“The Past is Never Dead: The William Faulkner Story” is now casting speaking roles in Oxford, Mississippi.
Casting directors are now casting actors, models, and talent to work on scenes filming in Oxford, Mississippi. The deadline to accept submissions is Wednesday, May 15th.
Producers are seeking the following roles:
- [WILLIAM FAULKNER] Seen from his mid-thirties to fifties, William Faulkner labors to become one of the greatest writers of all time. A struggling artist who tries to build a family and a writing career, Faulkner writes difficult works of experimental fiction that initially gain limited critical reception, but ultimately win him respect as one of America’s greatest novelists. An alcoholic, he is married to Estelle and the father of Jill — but he’s a chronic womanizer with a variety of mistresses. To support his family, he bounces between his home in Oxford, Mississippi and Hollywood, while continuing to write novels and short stories. In 1950, he is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and is thrust onto the world’s stage…LEAD. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT AND FACILITY WITH LANGUAGE ARE A MUST. WILL ALSO NARRATE MUCH OF THE DOCUMENTARY IN CHARACTER.
Reference Photo available - [ESTELLE FAULKNER] Seen in her mid-thirties to fifties, she is William Faulkner’s wife; he is her second husband. The mother of their daughter Jill, Estelle has two children from her previous marriage, and is wooed by William after that marriage ends in divorce. Estelle’s marriage to Faulkner is far from happy; her own instability may be the cause of their mutual suffering, but his alcoholism and steady womanizing contribute to the drain on Estelle’s sanity…LEAD.
- [JILL FAULKNER] Seen in her late teens, Jill is the only surviving child of William Faulkner. A witness to the tangled and difficult marriage of her parents Estelle and William, Jill comes to learn about her father’s alcoholism and his womanizing. She bears the difficulties of her home life with a stiff upper lip while yearning to escape the world of Rowan Oak…SUPPORTING LEAD. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT IS A MUST.
Reference Photo available - [YOUNG FALKNER] Seen as a preteens child, ten to thirteen, Young William Falkner grows up in Oxford, Mississippi, the son of Maud Falkner, and the brother of Murry, John, and Jack. He is an inquisitive and artistic boy who loves storytelling and acting out Civil War battles. While close to his strict mother and “mammy” Caroline Barr, he constantly imagines new ways to weasel out of doing his chores….SUPPORTING LEAD. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT IS A MUST.
Reference Photo available - [YOUNG ADULT FALKNER] Seen in his late teens through twenties, Young Adult Faulkner is an artistic young man in Oxford, Mississippi, inclined to woo a young Estelle Oldham, but unable to win her hand in marriage. When Estelle marries another man, William adds a “U” to his name and joins the Royal Air Force Canada to fight in the Great War. Upon returning to Oxford, he works odd jobs and pursues his writing more intensely–all the while pretending to be an injured war hero… SUPPORTING LEAD. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT IS A MUST.
Reference Photo available - [YOUNG ADULT ESTELLE] Estelle Oldham, seen in her late teens to mid-twenties, a pretty, small, and brown-haired Caucasian young woman. She attracts a number of suitors, including William Faulkner. Stemming from their shared love of art, their relationship is put to the test when Estelle receives a marriage proposal from a handsome suitor with strong prospects…3 lines, 4 scenes. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT IS A MUST.
Reference Photo available - [META CARPENTER] A woman in her late twenties, Caucasian, with wavy dark blonde hair, she works in the office of Howard Hawks, and is persistently pursued by William Faulkner. Meta finally relents and gives in to his wishes — but has misgivings when she has to dine with Faulkner’s wife Estelle at a painfully long dinner party…8 speeches & 13 lines, 7 scenes. ROLE IS LARGELY VOICE-OVER.
- [CAROLINE BARR] Seen in her seventies, is a small, elderly African-American woman and William’s “mammy,” the live-in servant who rears William Faulkner and later William Faulkner’s daughter. While strict, she gives William a full measure of affection, love, and attention…1 line, 5 scenes.
Reference Photo available - [MAUD FALKNER] A Caucasian female, late thirties to early forties, is William’s mother, a spry, engaging little woman who loves to read and paint. Maud’s childrearing philosophy can be summed up by the sign in her kitchen, which reads “Don’t Complain, Don’t Explain.” Maud fosters creativity and imagination in her children and enjoys close relationship with them….8 lines, 2 scenes. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT IS A MUST
Reference Photo available - [NURSE] A middle-aged Caucasian woman, this nurse has to break the news to Faulkner that his sickly baby daughter, Alabama, has died…3 lines, 2 scenes.
- [POST OFFICE INSPECTOR] A Caucasian male, thirties to fifties, he is a Post Office Inspector in Oxford, Mississippi. He orders “Billy” to stop writing and attend to his paying job, and is stunned when Faulkner angrily quits instead…3 lines, 1 scene.
