Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Type: Student Films
Synopsis:
Adapted from the children’s book “Blueberries for the Queen,” by Katherine Paterson. William is an imaginative eight-year-old boy growing up in rural New England during World War II with his parents and his older brother. While the rest of his family gets to help out in the war effort, William feels like he’s too little to do anything. When the queen of the Netherlands comes to live right up the road from William’s family farm, he realizes that sometimes all it takes to be someone’s “knight in shining armor” is to just pick a few blueberries and be a friendly neighbor.
Audition Details:
Tuesday, May 13th from 2:30 – 5:00 PM, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Wednesday, May 14th from 2:30 – 500 PM, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Cornerstone University
1001 E Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Warren Faber building
Callbacks will be held exactly one week later.
Shooting details:
August 6 – 17th in Grand Rapids, MI.
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Available roles:
WILLIAM (8 – 10, male) Slightly messy brown hair.
A smart, imaginative little boy who really wants to help with the war effort, but he’s too little. As much as this can frustrate him, he’s still a very cheerful and giving soul who has a heart for people and can’t stand to see them suffer.
ROGER (11-14, male) Tall and slender with short cropped dark hair.
Roger is about-thirteen-going-on-twenty. He’s sensible, outgoing, and contributes to the war effort by working the equipment at a neighboring farm. He’s been given a lot of responsibility, which has made him feel that he’s practically an adult.
DAD (30’s, male) Tall, slender, with light brown hair.
Dad is a lot like William. He wants to help in the war effort on the front lines but can’t because of his asthma, so he pours as much of his time and energy as he can into the few menial task he can do at home. He’s a quiet, subdued gentleman, but what he does do is significant. He means what he says.
MOM (30’s, female)
Mom is outgoing, verbal, and very generous. She volunteers at the local Red Cross, and is usually the first person to greet somebody new. She, much like William, hates to see people suffer.
YOUNG QUEEN (20’s) Dark hair, slender nose. Looks like a young Queen Elizabeth II. How William imagines the Queen of the Netherlands
QUEEN WILHELMINA (60’s, female) Rosy cheeks, silver hair, bright eyes.
The queen of the Netherlands fled to the United States to escape German bombing raids. She’s intellectually strong, but down to earth and friendly.
GUARD JANSEN (Mid 40’s – Early 50’s, male)
One of six generals chosen to accompany the Queen to America. He left a small family behind at home, and one of his children is about William’s age, so he immediately relates to William’s innocence and generosity.
ADVISOR 1 (40’s, male)
A bit of a joker. Not married.
There was an assassination scare at the palace a few months ago, and he was part of the Queen’s personal security team. He set her at ease, kept her calm, helped keep her from becoming too scared, and she personally requested him to accompany her.
No lines.
ADVISOR 2 (40’s, male)
Quiet, observant, compassionate, but a wee bit of a wild card when the moment requires it. He is the Queen’s daughter’s husband’s sister’s husband. He was not given the job out of nepotism — he was already married when the Queen’s daughter married his brother-in-law. He has a fierce loyalty to the Queen because of this.
There is talk in the palace that his job is more secure now, but he knows that he is on the level as anybody else, and he doesn’t seek anything more.
No lines.
ADVISOR 3 (50’s, male)
Sort of a goody-two-shoes. Tries to keep everybody else in line — not because he’s a killjoy, but because he worries that nothing will get done if he doesn’t.
Been in the army for years. His “tenure” and experience put him in position for this detail to America. He has lots of “military” stories to tell and is highly decorated. He wears his medals with pride – each one having some sort of funny story to accompany it.
No lines.
ADVISOR 4 (50’s, male)
The biggest, scariest looking one, but is an absolute, utter teddy bear. Married, no children, but always wanted some. A nephew and a couple of nieces whom he loves to death, and sees in William.
Also been in the army for years. His career started when he was in his late teens. He is highly decorated but prefers not to wear all his medals on his dress uniforms.
No lines.
ADVISOR 5 (mid 30’s, male)
The youngest of the Queen’s advisors, he is often (good-naturedly) sent out on menial tasks. When the other advisors do it, he rolls his eyes but goes in good humor. When the queen does it, he wholeheartedly accepts it as his duty.
No lines.
Compensation:
We have a very limited budget, but all actors will be paid.
How to apply:
If interested, please email your headshot and resume to blueberriesthemovie@gmail.com with the name of the character(s) you’re interested in.
Payment: Paid
City or Location of call: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Please submit to: blueberriesthemovie@gmail.com by 2014-05-13
This casting notice was posted by: Troubled Joy Films