Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-28
CASTING HEAD TELLS
HOW ASPIRANTS ARE
CHOSEN FOR MOVIES

0E,OR what qualities do you look in
i persons applying for work in mo-
tion picturesf" '..
The question was put to Fred Dntig,
casting director at Universal City.
Broadly speaking replied Mr..
Datig, 1T is not In my province to
look for new qualities or new talent.
There are several thousand experienced,
capable players registered In my office,
covering every type and temperament
required in making pictures. I have
met all Of them personally and seen
them all play various parts In different
photodramas. A full description Of each
is card -indexed in my files, while / have
a mental picture Of each in different
roles.
when director brings me a man
uscript of n story to be cast l run over
ans visualize some player az ideal for
every character in the play. After
asking number of these actors out to
the studio. where we talk about salary,
wardrobe and other details. in some in
stances asking the advice of the director
or star, we select the cast of princi-
pals.
but what chance has a newcomer
In motion pictures, and what qualities
recommend him or her for considera-
tion?' the questioner continued.
CIT IS in a minor role, or even as an
l. extra that new faces make their
appearance before the camera. Even
for these humble roles there nre thou
sands of persons registered In every
studio.
but now and then some unusually
pretty face or some striking person
aity will compel the attention Of the
casting director, and the possessor is
given a chance to appear in n picture.
"As the art of the screen is primarily
visual 1t is our intention first to please
the eye. If the applicant is n woman.
good looks are the first requisite; but
in the long run personality and intclli-
gencc are the qualities which will win
success. To this must be added ambt-
ton and the Willingness to undergo the
hardships of tho game.
From my years of experience in in
tcrviewing applicants for the screen /
can easily determine whether n girl is
In earnest and sincere or attracted to
the studio by the glamour of the pro-
fcssion. The latter type will assure you
It Is her lifelong ambition to become an
actress. but | can generally detect the
vanity of the applicant. She may be
given chance to do atmospheric or
purely decorative work, but will seldom
rise above that station.
"Thc person who Is really sincere and
ambitious vii! soon make an impression
on the film. and If he or she possesses
a degree of talent, is in line for promo
ton.
owe are always looking for unique
personalities. A sparkling eye. SEN
sitivc mouth, a distinctive carriage. an
individual way of holding the head or
unusually expressive features will al
WAYS interest the casting director. and
he will give the applicant an oppor-
tunity. even as nm extra or in very
minor part, to discover any latent pos
sibilitics.
MT1HEORETICALLi, motion pic
L turo producers are always locking
for new faces and for material for fu-
ture stars. But these cannot be dis
covered in the beginner. We must wait
until an actor displays unusual talent
in some unusual role. :,
"For instance. Priscilla nenn piayed
at Universal for more than year be-
fore she found her opportunity. In
Even as You and L she was given the
role OF baby vamn.' and displayed
tho dynamic personality which has since
made her famous.
Edith Roberts played In comedies
for a long time until n two. .recler. The
BABY Bandit revealed that unusual
dramatic ability which has since en-
dcared her to the public.
"Gladys Walton, a mere child, played
the ingenue role In Lyons and Moran
comedy with such charm and appeal
that she was soon elevated to stellar
prominence. 49,.
''To sum up the matter. the qualities
we look for in an applicant are youth,
'ooks. personality. brains and ambition.
some of these qualities are obvious.
others may be- perceived by the cx-
pcrienccd director. and that elusive
quality. personality. must be guessed
at and finally left to the verdict of the
public