Coast moviemakers seek actors for film shooting in Jackson County

Writer Schledia Benefield and a team of local moviemakers plan to produce a full-length feature film in Jackson County based on Benefield's faith-based book "Wildflowers."

Screen actors for "Wildflowers" must be willing to work for little or no payment. A casting call is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. Jan. 15 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Gautier Convention Center, 2012 Library Lane, Gautier.

Benefield is the author of two other young adult novels, "Plain Jane" and "Pretty Boy." She grew up in Escatawpa and is writing a fantasy series under the pen name Kleona Meuse. She and her family live in Big Point. She worked with teenagers for eight years as a youth minister and speaks to high school students and women's groups.

Most of the "Wildflowers" crew are Mississippi Coast residents. Karen Forsman Ballinger, the project's director, is a Pascagoula native whose film projects include "Ripbo: Second Time Around," "Dual for the Day" and "Goodnight Dear." Ronnie Blakeney, the film's producer and co-director, produced the 2005 film "Songs About Your Girlfriend."

Friday's main focus will be to seek potential leads and cast for the following:

Aster -- white man between 18 and 25, dark hair, blue eyes; bad-boy look

Susan -- white woman between 18 and 25, blonde hair, brown eyes; innocent look

Shane -- white man between 18 and 25; preppy look

Sharon (Susan's mom) -- white woman between 40 and 50; attractive, wealthy

Speaking parts for Saturday casting:

Loretta (Aster's mom) -- white woman between 40 and 50; beautiful yet aged by alcohol

Eva (Aster's sister) --15/16 years

Eva as a 6-year-old girl -- same color hair as Eva the teen

Aster as an 8-year-old boy -- dark hair

Angie -- woman between 18 and 25

Mrs. Howard -- woman between 35 and 60

High school secretary -- woman of no specific age or appearance

High school principal -- black man between 50 and 60

Pastor of Susan's church -- man of no specific age or appearance

Mrs. Glass -- woman of no specific age or appearance

Mr. Simmers -- man of no specific age or appearance

Marshall (detective) -- man of no specific age or appearance

Brad (gym owner) -- man of no specific age or appearance

Daisy Mae -- 5-year-old blonde girl

Nurses (2) -- men or women of no specific age or appearance

Desk clerk (police station) -- man of no specific age or appearance

Lieutenant Watkins -- man of no specific age or appearance

Tim -- man of no specific age or appearance

Those who audition but are not assigned a part may volunteer as extras for various small-crowd scenes.

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 6:42 PM with the headline "Coast moviemakers seek actors for film shooting in Jackson County ."