Wanted: ‘Real people’ for new Van Sant film

Novices welcome to audition for movie about suicidal rocker

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Feb 20, 2004, Updated Oct 30, 2009

“Actors? We don’t need no stinkin’ actors!”

(Can you read the line again, please? With a little more angst this time.)

• • •

It’s going to be like “American Idol,” only you won’t have to sing. Acclaimed Portland filmmaker Gus Van Sant has sent out a local casting call for his next movie, “Last Days.”

The film will be a fictional account of the final days of a suicidal rock star. Given Van Sant’s Northwest roots, it might seem natural to conclude that the story will be framed around the life of former Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. However, Dawnn Pavonnis, office manager of Pie Films, the Portland-based production company formed by Van Sant and producer Dany Wolf, points out that “a lot of rock stars have committed suicide.”

Van Sant plans to begin shooting the film in April in Portland. He is seeking men and women ages 16 to 25 for both principal and extra roles.

Publicity materials stress that no acting experience is necessary. “We are interested in real people,” a news release from Pie Films states. “We want to meet all types of people with interesting personalities and style.”

The Feb. 29 casting call will be held at Portland Public Schools’ Child Services Center, 531 S.E. 14th Ave. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Van Sant cast most of the roles in “Elephant,” his most recent film, the same way.

Even though “Last Days” is about a rock star, Pavonnis says people should dress the way they normally do, not like Marilyn Manson.

“Unless they’re a goth kid and always dress that way,” she said.

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