Do you get a little excited every time Hollywood comes to Charlottesville? Did you drive out to Crozet this summer in hopes of catching a glimpse of Steve Carell as Noah in Evan Almighty? Camp outside John Cusack’s trailer while he shot True Colors at UVA? Does Damon Wayans still have that restraining order against you for that “incident” during the filming of Major Payne? If you answered yes to any of these questions, boy, does UVA have a course for you.
Starting October 5, the University Programs Council (UPC) is offering an eight-week-long course titled “The Art of Casting for Film,” which explores the casting process from script all the way to film premiere. It’s open to students and nonstudents alike—just show up on the first day with sixty bucks ($55 with a UVA ID) and an eagerness to join the ranks of wannabe Charlottesville filmmakers.
Whether you’re an actor looking to break into the business or you’re looking for casting tips to ensure that the big indie feature you’ve been working on hits all the right notes, this class should tell you all you need to know to land or cast that role perfectly. Instructor Erica Arvold boasts 16 years in show business and will guide students through the whole process. She helped cast Rudy, people. Listen to this woman.
The class will examine just how a movie’s roles get filled by retracing the casting process of a recent blockbuster (UPC has been tight-lipped about which recent blockbuster that might be, but our money’s on that perfectly cast bit of Oscar bait, Jackass 2). Students will be looking at character breakdowns, mock audition sessions and a rundown of what it takes to hire and pay an actor.
The course description also demands of its students “a whole lot of participation,” so don’t expect to just sit there while Ms. Arvold spills juicy casting couch secrets (Sean Astin cries afterward? Who knew?!!). Then again, the same course description promises that “some intricacies in filmmaking will be revealed,” so don’t give up hope on that sweet, sweet celebrity gossip quite yet.
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