The Indianapolis times., 1928-04-18
BY DAN THOMAS
NEA Service Writer

HOLLYWOOD, Calf, April 18.--
Il Il One of the most important
features in the production of 4 mo-
ton picture is the selection Of the
characters-"ca casting it is called in
celluloid circles.
For this job each studio maintains
its own casting director and his as
sistants. Aiding them very mater
tally is the Central Casting Bureau,
through which all "eXtraS" are Sc
cured.
In the usual routine the star or
stars are the first ones selected.
This generally is done by the pro-
ducer or director, rather than the
casting director The task is often
simplified by the fact that the story
has been written for a particular
actor or actress. III other in
stances much difficulty arises over
the fact that the star desired is tied
up in some other production. In
that case a substitute must be Sc
lected.
Two Types of Stars
Many of our pictures today have
no stars-that is, the picture itself
is featured above any particular
player. The leading members Of the
cast in such instances are called
featured players" In Hollywood
there is a definite line drawn be-
tween a star and a featured player.
A star must be big enough to
carry a picture on the strength of
his, or her, name alone. A featured
player, while his name has box Of
flee value, is not expected to be the
prime factor in drawing the crowds.
There are the title OF the film and
one or two other names" to help
out. For example, Colleen Moore is
a star. Her name brings them in.
Evelyn Brent is a featured player.
Her name merely adds strength to
the attraction.
In the field of featured players
the casting director nearly always
has his choice of several persons for
each part. There is always more
than one to fit almost any type of
Characterization. Here, too, the di-
rector often takes a hand and a
dozen or more persons are often
given screen tests for single part.
Tests Are Costly
These tests seemingly are a part
of the unnecessary waste that goes
on in every Hollywood studio. Every
test given costs the company be-
tween $50 and 500. Yet many di-
rectors insist upon giving tests to
each prospect, despite the fact that
they have seen them upon the
screen numerous times.
If they are unfamiliar with a
players work, it is simple mat
ter to get film or cut-outS from a
film in which the player worked
And in nine out of ten cases a
player is far more realistic in an
actual scene than in q test.
Next come the "bit" actors
players who have small, unimpor-
tant roles. Each casting director
has on his desk a Standard Casting
Directory containing classified pho
tographs of free-lancers. Most of
them also have photographs of
players on contract 20 other com
| panieS.
All studios loan their players when
they can't keep them busy at home.
With the aid of his directory and
other lists, the casting director sum-
mons half a dozen persons of the
type desired and then makes his Sc
lection.
Another aid to the casting di-
rector is in the great body of man
ayers and agents who inhabit the
picture colony. These men earn
their living by securing work for
their clients. They are in constant
touch with all studios watching for
every part which they might secure
for one of their players.