- [POST OFFICE CUSTOMER] A Caucasian female, late twenties to mid-forties, customer at the University of Mississippi post office, she tries to get service, but Faulkner is too busy writing in the back room, and is oblivious to her needs…3 lines, 1 scene.
- [SAM MARX] In 1932, a MGM story editor Sam Marx, thirties, assigns Faulkner to work on the new Wallace Beery movie, and orders him to a screening room to see several of Beery’s movies…1 speech & 2 lines, 1 scene. CREDIBLE FRENCH ACCENT IS A MUST
- [REPORTER 1] Seen in 1950, this Memphis reporter, a Caucasian male, thirties, tries to goad Faulkner into commenting on his winning of the Nobel Prize in Literature, but a cranky Faulkner knows exactly when he wants to stop talking…1 line, 1 scene.
- [REPORTER 2] Seen in 1950, this Memphis reporter, Caucasian, male, forties to fifties, tries to goad Faulkner into commenting on his winning of the Nobel Prize in Literature, but a cranky Faulkner knows exactly when he wants to stop talking…2 lines, 1 scene.
- [PRIEST] This priest, a Caucasian male, forties to late fifties, performs the ceremony of marriage, uniting Estelle with her first husband, Cornell Franklin…1 line, 1 scene. OFF-SCREEN LINE
- [HORACE LIVERIGHT] This New York publisher writes Faulkner a baffled letter of rejection; he considers the manuscript of “Flags In The Dust” to be unpublishable because of its lack of plot…2 speeches, 1 scene. VOICE-OVER ONLY. New York accent needed.
How to apply:
CASTING CALL MISSISSIPPI & SURROUNDING STATES:
THE PAST IS NEVER DEAD: THE STORY OF WILLIAM FAULKNER
Morgan Casting is excited to cast a SAG-AFTRA Docudrama, shooting in Oxford, Mississippi
For anyone interested in being considered for a speaking role, email casting ASAP!
DEADLINE TO ACCEPT SUGGESTIONS: WED. MAY 15TH at 5pm CST, as time is of the essence to reach out for auditions.
We will reach out with sides (lines) for self-taped, video auditions (if chosen).
No live auditions for round 1, only self tapes.
We will book some roles from tape; others will be invited to a live callback session June 1 in Oxford, MS.
Each speaking roles pays SAG-AFTRA Scale of $980/day of work.
The film shoots in Oxford from June 10th to June 20, 2019.
We are seeking all Oxford, MS, local hires (meaning that one must work as a local at one’s expense)
Please email a few photos (and acting resume if one has) to [email protected]
SUBJECT LINE: Your name for Role/s for Faulkner Doc
Be sure to include the following info the body of your email:
1. Name:
2. Age (asking for those under 18 only):
3. Contact number:
4. City/State in which you live:
5. Role/s for which you would like to be considered:
6. If you have representation, please let us know:
NB: If you are a represented actor, please allow your agent to suggest you first and foremost. IF you have an Actors Access account, please suggest there. Please do not email us directly, as this post if intended for those who do not have professional representation or an Actors Access account. These two methods will be our preferred methods for suggestions on the film. We will only accept emails directly for those who cannot suggest via these two methods. If you agent has already suggested you OR you already suggested via Actors Access, do not email us!
This is a documentary with dramatic re-enactments.
All roles save that of William Faulkner must be MS, hires.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Using never before seen imagery and stories, The Past is Never Dead explores the life of one of America’s greatest authors, William Faulkner. This first-ever and only authorized documentary weaves together re-enactment, archival, and interview footage to portray Faulkner’s story of love, rejection, heartache, and perseverance.
[WILLIAM FAULKNER] Seen from his mid-thirties to fifties, William Faulkner labors to become one of the greatest writers of all time. A struggling artist who tries to build a family and a writing career, Faulkner writes difficult works of experimental fiction that initially gain limited critical reception, but ultimately win him respect as one of America’s greatest novelists. An alcoholic, he is married to Estelle and the father of Jill — but he’s a chronic womanizer with a variety of mistresses. To support his family, he bounces between his home in Oxford, Mississippi and Hollywood, while continuing to write novels and short stories. In 1950, he is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and is thrust onto the world’s stage…LEAD. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT AND FACILITY WITH LANGUAGE ARE A MUST. WILL ALSO NARRATE MUCH OF THE DOCUMENTARY IN CHARACTER.
Reference Photo available
[ESTELLE FAULKNER] Seen in her mid-thirties to fifties, she is William Faulkner’s wife; he is her second husband. The mother of their daughter Jill, Estelle has two children from her previous marriage, and is wooed by William after that marriage ends in divorce. Estelle’s marriage to Faulkner is far from happy; her own instability may be the cause of their mutual suffering, but his alcoholism and steady womanizing contribute to the drain on Estelle’s sanity…LEAD.
