Deranged Rhino Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 I'm crowd-sourcing this one, I know there are plenty of movie and TV junkies on here and I need your help. Specifically, I need an amateur casting director. I'm putting together a project and have to give a few casting options, I can't go into much detail but I don't think I need to and this can still be an entertaining thread... First, to make the thread not just about my NJSue-ing my homework, any and all answers or discussions about the general question is welcome. We all have those 'character actors' or ones who we love but are criminally underrated. Actors who you feel would be great in a leading role, that kind of thing. Second, for those willing to play the part of arm-chair casting director, I have a few roles I need to fill (or possibilities I need to present). I have my favorites already but am convinced I'm overlooking someone even better, so hit me with your hidden gems, just not too hidden. Here's what I'm looking for, keeping in mind this is ultimately for TV (hour long, cable) not film, so let's try to keep the responses realistic (it's also an hour long vs a half hour show, so dramatic actors preferred): For the lead I'm looking for a black actor in the age range of late 30s to early 50s who can play a reluctant leader, smart but broken kind of role. Since it's the lead, this one can be the big fish so to speak... This should be the actor that gets you to want to watch this show. The second lead is a female in her mid 30s to early 40s who can play a convincing bad ass. I also need an actor and actress of Chinese descent (preferably working in America). For the actor I need a guy in his 20s that can play the hero role, athletic with range. For the actress she needs to be 30s to 40s with weight (dramatic not literal), someone who could intimidate the hell out of someone. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Mark Vader Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 (edited) 1st lead: Chi McBride or Djimon Hounsou. 2nd lead: Taylor Cole, although she might be a bit young. The other leads I need to really think on. Edited July 10, 2014 by Mark Vader
Deranged Rhino Posted July 10, 2014 Author Posted July 10, 2014 1st lead: Chi McBride or Djimon Hounsou. 2nd lead: Taylor Cole, although she might be a bit young. The other leads I need to really think on. Excellent start, cheers!
Deranged Rhino Posted July 10, 2014 Author Posted July 10, 2014 And mine?? I'm a huge fan of his wife! Your suggestion had that going for it at least...
Chef Jim Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 I'm a huge fan of his wife! Your suggestion had that going for it at least... My wife giggle just like Betty. I love it.
swnybillsfan Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 my suggestion for the lead is the actor Common, he played "sir ivy" in "smoking aces". seems to be a pretty good actor who would give a good performance and maybe not break the bank.
Deranged Rhino Posted July 10, 2014 Author Posted July 10, 2014 my suggestion for the lead is the actor Common, he played "sir ivy" in "smoking aces". seems to be a pretty good actor who would give a good performance and maybe not break the bank. I'm a fan as well. He's come a long ways and has sharpened his chops over the past couple years. Way more natural now.
Fixxxer Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 (edited) Kristin Kreuk, not the greatest actress but she has Chinese descent. Edited July 10, 2014 by Fixxxer
Dibs Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 1st lead: Michael K Williams 2nd lead: Danielle Cormack (NZ/Aussie actress or some repute down here. 44 yrs old. Check out later episodes of TV series Wentworth.)
4merper4mer Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 I'm crowd-sourcing this one, I know there are plenty of movie and TV junkies on here and I need your help. Specifically, I need an amateur casting director. I'm putting together a project and have to give a few casting options, I can't go into much detail but I don't think I need to and this can still be an entertaining thread... First, to make the thread not just about my NJSue-ing my homework, any and all answers or discussions about the general question is welcome. We all have those 'character actors' or ones who we love but are criminally underrated. Actors who you feel would be great in a leading role, that kind of thing. Second, for those willing to play the part of arm-chair casting director, I have a few roles I need to fill (or possibilities I need to present). I have my favorites already but am convinced I'm overlooking someone even better, so hit me with your hidden gems, just not too hidden. Here's what I'm looking for, keeping in mind this is ultimately for TV (hour long, cable) not film, so let's try to keep the responses realistic (it's also an hour long vs a half hour show, so dramatic actors preferred): For the lead I'm looking for a black actor in the age range of late 30s to early 50s who can play a reluctant leader, smart but broken kind of role. Since it's the lead, this one can be the big fish so to speak... This should be the actor that gets you to want to watch this show. The second lead is a female in her mid 30s to early 40s who can play a convincing bad ass. I also need an actor and actress of Chinese descent (preferably working in America). For the actor I need a guy in his 20s that can play the hero role, athletic with range. For the actress she needs to be 30s to 40s with weight (dramatic not literal), someone who could intimidate the hell out of someone. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Let me start by saying: You're welcome. I feel bad for you buying into al of this UFO crap and think you need a break. Don't ever mention this advice when it makes you rich and famous. It is just my way of helping plus I help myself by not having to read about Chliean UFOs so that's cool with me. Anyway, the new trend in Hollywood is former actors from comedies playing angst ridden leads. Think of the Breaking Bad dude or Kevin Bacon in that FBI show. There is a famous comic actor, just the right age and although not technically a black dude, he played one once and pulled if off with aplomb. His name is C. Thomas Howell and he will knock this thing out of the park. Badass chick = Amanda Bynes and you can get her on the cheap. Chinaman = That short dude from Lethal Weapon who beat the crap out of Mel Gibson. A fat Chinese broad is a bad idea in general but there are a lot of porn sites out there to scour so good luck. I've got nothing here. And why not a literal fat chick? Those fatsuits are expensive and end up smelling up the set worse than a real fatty would. A fake fat chick is easy to spot. Not even Eddie Murphy can pull that off but Martin Lawrence did ok I guess. Anyway a certain friend of mine is pissed about a talking hamster in a phone company commercial and he is highly critical of the poor furry little guy. I think this stuff is not as easy as it looks but he is hell bent for leather that he could do it better. Would you consider hiring Sammy for a part? It could be a win win win. I would agree to continue giving you my ideas, I would have a vacation from Sammy for a few weeks and you could just fire him after a while and send him home. Better yet, kill off his character Let me know what you think.
Deranged Rhino Posted July 10, 2014 Author Posted July 10, 2014 Let me start by saying: You're welcome. I feel bad for you buying into al of this UFO crap and think you need a break. Don't ever mention this advice when it makes you rich and famous. It is just my way of helping plus I help myself by not having to read about Chliean UFOs so that's cool with me. Anyway, the new trend in Hollywood is former actors from comedies playing angst ridden leads. Think of the Breaking Bad dude or Kevin Bacon in that FBI show. There is a famous comic actor, just the right age and although not technically a black dude, he played one once and pulled if off with aplomb. His name is C. Thomas Howell and he will knock this thing out of the park. Badass chick = Amanda Bynes and you can get her on the cheap. Chinaman = That short dude from Lethal Weapon who beat the crap out of Mel Gibson. A fat Chinese broad is a bad idea in general but there are a lot of porn sites out there to scour so good luck. I've got nothing here. And why not a literal fat chick? Those fatsuits are expensive and end up smelling up the set worse than a real fatty would. A fake fat chick is easy to spot. Not even Eddie Murphy can pull that off but Martin Lawrence did ok I guess. Anyway a certain friend of mine is pissed about a talking hamster in a phone company commercial and he is highly critical of the poor furry little guy. I think this stuff is not as easy as it looks but he is hell bent for leather that he could do it better. Would you consider hiring Sammy for a part? It could be a win win win. I would agree to continue giving you my ideas, I would have a vacation from Sammy for a few weeks and you could just fire him after a while and send him home. Better yet, kill off his character Let me know what you think. Sammy will always have a place in our writer's room if he wishes. I've been a fan of his material for years and lord knows the hack we have running it now needs some help. And from there, who knows? There could easily be a part for a talking gerbil in the show... it's that kind of show.
DC Tom Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 This for that one thing for the people you're doing the stuff for? Or is it the other thing? For the actress she needs to be 30s to 40s with weight (dramatic not literal), someone who could intimidate the hell out of someone. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated. That's a bit tough. My first thoughts were Ziyi Zhang or Ming-Na Wen, but they're just not that weighty on screen (I don't think Ming-Na is even intimidating enough for her Agents of Shield role). Only other one I can think of is Michelle Yeoh...but she's in her early 50's, I think? Too old?
Deranged Rhino Posted July 10, 2014 Author Posted July 10, 2014 This for that one thing for the people you're doing the stuff for? Or is it the other thing? That's a bit tough. My first thoughts were Ziyi Zhang or Ming-Na Wen, but they're just not that weighty on screen (I don't think Ming-Na is even intimidating enough for her Agents of Shield role). Only other one I can think of is Michelle Yeoh...but she's in her early 50's, I think? Too old? This is the moon one, and I really like Zhang, she might be good because she's so slight you would easily overlook her. Makes her character a bit more formidable. 50s can still work since the character is supposed to look younger than she really is so we can kind of get away with anyone in that 30-50s range...
Chef Jim Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 Art Carney I already mentioned him. His three most famous lines in three very different characters. "Hey Fred" "Hey Boo-Boo" "Hey Ralphie Boy"
shrader Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 I say bring back the Police Academy sound effects guy.
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