RISING STARS: Seven-year-old Akka, from Sheldon, will star in a film being made on Coochiemudlo Island. Akka will play Barnacle, the ferryman s dog. The ferryman, will be played by actor Cameron Sowden.
IF you have ever dreamed of appearing in a film with an award-winning cast and crew, but didn't know where to start, turn your eye to Coochiemudlo Island.
Film producer and director Beverley Callow is making a short film of Redland playwright Donna Cameron's story, The Salt Maiden, and is calling for locals to act the parts of extras.
The Salt Maiden tells of Rana, a mysterious young woman who moves to an island to help conquer her fear of drowning.
As she rides the ferries to and from the mainland, the ferryman falls in love with her and with each trip the characters are pulled closer together until memory, myth, past and present merge shockingly into one.
The play has been performed and awarded around Australia since 2002 and has now returned to Coochie, the island where it began.
The cast includes actors Renee Lim (East 101 and Crownies) and Cameron Sowden, who recently appeared in The Truth About Kookaburras at Brisbane's La Boite Theatre.
It will be filmed by AWGIE nominee Randall Wood, with an original score by internationally acclaimed musician and instrument inventor Colin Offord.
One Redland actor who has already been cast is Akka, a seven-year-old Staffordshire from Sheldon, who will play Barnacle, the ferryman's dog.
Beverely said Akka was an important cast member, as it was his character who would give the audience a clue that not all was right with the mysterious woman the ferryman was falling in love with.
She said locals appearing as extras would "need to be able to act, improvise, turn up on time, follow instructions and sometimes stay very quiet".
"Acting on a film shoot can involve waiting around, repeating numerous takes, but can also be a lot of fun," she said.
"If you're prepared to do it, you'll get to be part of a great independent film set right here in the Redlands, with an award-winning cast and crew."
Beverley said she especially needed people for the following roles:
*A woman in her 40s, with acting experience, to play the role of an impatient, flirtatious woman who has a romantic eye for younger men;
*A removalist with his own truck; and business sign-writing on the truck would be considered by the film producers.
She said extras were also needed for the roles of stylish business people, tourists of any cultural background, school aged children, elderly artists, real estate agents, fishermen, rowing team members and other "local people".
"Be creative," she said.
"Male actors with pony-tails, missing teeth and tattoos are also encouraged to apply."
Casting will be held next week on Coochiemudlo Island.
For further information and to apply, contact Libby Balesteros at casting@thesaltmaiden. com
Beverley said the film was also looking for local sponsorship, and encouraged local people and business owners who would like to help support the film to also email Libby at the above address.