Casting Call: Extras and Bigger Roles for 'White Boy Rick' Movie Scenes

Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly said some scenes are being shot in Detroit. "We are happy to look at actors in Detroit who are willing to work in Cleveland. We have cast several out of Detroit already," casting director Angela Boehm tells Deadline.

Film director Yann Demange wants "real people" with a 1980s look as background actors in "White Boy Rick." A few larger parts also are available in the movie being shot currently in Detroit and Cleveland.

Applications are invited from black roller skaters, black teens, black boys 7-12, two black women and white adults and children of all ages. (See list below.)

A northern Ohio talent agency, Angela Boehm Casting, is screening candidates who email photos and contact information. An industry site announcement says:

"White Boy Rick" is now casting background extras and actors for featured roles in the movie. Filming will take place in Detroit, Michigan and producers are looking for talent that are able to work on the movie as it continues filming through early June. . . .

The movie’s director is hand-selecting a large majority of these background jobs and talent may have to audition for a spot in the movie. . . .

"White Boy Rick" is set in Detroit in the 1980s during the height of the crack epidemic and centers around the true story of Richard Weshe Jr., a teenager who became an undercover informant at 14 before becoming a major drug dealer until he was arrested at age 17.

It stars Matthew McConaughey as Wershe's father, Jennifer Jason Leigh as an FBI agent and Bruce Dern and Piper Laurie as Wershe’s grandparents. Fifteen-year-old Richie Merritt of Baltimore has the title role, his first in a studio film.

The movie is scheduled for release next January by Sony Pictures.

Applicants can register here to be in the Ohio agency's database before sending up to three photos, a phone number and the subject line mentioned below for each role. The address is angela@angelaboehmcasting.com.

"Avoid headshots," the agency says. "The director wants real people. Make sure they are current photos."

Because of the 1980s setting, neck Ink and sleeve tattoos are a deal-breaker. "Anyone interested should grow their hair out and grow sideburns," the casting team suggests.

These parts are open:

Roller skaters: African Americans for a few scenes expected to be shot in May. Need flexible schedule. Put "Skaters" in email subject ine.
Male teen: African American, 18 or 17, for a featured role as the boyfriend of a principal actress. Use "Boyfriend" atop email.
Boys 7-12: Three African Americans. Subject: Neighbor Boys.
Teen: 13-16. if you have a bike, tell what kind and send a photo.Subject: Teen on Bike.
Heavyset woman: African American. Subject: Pizza Cook.
Middle-aged woman: African American, 45-55. If you have a dog, please include a photo of the pet. Subject: Neighbor with Dog.
White adults and kids: Both genders, all ages. Subject: Gun Show. (Pay is minimum wage, based on an eight-hour day.)

The casting agency describes its process:

We will be going through several steps to hire people as extras. First, we approve the photos, then the AD [assistant director] approves, then we will schedule a video audition for 80% of our extras. Most potential extras will be asked to meet with the director, then hired.

So if you don’t hear back right away, you are probably going through the process; please keep yourself available.

This particular director is placing a strong emphasis on the background. He is hand-selecting these actors. If you are part of this industry because of the creativity involved, this is one set you will want to be on. So when submitting please plan to be flexible and ready to be on set at any time because the director will decide who he wants in the film first, then where he wants them. . . . The possibility of upgrades and features is very possible. . . .