Producers must be anticipating a Halloween 2004 release date for their product. Either that, or we're in store for a particularly creepy cinematic Christmas this year. Seems a spate of thrillers are now filming—or about to start—in New York.
On the TV front, some series (such as the Philadelphia-based "Hack") have now gone on hiatus. But six episodes of the new Barry Levinson-Tom Fontana drama, "The Jury," have been ordered for Fox Television—and production on them is currently underway.
(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.)
Work on Hide and Seek has been extended through April 1. Robert De Niro, Dakota Fanning, Famke Janssen, Elisabeth Shue, Robert John Burke, and Melissa Leo star in the psych-thriller from 20th Century Fox. Direction is by John Polson (Swimfan). De Niro plays a widower with a distraught young daughter. Principals: Casting info not available. Background: Sylvia Fay Casting (71 Park Ave., NYC 10016).
March 25 is the scheduled wrap date for Coalition—described as a modern-day On the Waterfront, but set against the backdrop of New York's construction industry. The cast includes hip-hop star Raekwon, Chuck Zito, and Stephanie Finocchio. Joe Ariola directs. Principals and background: Ariola Productions (181 North 11th St., Suite 201, Brooklyn, NY 11211).
Joining the ever-industrious Nicole Kidman and recent Oscar winner Sean Penn for Sydney Pollack's The Interpreter are Catherine Keener and Jesper Christensen. The United Nations thriller began March 5 and will continue through the beginning of July. Principals: No further casting. Background: Sylvia Fay (see above).
An Untitled Project from director Lodge Kerrigan (Claire Dolan) started March 1 and will film through mid-April. The story is billed as a "contemporary drama," but reps chose to withhold further info on the project's premise and cast. Principals: No further casting. Background: Lori Eastside (c/o NYC Casting, 212 Bowery, 3rd fl., NYC 10012).
Xtacy is based loosely on Edgar Allan Poe's story "The Tell-Tale Heart." It's about an artist who becomes a serial killer. Star and director Tom DeGrezia will wrap the thriller, which has been shooting in the Tribeca area, on March 19. Also in the cast are Wass Stevens, Matthew Porter, and Rebecca Lovett. All casting is complete.
Described as an "African-American romantic comedy," Love's Sweet Thing began lensing on Feb. 6 and will proceed through March 21. The film is shooting almost entirely on weekends. Madelyn Ward, Mitch Roberson, Sophia Bishop, Nicholl Jones, and Eddie Goines are in the cast. David Wright helms. No more casting.
Dark Water, yet another thriller, is based on the 2002 Japanese film of the same title (which was itself based on the novel by Koji Suzuki of The Ring fame). The story is about a mother, a daughter, and a damp apartment. Directed by Walter Salles, the remake is winding up its shoot in Toronto and will move to New York on March 25, continuing for one month. Cast includes Jennifer Connelly, Tim Roth, John C. Reilly, Dougray Scott, Camryn Manheim, Ariel Gade, and Pete Postlethwaite. Principals: No further casting. Background: Grant Wilfley (60 Madison Ave., Room 1027, NYC 10010).
In Columbia Pictures' Last First Kiss, a professional matchmaker (Will Smith) is investigated by an undercover journalist (Eva Mendes). Kevin James will also appear in the project, to be directed by Andy Tennant (Sweet Home Alabama). Shooting gets underway in New York on March 22. No casting info available at press time.
Beginning April 1 and shooting for three months is Pumping Up, a comedy from director Peter Papageorgiou, with Catherine Natale, Mike Kimmel, Peter Badalamente, Goumba Johnny, and Clint Howard. Pic is about three bodybuilders from Queens who are engaged in a "last-chance" competition. Principals and background: Send headshots and resumes to Smash One Productions, 34-17 Steinway St., Suite 911, Astoria, NY 11102.
Looking ahead to June, there's Julian and Chalice from writer-director William Tyler Smith. This romantic comedy concerns a teacher who involves his wife and another woman in a threesome. The move backfires when the two women fall in love with each other. No casting information currently available.
Law & Order: The NBC series continues through May 6. Principals: Lynn Kressel Casting, Pier 62, Room #304, West 23rd St. and Hudson River, NYC 10011. Background: Sylvia Fay Casting (see above).
L&O spin-off Law & Order: SVU (NBC) shoots through April 22. Principals: Lynn Kressel Casting (see above). Background: Grant Wilfley (see above).
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC) is also slated to lens through April 22. Principals: Lynn Kressel Casting (see above). Background: Grant Wilfley (see above).
Filming on Third Watch (NBC)—the night-shift cop/fireman series—will continue through April 30. Principals: Bowling/Miscia (159 West 25th St., Suite 319, NYC 10001). Background: Grant Wilfley (see above). Additional casting is done in Los Angeles.
Whoopi shoots through March 30. Principals: Bernard Telsey Casting (145 West 28th St., 12th fl., NYC 10001). Background: Byron Crystal (41 Union Square West, Suite 316, NYC 10003).
The regularly appearing cast of the new Fox drama The Jury includes Adam Busch, Shalom Harlow, Jeff Hephner, and Cote De Pablo. Filming began Feb. 5 and will proceed through April 14. Principals: Alexa Fogel (443 Greenwich St., #5A, NYC 10016). Background: Sylvia Fay Casting (see above).
Steven Bochco is shooting a new TV pilot called Blind Justice from March 22-26. Background: Byron Crystal (Attn: Dept. J at the address above). See related casting notice in this week's issue.
(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 fl., NYC 10023. Send pix and resumes or postcards only.