Autobots in the ATX
Is there more than meets the eye to the Transformers Texas casting call?
Austin residents should be extra careful this summer, because the next fixed-gear bike or gourmet donut truck you see could just happen to be a robot in disguise...
For most of June, Austin will become ground zero for the next adrenaline-soaked, machismo-infused blockbuster from action auteur Michael Bay. The director will helm the next untitled installment in the blockbuster Transformers series, and he wants Texans to be a part of it. Just make sure that you have “strong character faces” that can exude a “larger than life TEXAS personality.”
Beth Sepko Casting and Third Coast Extras recently posted casting calls on Facebook to attract some warm bodies to fill in during Austin production from June 3 – 20.
The most recent post takes Texas typecasting to a new level. To make sure that audiences get the clear impression that the film is taking place in the Lone Star State, the post asks for:
Ranchers, oil men and women, realtor types that sell Dallas mansions, small town salt of the earth types, and strong southern-looking men & women- with faces that have a real local Texas flavor to their look and uniqueness!
Sorry, hipsters! You’ll have to wait until next time to appear in a Bay flick.
The call also makes sure to specify that those extras must not submit professional headshots; only casual photos will be accepted because “this director wants to see your current everyday appearance.” Michael Bay is a devotee of cinéma vérité, obviously.
You might be asking yourself, “Wait, this is a Michael Bay film. Has he forgotten about the young, pretty white people?” Have no fear, because Transformers 4 is also in need of female Caucasian extras that happen to be “between the ages of 16 – 23 fit, tan, attractive with an ‘all-American’ Texas type look.”
While details are still scarce about the next Transformers sequel, it will somehow involve “Marky” Mark Wahlberg teaming up with Optimus Prime to save some Texas oilmen, ranchers, realtors and part-time fitness models from the next diabolical threat from the Decepticons. But perhaps when it come to this casting call, there is more than meets the eye.
