A Leaping Duel

I had an open casting call at the studio yesterday. While it was a surprisingly low attendance, especially In this economy ©, it was great to see my friend Jerome Bethea, whom I just recently worked with in January.  In this image Jerome is demonstrating his high-end Japanese style advertising skill.  The prompt for this expert showmanship was, “show me your best Japanese potato chip pitch.”

The art of casting is such an interesting study in human interactions, from the manner in which people enter a new room to the manner in which they make their presence known.  In most scenarios models are in front of the casting camera for less than a minute or two max and it’s fascinating observing their attempts to make or not make an impression in such a minuscule time frame.  Some arrive on set with full tilt smiles, laughing, and joking and I have had others deliver full on bitch diva mode.  Some people you both respect and simultaneously wonder how they are even there due to debilitating shyness.  In the brief moment we share that room we both try to make a connection, some link either to help us understand the others potential or simply to move through the moment.  There is such a marriage of social nicety and sincere inquiry in a casting.   Watching a photographer and model who both truly understand the art is what I would imagine a samurai duel embodied.  A challenge dyed in a code of respect and yet rife with the calculating predatory motions of finely tuned professionals.  At the conclusion of the encounter there is either the bonded respect and friendship or the bled out corpse of a ill prepared adversary lying on the ground.

Those whom you take with you are often intriguing and passionate individuals you keep with you.  I met my wife on a casting call and I proudly claim friends from some of those one minute encounters.  Jerome is one of those and one who shows up with such an infectious excitement that you know his leaping thumbs up grin is from the heart. To all of those whom I have encountered and to all those I can’t wait to explore I must offer you my thanks and I look forward to our next duel/casting.