Window shopping? You might think that but many of the sly glances at the Plaza del Duque commercial centre were to check hair, make up and general overall coolness. The queues were growing, the nerves were shredding, and the would be television and film stars were making last minute adjustments as their moment of glory drew near.
Blackstone Film Company were looking to load up with raw talent in a two day casting session and there was no shortage of takers. Muscles were primed and it was best foot forward, and many a proud chest from the ladies, but the camera is very discerning and doesn’t always go for the obvious. Julia Schroedl (below left) one of the Blackstone owner producers grabbed a few minutes out of the hiring line to tell me what they were looking for.
“Film and television companies have very specific demands when they contact us, they might want an old large lady, a young family group with toddlers, teenagers with a mix of short and long hair, very tall or short people, there is no standard extra. We also get the calls at very short notice, that’s why we need to update our database so we can instantly send them plenty of possibles.”
The queue of hopefuls ended in a spare shop unit but passed several check points on the way. Julia explained the process. “They pick up a casting form and fill out their contact details, appearance and any relevant skills.” All around the centre café the hopefuls were hunched over their forms being as creative as possible to give them that initial push.
“Once they join the queue, the first stop is to measure them and check their details, they are not always accurate,” Julia added with a smile. “Then comes the photos, we have two professional photographers and they give each applicant one minute’s attention, that is when they can impress.”
Forget impromptu juggling or even gurning, the camera is looking a little deeper. “It’s not always the prettiest people that catch the eye, some have comedic qualities or a naturally expressive face and that can be even better. If they show special qualities or strengths then we will video them for further study.”
Julia knows the business inside out, she moved to Lanzarote from Germany as a 15 year old and after studying and working in film production in Barcelona, she moved to Tenerife and is based at Parque de la Reina with Blackstone. There is a constant stream of film companies from around the world coming to Tenerife to make movies, TV dramas, adverts and to do photo shoots, and the company supplies people and technical services. Blackstone has been involved in Extreme Fishing With Robson Green, the BBC’s Walking With Dinosaurs, Audi and BMW adverts and Sports Illustrated, to name just a few.
Go on, you’re itching to ask, what’s the pay like? “A standard days work as just part of a background crowd would start at about 80 to 100 euros.” Some projects last for days and some much longer so it’s a good way to take a small step into the film world. It’s a long hit and miss process, don’t expect to be nuzzling up to Johnny Depp or Cameron Diaz the next day, your call might never come but at least if you get through the selection process you will be in with a chance. Are you ready for your close up now?
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