Films Currently Shooting
(WARNING: Most casting directors request that all contact be made only by mail or email. Do not phone or visit their offices unless specifically instructed to do so.)
Across the Universe, the new title for the Julie Taymor musical project, continues filming here through Jan. 12. Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs, and Martin Luther join already-announced cast members Evan Rachel Wood and T.V. Carpio. Although previously referred to as a "Beatles musical," the film has an original story and production reps want to make clear that this is not a Beatles biopic. Principals: Bernard Telsey Casting (145 West 28th St., Ste. 12F, NYC 10001). Background: Grant Wilfley Casting (123 West 18th St., 8th floor, NYC 10011).
The Alan Chan Band, about a 40-ish comedian who decides to become a rock star, began filming Oct. 16 and has extended its original January wrap date to sometime in March. The film is an improvisational project in the style of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Chan (Nick at Nite's "Hi-Jinks") also stars. He is especially seeking actors (male and female) who play bass guitar and flute. Principals: "The ACB" (c/o Alan Chan Productions, 481 Eighth Ave., Ste. 1710, NYC 10001) or rialchen@aol.com. Background: Not casting at this time.
Awake, a drama about a young man who remains awake and aware—although paralyzed—during heart surgery. Joby Harold directs Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba. Shooting Oct. 26–Dec. 19. Principals: No information available. Background: Amerifilm Casting, 195 Chrystie St., Ste. 502G, NYC 10002.
*A Crime, a thriller about a New Yorker conducting research on his wife's murderer. Directed by Manuel Pradal. With Emmanuelle Béart, Harvey Keitel, and Norman Reedus. Filming Oct. 10–Dec. 7. Principals: No further casting. Background: Sean Powers Casting, 295 Greenwich St., Ste. 513, NYC 10007.
The Devil Wears Prada stars Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, and is directed by David Frankel ("Band of Brothers"). Based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger, the story follows a young woman who goes to work for a powerful editor. Filming continues through the end of November. Principals: No further casting. Background: Barbara McNamara Casting (150 West 28th St., Ste. 1601, NYC 10001 or prada@barbmcasting.com).
The Good Shepherd is headlined by Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and Robert De Niro who also directs. It's based on the life of James Jesus Angleton, one of the early leaders of the CIA. The supporting cast includes William Hurt, John Turturro, Billy Crudup, Tammy Blanchard, Michael Gambon, Alec Baldwin, Timothy Hutton, Keir Dullea, Eddie Redmayne, Lee Pace, and Gabriel Macht. Filming continues in New York through Dec. 1 and then moves to the Dominican Republic and Great Britain. Principals: Amanda Mackey Johnson, Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, and Sig De Miguel (180 Grand St., 3rd floor, NYC 10013). Background: Grant Wilfley Casting (123 West 18th St., 8th floor, NYC 10011).
*Ira & Abby, a romantic comedy written by and starring Jennifer Westfeldt, with Chris Messina. Directed by Robert Cary. Started shooting Nov. 12 and will continue into December. Principals: Bernard Telsey Casting, 145 W. 28th St., Ste. 12F, NYC 10001. Background: Kee Casting, PO Box 3170, Guttenberg, NJ 07093.
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (English title: Never Say Goodbye), a Bollywood project, continues lensing here through Dec. 14. The last parts of the project will film in Bombay. Seventy percent of the dialogue is in English. Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, and Preity Zinta. Principals: No further casting. Background: Extras Casting by Booked (295 Greenwich St., #513, NYC 10007) or kank@dillywood.com.
*The Pleasure of Your Company, a romantic comedy about a young man who loses the woman of his dreams and reacts by spontaneously proposing marriage to a waitress. Directed by Michael Ian Black. With Jason Biggs and Isla Fisher. Began filming Nov. 7 and continues through Dec. 13. Principals: No further casting. Background: Kee Casting, PO Box 3170, Guttenberg, NJ 07093. Especially needed are South Asian men.
*Purple Violets, a romantic comedy about a pair of writers. Written by and starring Edward Burns, with Selma Blair, Patrick Wilson, Debra Messing, and Donal Logue. Shooting Nov. 9–Dec. 16. Principals: No further casting. Background: Amerifilm Casting, 195 Chrystie St., Ste. 502G, NYC 10002.
*Sarbanes-Oxley, a drama about corporate greed and corruption. Directed by Ramcess Jean-Louis. With Shane Taylor, Ian Jarvis, Armand Desharnais, and Dennis Wit. Began filming Oct. 24 and continues through Nov. 20. Principals: No further casting. Background: breakinto@aol.com.
Super Ex-Girlfriend features a guy who dumps his superheroine sweetheart, who then proceeds to make his life miserable. Luke Wilson, Uma Thurman, Eddie Izzard, and Anna Faris star in the comedy from director Ivan Reitman ("Six Days Seven Nights"). Shooting began Oct. 14 and continues through January. Principals: No further casting. Background: Amerifilm (195 Chrystie St., Ste. 502G, NYC 10002.
The Underdog centers on a young man facing a formidable rival for his girlfriend's attention: her new dog. Director Marcel Sarmiento's comedy is now set to film Oct. 13-Nov. 11. Principals: No further casting. Background: Underdog LLC (257 West 52nd St., 2nd floor, NYC 10019).
Upcoming Films
The Grasslands stars Ed Lauter, James Madio, Ray Elson, and Foster Lee and is to be directed by Chris Raffaele. Set in the Bronx, the film is a love story centered on a murder. The start date will probably be sometime in November. Principals and background: Mellicent Dyane (c/o 4/10 of a Mile Productions, 1934 Williamsbridge Rd., Bronx, NY 10461).
