AUDITION PROCEDURE

Hi !
Thanks for checking out my audition blog.

Here is a small profile of some of my film and video related work so far and below you can read more about the current project and how to take it a step further if you find it interesting.



Basically the current project is an independent sci-fi feature film production - a futuristic re-telling of the traditional Asian stories of the Monkey King. It'll be very low budget, so unfortunately I can't pay actors, but it'll be fun and will go places in festivals. I'm setting up a 2 or 3 week shoot in New York towards the end of this summer - August or September - and I need to cast everyone online within the next few months. Unfortunately at the moment I can't afford to ship or accommodate actors so it'll have to be cast with actors in or around the New York area, or who have the means to travel and accommodate themselves. Although the material has a strong Asian background the characters are from all kinds of backgrounds so I'm hoping to achieve a balanced racial mix in the casting.

The initial procedure I would suggest for auditioning is simple ( but feel free to contact me and suggest another approach if that would suit you better ), you can check out the synopsis on my site;
http://www.metaldragon.net/monkey_backg.htm
here you can see the list of characters and a general outline of them. Alternately there is also a list of characters in the 'LIST OF CHARACTERS' blog listed to your right, on this page, in the blog archive.

Then you can video your audition ( any style, duration, format you like ), simply state at the beginning which character you have in mind ( or title the clip 'monkey_audition_character name' ). Then upload it to Youtube and e-mail the link to me at; alan.metaldragon@gmail.com
I will then watch your audition and reply to the e-mail address I received it from.

If you would like to see some of my other work, here are links to my videos and previous feature length mini-DV film 'Ouroboros';
Videos: http://www.metaldragon.net/videos.htm
Ouroboros: http://www.metaldragon.net/ouroboros.htm

Monkey will be shot either on 35mm film or digitally, or a combination of both, but will provisionally finish on tape to go to festivals early next year.

Thanks for taking the time, and I hope you find a role there that is of interest to you.
Looking forward to viewing your videos.

Alan Lambert
http://www.alanlambert.net

LIST OF CHARACTERS

MONKEY

Male / Asian / 18 - 25 years old / A rebellious, brooding, unpredictable character.

Monkey is the first of a new order of immortals created by The Metal Dragon. As a child he witnesses one of Mei’s assassination attempts. Mei abducts the boy and brings him to The Metal Dragon, from whom he learns the secret of long life.

Script Ref: Scene 21

MEI

Female / Asian or Middle Eastern / 18 - 25 years old / An ambitious but sensible character.

Mei works for The Metal Dragon. She holds a position of some authority in The Gold Hotel, but more importantly she has been appointed by The Metal Dragon to carry out an assassination. She becomes Monkey's protector and eventual accomplice.

Script Ref: Scene 1

THE METAL DRAGON

Male / Slavic / 50 - 60 years old / A retiring, authoritative character.

The Metal Dragon is one of the last of an old order of immortals. Physically, he appears to be in his fifties and is very distinguished, but ultimately his age is incalculable. He bestows on Monkey the secrets of his longevity and is instrumental in guiding the boy's path. The Metal Dragon moves between Time Zone 1 and The Twilight Zone.

Script Ref: Scene 16

YAMA

Female / Asian or Native American or Middle Eastern / 50 - 60 years old / A ghostly figure.

Yama is the Metal Dragon's partner, also an older immortal. She is a shadowy figure who only appears accompanying M.D. in quiet, pivotal moments.

Script Ref: Scene 74

GUBO

Male / Asian or African or Hispanic / 16 - 18 years old / A brooding but well meaning adolescent.

Gubo is the first of the next generation of immortals created by Monkey himself.

Script Ref: Scene 49

PALANKA

Female / African or West Indian / 16 - 18 years old / A brooding but well meaning adolescent.

Palanka is Gubo’s girlfriend. She is the second of the generation of immortals created by Monkey. Palanka is also the daughter of The Yellow Dragon.

Script Ref: Scene 21

NERO

Male / Caucasian or Asian or Hispanic or Other / 14 - 16 years old / A brooding and ill meaning adolescent.

Nero is a mysterious misfit who appears in Time Zone 3.
He is jealous of Gubo’s relationship with Palanka and tension develops between the trio.

Script Ref: Scene 125

THE MAN IN THE YELLOW SUIT

Male / European / 40 - 50 years old.

The Man in the yellow suit is The Yellow Dragon. He is the Dragon of the Western District and presides over the Dragons of the other 3 districts. These Dragons are mortal men. The Yellow Dragon is the subject of Mei’s assassination attempts.

Script Ref: Scene 21

THE RED DRAGON

Male / European / 40 - 50 years old.

The Red Dragon is the Dragon of the Eastern District

Script Ref: Scene 23

THE BLUE DRAGON

Male / European / 40 - 50 years old.

The Blue Dragon is the Dragon of the Northern District

Script Ref: Scene 23

THE GREEN DRAGON

Male / European / 40 - 50 years old.

The Green Dragon is the Dragon of the Southern District

Script Ref: Scene 23

MS. YOUNG

Female / Irish or French or Other / 40 - 60 years old / A retiring, authoritative character.

Ms. Young is The Chief of Police who first starts to track Monkey as he appears in public more frequently.

Script Ref: Scene 18

MS. YOUNG'S AIDE

Script Ref: Scene 18

MS. HOU

Female / African / 30 - 50 years old / A supportive character.

Ms. Hou works with The Yellow Dragon. She also works for The Metal Dragon.
She appears in certain places as a servant or guide. She often helps Monkey on his way.

Script Ref: Scene 24
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SMALLER PARTS AND EXTRAS:

CROWD OF KIDS

At some point several dozen children, between 8 and 12 years old, will need to be assembled for a mini-DV montage to be used in several scenes, to appear on monitors viewed by characters in the scenes.

STAFF / OFFICERS

There are also many smaller parts in office and restaurant staff in the hotel and police department scenes.
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WHITE MONKEY

In addition to the main character of Monkey, the title also refers to an actual Monkey, which will need to be found for one crucial shot which ends the film - preferably a tamarin or baboon like primate.