[JILL FAULKNER] Seen in her late teens, Jill is the only surviving child of William Faulkner. A witness to the tangled and difficult marriage of her parents Estelle and William, Jill comes to learn about her father’s alcoholism and his womanizing. She bears the difficulties of her home life with a stiff upper lip while yearning to escape the world of Rowan Oak…SUPPORTING LEAD. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT IS A MUST.
Reference Photo available
[YOUNG FALKNER] Seen as a preteens child, ten to thirteen, Young William Falkner grows up in Oxford, Mississippi, the son of Maud Falkner, and the brother of Murry, John, and Jack. He is an inquisitive and artistic boy who loves storytelling and acting out Civil War battles. While close to his strict mother and “mammy” Caroline Barr, he constantly imagines new ways to weasel out of doing his chores….SUPPORTING LEAD. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT IS A MUST.
Reference Photo available
[YOUNG ADULT FALKNER] Seen in his late teens through twenties, Young Adult Faulkner is an artistic young man in Oxford, Mississippi, inclined to woo a young Estelle Oldham, but unable to win her hand in marriage. When Estelle marries another man, William adds a “U” to his name and joins the Royal Air Force Canada to fight in the Great War. Upon returning to Oxford, he works odd jobs and pursues his writing more intensely–all the while pretending to be an injured war hero… SUPPORTING LEAD. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT IS A MUST.
Reference Photo available
[YOUNG ADULT ESTELLE] Estelle Oldham, seen in her late teens to mid-twenties, a pretty, small, and brown-haired Caucasian young woman. She attracts a number of suitors, including William Faulkner. Stemming from their shared love of art, their relationship is put to the test when Estelle receives a marriage proposal from a handsome suitor with strong prospects…3 lines, 4 scenes. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT IS A MUST.
Reference Photo available
[META CARPENTER] A woman in her late twenties, Caucasian, with wavy dark blonde hair, she works in the office of Howard Hawks, and is persistently pursued by William Faulkner. Meta finally relents and gives in to his wishes — but has misgivings when she has to dine with Faulkner’s wife Estelle at a painfully long dinner party…8 speeches & 13 lines, 7 scenes. ROLE IS LARGELY VOICE-OVER.
[CAROLINE BARR] Seen in her seventies, is a small, elderly African-American woman and William’s “mammy,” the live-in servant who rears William Faulkner and later William Faulkner’s daughter. While strict, she gives William a full measure of affection, love, and attention…1 line, 5 scenes.
Reference Photo available
[MAUD FALKNER] A Caucasian female, late thirties to early forties, is William’s mother, a spry, engaging little woman who loves to read and paint. Maud’s childrearing philosophy can be summed up by the sign in her kitchen, which reads “Don’t Complain, Don’t Explain.” Maud fosters creativity and imagination in her children and enjoys close relationship with them….8 lines, 2 scenes. CREDIBLE MISSISSIPPI ACCENT IS A MUST
Reference Photo available
[NURSE] A middle-aged Caucasian woman, this nurse has to break the news to Faulkner that his sickly baby daughter, Alabama, has died…3 lines, 2 scenes.
[POST OFFICE INSPECTOR] A Caucasian male, thirties to fifties, he is a Post Office Inspector in Oxford, Mississippi. He orders “Billy” to stop writing and attend to his paying job, and is stunned when Faulkner angrily quits instead…3 lines, 1 scene.
[POST OFFICE CUSTOMER] A Caucasian female, late twenties to mid-forties, customer at the University of Mississippi post office, she tries to get service, but Faulkner is too busy writing in the back room, and is oblivious to her needs…3 lines, 1 scene.
[SAM MARX] In 1932, a MGM story editor Sam Marx, thirties, assigns Faulkner to work on the new Wallace Beery movie, and orders him to a screening room to see several of Beery’s movies…1 speech & 2 lines, 1 scene. CREDIBLE FRENCH ACCENT IS A MUST
[REPORTER 1] Seen in 1950, this Memphis reporter, a Caucasian male, thirties, tries to goad Faulkner into commenting on his winning of the Nobel Prize in Literature, but a cranky Faulkner knows exactly when he wants to stop talking…1 line, 1 scene.
[REPORTER 2] Seen in 1950, this Memphis reporter, Caucasian, male, forties to fifties, tries to goad Faulkner into commenting on his winning of the Nobel Prize in Literature, but a cranky Faulkner knows exactly when he wants to stop talking…2 lines, 1 scene.
[PRIEST] This priest, a Caucasian male, forties to late fifties, performs the ceremony of marriage, uniting Estelle with her first husband, Cornell Franklin…1 line, 1 scene. OFF-SCREEN LINE
[HORACE LIVERIGHT] This New York publisher writes Faulkner a baffled letter of rejection; he considers the manuscript of “Flags In The Dust” to be unpublishable because of its lack of plot…2 speeches, 1 scene. VOICE-OVER ONLY. New York accent needed.
Thank you!
Morgan Casting
