As the release of SOUL ON FIRE draws nearer, Joey Paul Jensen took a minute to chat with Kake Multimedia and answered a few questions about her experience casting the project. The new official trailer from SONY is running on screens everywhere and the feature is announced to come out October 18 in 2000 plus screens around the country. It’s a powerful story from the director of SOUL SURFER, that is wonderful for families and all audiences. Joey Paul Jensen cast the film and also did a nationwide search for the boy who did the lead. Check out some of our conversation below.
Q: How do you do a nation-wide search for a 10 year old boy?
A: (Joey) It’s a tricky process. We put out notices on the internet. We put out notices to agencies around the country that represent kids.We knew he had to look like the real John O’Leary so we had that to guide us. Plus we knew the personality of John so that made it easier.
Q: How long did the process take?
A: (Joey) It took a good 3 months and we looked at at least 1000 boys from all over. In a way, this is one of the easier nation-wide searches I have done. The boy had to have some resemblance to the real John, so you pick looks, faces and a feel for the real person. Then we send audition material to all those chosen Next we look at all the auditions of the 1000 boys and narrow it down to about 10 for the director to look at along with the producers. Finally, they narrow it down from there. After a few callbacks the actor is chosen.
Q: Is it fun to look at 1000 people and then dismiss 999 of them?
A: (Joey) It’s fun to discover the person who you believe is the one for the part. Yet, it is very difficult having to reject so many others who may be super talented but
doesn’t feel right for the role.
Q: Are nationwide searches common to find young actors?
A: (Joey) They are not all that common. It’s a very time consuming process to look at the acting of a 1000 boys? I have a real passion and feel great joy in watching actors. Plus even if someone isn’t the right actor for the search, maybe they are right for different part other than the main character.
Q: Did the actor ever read live or was it all on tape?
A: (Joey) On the final audition we did it live on zoom. Plus all our actors we narrowed down to were all over the country so could arrange the time around the actor depending on their time zone.
Q: Do open calls really work?
A: (Joey) Yes, they do. Open calls are just as legit. If you are chosen to put yourself on tape from an open call it means they love your photo and resume and you have a real chance. Open Calls are not a publicity stunt to get more people to see the movie.
SYNOPSIS
Directed by Sean McNamara (SOUL SURFER, REAGAN), written by Gregory Poirier and based on O’Leary’s bestselling memoir, On Fire, this film is an emotional and faith-filled portrait of resilience as O’Leary not only battles to survive but ultimately discovers what it means to truly live. From frontline workers to family members, and the support of the wider community, this film is a celebration of heroes.