The Aretha Franklin movie, “Respect” is now filming in the New York City area and the production is now casting locals who would like to be paid movie extras on the project.
The film is described as a biopic that will ultimately follow Aretha’s career across the decades. Sometime ago the film was holding open auditions for a child actress that could play Aretha Franklin in her early days. Seems that they have found the young actress to play Aretha and are now filming the movie.
The movie’s extras casting directors at GWC in New York City are now looking for extras. Since the movie is filming in New York City, they are only considering folks that live in the NYC area. Since the film spans quite a few decades, they are looking for people that can pull off some period looks. The details of the casting call are below.
The current cast, per the movie’s IMDB page includes Forest Whitaker, Marc Maron, Tate Donovan, Marlon Wayans, Tituss Burgess, Jennifer Hudson and Mary J. Blige. They have also cast Skye Dacota Turner to fill the role of the young Aretha.
Aretha is known as the “Queen of Soul” and this upcoming film will follow her life from her humble beginnings all the way to her “Queen of Soul” superstar status. “Respect” will star Jennifer Hudson who is said to have been personally selected for the role by Aretha, herself, prior to her passing. Aretha Franklin won 17 Grammys including one for her hit song “Respect” in the late 60’s.
Callie Khouri, who wrote “Thelma & Louise” and also created the country music series Nashville, is writing the screenplay for “Respect.” The movie will be directed by Liesl Tommy and it looks like it is currently slated for a 2020 release date in theaters. The biopic is being produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, BRON Studios, Creative Wealth Media Finance and others.
Interested? Here is the casting notice for extras:
Please note that you must be local to New York City in order to be considered.
Extras casting for Aretha Franklin movie “Respect”
Grant Wilfley Casting is seeking the following for featured background work on the feature film RESPECT:
-1960s African-American Female Friends of Principal Actress (18-20s age range, works 11/1 & 11/5 matching)
-1960s African-American Cute Boys (18-20s age range, works 11/1 & 11/5 matching)
-1960s Very Young African-American Female Prostitutes (18 + to look younger, works 11/2 exterior)
Please note:
-Must be 18 or older to work
-Must be local to NY tri-state area
-Must have valid, unexpired, unrestricted US-issued ID to work
-All men must be clean shaven & be willing to get a 1960s hair cut
-All women must have 1960s appropriate hair (no braids, dreads, weaves, extensions, ombre, unnatural colors, etc)
-NO visible tattoos
-Must be ok working around atmospheric smoke
Please email bgcasting@gwcnyc.com with:
-what role are you submitting for?
-name
-union status
-avail for dates for your role
-all sizes: MEN- height, weight, suit, shirt, pants, and shoe / WOMEN- height, weight, bust-waist-hip, dress, and shoe
-2-3 recent candid photos/selfies showing your current hair and look (please include close up and full body photos)
-confirm you are over 18
-MEN- are you ok getting a hair cut? are you ok being clean shaven?
-do you have visible tattoos?
-confirm ok working around atmospheric smoke
-what ID can you provide for your I9? (please note if you have a visa or restricted ID or any kind?)
-phone number
Please write in the subject line: “FACEBOOK, RESPECT SUBMISSION.”
And of course the movie is named after one of her iconic songs… Respect.