‘Tasty parts’ up for grabs as Bristolians invited to audition for The Fence
AUDITIONS are set to take place next month for a highly anticipated film set in Hartcliffe.
More than four million people have watched short film The Fence on YouTube. Its writer-director William Stone, who shot it on a shoestring when he was a student, is now making a full-length version of the 1980s comedy drama.
The Fence is inspired by stories from William’s dad, who grew up in Hartcliffe. Showing the adventures of a council estate teenager trying to get back his stolen motorbike, it will be shot in Hartcliffe and other areas in and around Bristol.
William is encouraging Bristolians to apply for roles in the film, even if they do not have any acting experience.
William, 26, who spent much of his childhood in Hartcliffe, said: “Most of the main parts are for people around 16 to 26 years old, but there are several parts going for people from 30 to 60.
“We have five or six major speaking roles to fill. For extras and oneline parts, there are about 30 or 40 roles. We have a few crew positions too.”
Anyone interested is asked to fill in an application form, with a deadline of June 21. There will be a callout for video submissions next month, before in-person auditions towards the end of June.
Filming is planned to start in August with a view to release in May or June next year.
Though some of the main roles have been filled – with David Perkins returning from the short to play main character Steven Knight – there are “a couple of really highup supporting roles” yet to be taken, William said.
He said: “There are really tasty parts up for grabs. The main character has a group of friends around him. One of them is called Dennis, who is very malnourished. He has an abusive family but he’s supposed to be very funny. He’s the
joker, always winding people up and taking the mickey out of them.
“I’m not even sure what I want for the part - I don’t have an idea of what he looks or sounds like - but I’m looking for a real comedy screen presence, and also a sense of delicate vulnerability. The actor should have a playing age of about 17 to 21.”
William expects to have around 30 crew roles, with about 20 to 25 of
those to be filled by industry professionals based on recommendations. But he is open to applications for the last few positions.
“There will be opportunities for assistants, production assistants and trainee roles,” he said.
William hopes the project can give opportunities to young Bristolians who want to get into the film business, adding: “We feel very lucky to be in the position to be making this, and the best way for the film to do well is to embrace the regional aspect of it.”
As part of the film’s promotion, William has set up an online forum for people to have conversations about Hartcliffe stories and characters, retro bikes, 80s music and more.
You can apply to join the film’s cast or crew at https://tinyurl.com/ n864adrk