actor's Reps, 1501 Broadway, #308, NYC 10036).
Universal Pictures' matchmaker comedy The Perfect Man, with Hilary Duff and Heather Locklear, will film for one day in late June. No local casting.
A summer shoot is slated for Pumping Up!, a comedy from director Peter Papageorgiou, with Catherine Natale, Mike Kimmel, Peter Badalamenti, Goumba Johnny, and Clint Howard. The film is about three seasoned bodybuilders from Queens. Principals and background: Send headshots and resumes to Smash-One Productions, 34-17 Steinway St., Suite 911, Astoria, NY 11102.
Charles Addessi will direct Third Man in the Ring, about a celebrated prizefight referee who is also a Mob associate—and who refuses to play ball with his underworld associates. July 1 is estimated start date for the project, to be shot in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The script—based on a true story—spans several decades of the 20th century. Principals and background: Gold Lion Productions (18 Swift Ct., Clifton, NJ 07014).
Windows is an experimental film consisting of seven vignettes connected thematically by window imagery. Some segments have been previously filmed; others will be shot later this summer. Shoja Azari directs. Among cast members are Kathryn Ott, Anthony Frier, Paul Frolov, Enrique Rivas, Mary Monahan, and Oz Phillips. Principals and background: Parrot Productions (463 Broome St., 2nd floor, NYC 10013, Attn: Windows/Back Stage).
Looking toward fall… Denzel Washington reteams with Training Day director Antoine Fuqua in Tru Blu, the story of real-life Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas.
It's been reported that Lymelife will shoot in New York, May 28-June 26. Derick and Steve Martini will direct the drama about the effects of a failing marriage on a family. Uncomfirmed online reports cite a cast that includes Alec Baldwin, Rory Culkin, Timothy Hutton, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Cynthia Nixon. Principals: No further casting. Background: Information not yet available.
Miss Congeniality 2—Castle Rock Entertainment's sequel to the popular 2000 beauty-pageant comedy—will have a four-day shoot in New York during the first week in July. Director is John Pasquin. Sandra Bullock returns as star, joined by Regina King, Enrique Murciano, Diedrich Bader, Heather Burns, William Shatner, and Treat Williams. Principals: No local casting. Background: No information currently available.
Also this autumn: a new Spike Lee "joint."
Watch for casting info on these projects in future installments of "Backlot Buzz."
Law and Order: Criminal Intent: The NBC series continues through June 15. Principals: Lynn Kressel Casting (Pier 62, Room #304, West 23rd St. and Hudson River, NYC 10011). Background: Grant Wilfley Casting (see above).
Law and Order: SVU: Also from NBC. Shoots through July 2. Principals: Lynn Kressel Casting (see above). Background: Grant Wilfley Casting (see above).
Rescue Me: The new FX series from Sony Pictures Television stars Denis Leary as a troubled firefighter. Filming proceeds through September, mostly on Long Island. Principals: Julie Tucker (c/o Apostle Films, The Ed Sullivan Theater, 1697 Broadway, Ste. 300, NYC 10019). Background: Kristine Bulakowski (Prince Street Station, PO Box 616, NYC 10012).
The CBS series Hack (which shot in Philadelphia) won't be returning this fall. However, other locally based shows will be gearing up before long.
The new crime series CSI: New York has been finalized for CBS this fall. But the program will be produced mostly in Los Angeles, with some jaunts to Gotham. Gary Sinise will star.
(Note: The casting directors of these New York-based daytime dramas stress that you do not make unsolicited visits or calls to their offices.)
All My Children (ABC): Judy Blye Wilson (casting dir.), Robert Lambert (asst., under-fives and background), Anthony Volastro (casting asst.), 320 West 66th St., NYC 10023. Send pix, resumes, postcards.
As the World Turns (CBS): Mary Clay Boland (principals), LaMont Craig (under-fives and background), Kate Martineau (asst.), 1268 East 14th St., Brooklyn, NY 11230. Send pix and resumes.
Guiding Light (CBS): Rob Decina (casting dir.), Melanie Haseltine (assoc. casting dir.), 222 East 44th St., NYC 10017. Accepts postcards and showcase invitations.
One Life to Live (ABC): Julie Madison (casting dir.), Victoria Visgilio (assoc.), Sheryl Baker-Fisher (asst.), 157 Columbus Ave., 2nd floor, NYC 10023. Send pix and resumes or postcards only.