Friday Night Lights - casting call

Wanna be in the movies?

"Friday Night Lights" was the title of a book by H.G. Bissinger about the 1988 season of the Odessa Permian Panthers football team. And Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment have announced plans to make a movie about it. The director, Peter Berg, and other members of the production team were in Odessa recently for some atmosphere yet it appears the movie will be filmed in Austin. Plans seem to be progressing as Austin360.com has published a casting call:

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, a studio feature shooting in the Austin area starting in January 2004 is looking for football players between the ages of 18-28. Must have actual team experience. An OPEN CASTING CALL will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2003 from Noon - 8pm; Friday, December 5 from Noon - 8pm and Saturday, December 6 from 4pm - 8pm at the Omni Office Tower (701 Brazos Street) on the 8th floor. For more information, please call their Football Hotline at (512) 860-3599.

The Fort Worth Star Telegram has more:

Prospective players must be age 18 to 28 and minimally have high school and some collegiate football experience. Candidates must be willing to forfeit any remaining college eligibility.

Open auditions will be held at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown (Eighth Street at San Jacinto, office tower, eighth floor) on Dec. 4, 5 and 6 (noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday) under the supervision of Hollywood veteran Allan Graf. Graf's 30-year career in motion pictures includes work as a second-unit director, stunt coordinator and football coordinator/choreographer on more than 100 feature films, including Jerry Maguire, The Replacements, Any Given Sunday, The Waterboy, The Program and Cheer Up, an Austin-based action-comedy "set in the cheerleading world of the University of Texas."

Players chosen during the open audition will be asked to return in January for a four-day tryout camp in Austin coordinated by Graf, who played offensive guard for coach John McKay's 1972 NCAA national championship team at the University of Southern California.

Those selected to join Graf's gridiron squad for the movie must then immediately commit to an eight- to 10-week rehearsal and shooting schedule.

[Note: To see all of the items at this weblog about the making of this movie click on the category "Friday Night Lights"].

Comments

[Bert9785]

And why exactly can they not make the movie, oh say, at Ratliff? Instead they have to make another stadium or a set in Austin look like ratliff.

[George]

I believe they did get some shots of a crowd scene recently at Ratliff. But, it's a darn shame they aren't going to film the action shots here - now that would have been fun to watch!

[greg r.gormley]

My name is Greg R Gormley. I was recently told of a casting call that was held over Dec 4-6. I was unable to attend but was told that your upcoming footballs movie needed some players. I was casted as the kicker in the 1998 Production of Varsity Blues where I worked with Mark Ellis and Coach Crowley, whom I believe is working this film. I kicked for the University of Arkansas and have been through NFL camps for my kicking. I would like to know if you would need a kicker, and if so, could I come out to the tryouts in January. Please call me. Coach Crowley would probably remember me. Greg Gormley. 565 4855 is my cell. Would love to help you guys out.

[George]

Greg,
The phone number that they published for that is (512) 860-3599. If that doesn't work then perhaps you could contact the Texas Film Commission, and maybe they can give you a contact number. Here's the internet contact link for that office:
Texas Film Commission

Good luck!

[George]

Greg,
Sorry, the link didn't come out in the previous comment. Here is the link to the Texas Film Commission contact page:
http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/film/about/contact_html

I don't know whether or not they can help you, but it can't hurt to try.

Good luck!

[shelley mallory]

I was wondering if they were going to use cheerleaders. I have been a cheerleader for 6 years in high school and currently cheer for Tarleton state University. I have power tumbling and stunting skills.You can call me at 254 965 6283 thanks Shelley

[Terry]

Casting call for football players will be January 24-25 in Austin for the one hour TV series. Allan Graf, 2nd unit director and stunt coordinater of Friday Nigh Lights, will be responsible for gathering players for the series.

[Colby Kerlin]

My name is Colby Kerlin and I'm interested in doing the audition for the football players, but I'm more interested in auditioning for the featured cast. I'm 21, have the look, alot of football experience (all backfield and secondary), with independent and major film experience and a strong texan accent. I could deff. play a football player but I feel like a featured cast part is meant for me. Is the football player auditions for the featured cast football players too or just football player extras? Any information would help. My cell is 936-581-1711 or email at [email protected] - Thanks, Colby Kerlin

[adrian sierra]

My name is adrian sierra and i am interested in the series and would like to play a part in the series. I have high school and college experince in football but you can contact me and the fallowing email

[adrian sierra]

my email is [email protected]

[Robert Jeffrey McCraw]

My name is Jeff McCraw I played High School football starting on both offense and defense and won MVP my senior year. I went on to play 2 years at a Jr College. I am 22 years old 6'1" and have the look. I have recently become a EMS and working on getting into the fire academy in Arizona.