Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 01, 2015 -- Gratwick Films has announced that the company has began testing a new method for casting actors, that Gratwick hopes will have a significant impact on the future of the independent film industry. In an effort to break free from traditional methods of open casting calls, the company has developed an online, “crowd sourced” casting process.
“As Gratwick begins working on our next film, Just Drive, we feel that the nature of the film, and the industry shift towards the broad acceptance of crowdfunding film, presents the perfect time for the introduction of a new crowd sourced, social casting process,” stated Kris Hulbert, of Gratwick Films.
“The ‘crowd’ has become such a driving factor in the entertainment industry over the past few years; they’ve helped make 14 American Idols and find The Voice several times over. Now thanks to power of YouTube and the large-scale availability of high-speed internet service, live stream auditions and video submissions will allow the crowd to collaborate in the casting process of our next film. We are collaborating with our audience and backers throughout every aspect of the casting process for two very important reasons. First, we are asking the crowd to support and fund our film, so we believe it’s only fair to let them have a say in who gets an opportunity that might not otherwise have been offered. Second, to help expand the personal audience for every actor involved,” Hulbert continued.
“We understand that appeasing distributors with casting compromises is a necessary evil for indie filmmakers. But if we collaborate with the crowd to cast the actors they want to see and support, sales numbers won't dictate our cast, talent and the audience will. We hope a community will blossom from this casting calls process, one that discovers, engages and supports all the actors who participate in our casting search,” concluded Hulbert.
Beginning June 1st on the films website, the crowd will have access to video submissions and auditions live-streamed from CATZ Casting in Los Angeles. Live auditions will kick off Saturday June 13th at 10:00 Pacific time on the Just Drive YouTube channel and culminate on June 27th with the launch of an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to fund the film and charity bus tour. The first round submission process will conclude on June 30th. Afterwards, backers and members of the casting calls crowd will be able to participate intimately in the later stages of the casting process and have a direct impact on deciding which actors get their big break.
Gratwick’s latest film, the contained thriller Just Drive, is a story about a would be Hollywood whistle blower who is forced to choose between his life and his legacy when Machiavellian forces attempt to end his ride. The film is considered to be an exercise in Social Filmmaking. Every aspect of the project is being crowd sourced and shared in real time. Once the film is finished it will be used as a vehicle to support children's charities and causes voted on by the Just Drive community.
About Gratwick Films
Gratwick Films is leading the social revolution for filmmakers to create entertainment that supports charities and causes that positively impact communities. This new model for filmmaking, called Social Filmmaking, uses social media to create a direct connection between creator and consumer, while operating in total transparency so that the crowd can hold Gratwick Films socially accountable to its charitable intentions.
About Universal Media Consultants
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Monica Alexander, PR WIZZZZ ENTERTAINMENT, http://www.justdrivethemovie.com/, +1 (310) 254-0168, [email protected]
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