Auditions are next week for film in Sylvania

Toledo producers plan legal drama-love story

4/6/2011

A Toledo movie production company plans to shoot a feature film in Sylvania this summer and fall -- if it can find the right people to play the leading roles.

To that end, Mantis and Moon Moving Pictures and Sound will hold casting auditions next week in search of candidates for several dozen speaking roles in its legal drama/love story that is to include extended scenes at the Sylvania Police Department and Sylvania Municipal Court.

"They have opened up their doors and made it easy for us," said Jesus "Chuy" Delosantos, Mantis and Moon's production coordinator, who described the story as "a love story meets a John Grisham legal drama."

The only thing that could keep the film from shooting later this year is trouble finding the right cast.

"It really is dependent on us being able to find the right people," Mr. Delosantos said. "If we can't find the right people, we may not shoot it."

The lead characters for "Society" are to be a male 35 to 45 and a female 25 to 35, but not just anyone in those age ranges can qualify: they need to speak Spanish and English -- preferably Colombian-accented Spanish.

But those who don't meet the bilingual requirement for the marquee roles still have plenty of opportunities to read for the business people, corporate staff, attorneys, and judges included in the script.

There are 38 adult speaking roles in the script, Mr. Delosantos said. Some auditions have already been held, particularly for children's roles, while the open auditions will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce, 5632 North Main St.

Pat Nowak, the chamber's executive director, said she has read the script "and it's an amazing drama."

Having a movie shoot in Sylvania could be "a lot of fun for the community," she said.

Professional acting experience is not required, although those who do have audition tapes, resumes, or other career documentation are encouraged to send that information to the production company at mantisandmoon.com or 419-535-7482.

Besides the speaking parts, Mr. Delosantos said, the film will need "tons of extras" for street and crowd scenes, and 1970s-era vehicles to drive and park on Sylvania streets to support the story's time setting.

Mantis and Moon is best known for its nature documentaries, he said, including "Thunder on the Farm," photographed on the Delta farm of Cap Averill II, the film company's principal and the director, writer, and producer for "Society".

But the company also produced "Out of the Shadows," a feature that won Best Drama at the International High Definition Festival, Mr. Delosantos said.

Ms. Nowak said picturesque small towns like Sylvania "have a lot to offer" movie producers, and Society could be just a starting point.

"If one movie's made here, and it's successful, who knows?" she said.