*Gleam, a nonunion film that looks inside the mind of unusual individuals through a series of vignettes. Directed by Trace Burroughs. Begins filming in May. Principals: Actor-writers with an enthralling or outlandish dramatic or comedic fictional story of 5–10 minutes should send a photo, a description of the story, and an excerpt of 200 or more words to Little Men Entertainment, 17 Highland Ave., Redding, CT 06896 or lmenstudio@aol.com (subject line: "Stories"; send photos as attached JPEGs). Background: Not casting.
Gratuitous Violence, directed by Ray Daly Jr., is a suspense drama set in the entertainment industry. It's now set to commence filming in February or March in Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island. Principals and background: Fighting Irish Productions (251 East 51st St., #6H, NYC 10022) or RayDalyJR@aol.com.
*Night at the Museum, a 20th Century Fox/Sun Productions action comedy about a curse that reanimates creatures at a museum of natural history. Directed by Shawn Levy. Begins shooting Jan. 18 and continues through March 10. Principals: Ilene Starger Casting, 3000 W. Olympic Blvd., Bldg. 3, Ste. 2476, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Background: No current information.
*Reflection, a supernatural martial-arts thriller. Directed by Robert Dixon. Begins filming mid- to late November. Principals: No further casting. Background: Dixon Media, 12 Pearl St., Staten Island, NY 10304 (especially needs extras to play uniformed policemen and security guards).
*Sex in the '60s, a nonunion feature about sexual behavior in the 1960s. Trace Burroughs will direct. Begins filming in January. Principals and background: Little Men Entertainment, 17 Highland Ave., Redding, CT 06896 or lmenstudio@aol.com (subject line: "Casting Performers"; send photos as attached JPEGs).
Ten February is now the projected start date for director Bobby Guions' feature about a government agent who is kidnapped, thrown into a room, and forced to fight for his life. Cast: Morgan Benoit, Kate Kenney, Eric Blaze, Jason Veil, Quentin Jordan, John Bertrand, and Craig Pleug. Filming is in Newark. Principals and background: BG Films (33 Myrtle Ave., Irvington, NJ 07111).
Three Chords and the Truth, from director Solon Quinn, deals with race and gender issues. It starts in mid-November and continues into December. Principals and background: Youl ah Kim (315 Green Valley Rd., Staten Island, NY 10312) or cvfilms@hotmail.com.
TV Series Shoots
The Bedford Diaries: The hour-long WB series began filming Aug. 10 and continues through Dec. 23. Principals: Alexa Fogel (330 West 38th St., Ste. 906, NYC 10018). Background: Sylvia Fay/Lee Genick Casting (71 Park Ave., NYC 10016).
The Book of Daniel: The new NBC clergy drama began Sept. 8; no wrap date is set. Principals: Julie Tucker (c/o Apostle Films, 568 Broadway, Ste. 301, NYC 10012). Background: Grant Wilfley Casting (123 West 18th St., 8th floor, NYC 10011).
Hope & Faith: The season continues through Feb. 24. Principals: James Calleri Casting (416 West 42nd St., NYC 10036). Background: Kee Casting (425 Park Ave. South, Suite 3C, NYC 10016).
Law & Order: Shooting for next season proceeds through April 1. Principals: Lynn Kressel Casting (Pier 62, Room 304, West 23rd Street and Hudson River, NYC 10011). Background: Grant Wilfley Casting (123 West 18th St., 8th floor, NYC 10011).
Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Shoots through April 1. Principals: Lynn Kressel Casting (Pier 62, Room 304, West 23rd Street and Hudson River, NYC 10011). Background: Grant Wilfley Casting (123 West 18th St., 8th floor, NYC 10011).
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Shoots through May 30. Principals: Lynn Kressel Casting (Pier 62, Room 304, West 23rd Street and Hudson River, NYC 10011). Background: Grant Wilfley Casting (71 Park Ave., NYC 10016).
*Love Monkey, a new hourlong CBS drama about four male friends at different stages of life and love. Stars Tom Cavanaugh and Jason Priestley. Filming now through Feb. 3. Principals: No confirmed information. Background: Amerifilm Casting, 195 Chrystie St., Ste. 502G, NYC 10002.
The Sopranos: Production proceeds through mid-November. Principals: Walken/Jaffe Casting (729 Seventh Ave., Ste. 14A, NYC 10019). Background: Grant Wilfley Casting (see above).
*Vivianpusher, a series of half-hour absurdist pieces, produced and directed by Astro Saladino. Shooting now until March. No pay. Principals: Astro Saladino, 262 Arden Ave., Staten Island, NY 10312. Background: Not casting.
Upcoming Television
*Kidnapped, an hourlong pilot about an abducted boy, for NBC/Sony. Directed by Michael Dinner. Will shoot Dec. 8–23. Principals: No further casting. Background: Grant Wilfley Casting, 123 W. 18th St., 8th fl., NYC 10011.
Daytime Drama
(Note: The casting directors of these New York-based daytime dramas stress that you should not make unsolicited visits or calls to their offices.)
All My Children (ABC): Judy Blye Wilson (casting director), Robert Lambert (associate, under-fives and background), 320 West 66th St., NYC 10023. Send headshots, resumes, postcards.
As the World Turns (CBS): Mary Clay Boland (principals), LaMont Craig (under-fives), Kate Martineau (background), 1268 East 14th St., Brooklyn, NY 11230. Send headshots and resumes.
Guiding Light (CBS): Rob Decina (casting director), Darlene Failla (associate casting director), 222 East 44th St., NYC 10017. Accepts postcards and showcase invitations.
One Life to Live (ABC): Julie Madison (casting director), Victoria Visgilio (associate), Sheryl Baker-Fisher (assistant), 157 Columbus Ave., 2nd floor, NYC 10023. Send headshots and resumes or postcards only.