Local Film Casting - on location in Dulwich - Next week!

[MiloWlad]

Hello!

We're staging a production called The Multiple Myrtle Mysteries as part of Dulwich Park Fair on May 15th 2016. Our script explores Dulwich's rich history by sending a time-traveller back in time to meet the people that made Dulwich what it is today.

We've been immersing ourselves in all things Dulwich since the end of last year, running workshops, meeting people and researching like mad, and we've been developing this show that whole time -- to make something bespoke and special that will truly celebrate Dulwich.

A big part of the performance is short filmed segments that will be presented on a big-screen. These films chart the time-traveller's journey and the (real life) people she meets. We're looking for members of the community to play those individuals and we'd love for you to consider if you, or anyone you know, may be interested....

The show is ambitious (some might say bonkers), but a really fun project to be involved with!

CHARACTERS

Each part will be required for no more than a few hours in the Dulwich area. The tone of the film is fanciful and quirky, it'll be a chance to show off acting chops, wear a period costume and have a bit of a laugh!

Should it be desired, we are happy to share the final footage for showreels and we will pay expenses of ?50 for their time. We can be flexible with our timing to suit availability.

Henry Bessemer

http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/hst/scientific-identity/thumbnails/TNSIL14-B4-02.jpg

We are looking for a gentleman in his late-50s / early-60s to play industrialist and keen inventor Henry Bessemer. We imagine Bessemer to have a stuffy disposition with a hint of mad genius.

Bessemer was a prolific inventor, holding over 129 patents. Though his inventions revolutionised steel production, he also imagined some pretty niche inventions including The SS Bessemer, a steamship designed to eliminate sea-sickness, which he prototyped in his back garden on Denmark Hill.

John Logie Baird

http://great-inventors.weebly.com/uploads/1/6/1/2/16123768/5780061.jpg

We want our John Logie Baird, the inventor of the television, to be in his early-50s. The part requires a quirky charm and good comic timing. Logie Baird was from Scotland so an accent, or the ability to do one, would be great!

Not all of Baird's inventions were as successful as the TV. In his earlier years, he tried to create diamond by heating graphite and managed to short out the whole of Glasgow's electricity supply!

Hiram Stevens Maxim

http://home.frognet.net/~ejcov/hsm1915-2.jpg

Another brilliant inventor, our story picks him up at the age of 70, but could be someone in their mid to late 60s. Having moved from Maine to the UK at the age of 41, he had a New England accent. The ability to do one, would be a big bonus for us! We can provide the beard though.

As well as inventing the Maxim machine gun, he patented a bronchitis inhaler (he was a lifelong sufferer) and a fairground ride called 'The Captive Flying Machines', which still runs today in Blackpool.

Margaret Finch

'Queen of the Gipsies' Margaret Finch, is another example of Dulwich's fascinating former residents. Ideally we're looking for a woman with dark features who can sit in the above position (from a habit of sitting on the ground with her chin on her knees, generally with a pipe in her mouth and attended by her faithful dog, her sinews became so contracted that she could not rise from her posture!)

Finch was a popular personality visited by many to have their fortunes told. It's thought Samuel Pepys may have referred to her in his diary when he wrote: 'This afternoon my wife, and Mercer, and Deb went with Pelling to see the gypsies and have their fortunes told; but what they did I did not enquire.' Too bad for us.

If you want to get involved, but don't fancy the acting bit, perhaps you can help us by providing a location?

LOCATIONS

A beautiful garden - we're looking to film in a lovely garden, standing in for the home of Hiram Maxim. Colourful flowers a must. If you think you might be able to help us, we'd be happy to take extra shots of your garden to provide you with.

An Edwardian house - we're looking for a room (preferably a living room or dining room) that could double for John Logie Baird's home in 1940. We will lightly dress it to make it more authentically of the period, without upsetting the room at all.

Both locations will require very small and respectful crew (no more than 5 people) and minimal fuss. It should take no more than a couple of hours and we are happy to pay ?50 as compensation.

Exact times are reasonably flexible, but we're looking to film on either Friday 15th or Sunday 17th of May.

Interested? Email me: [email protected]

We're so looking forward to working with you, so please do not hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to find out more or, better yet, express an interest in taking part! Even if you don't fit the profiles of any of the above characters and don't have a garden or room we can film in, we'd still like to hear from you - there's plenty of other ways to get involved in this project.

Thanks so much,

Simon and Emma

www.ryninks.co.uk

[caz]

Sounds interesting.