In The Mix

"No casting director can truly say, 'I knew he was gonna be a star' - because that's a bunch of baloney.
Casting is a game of gut instinct. You feel their talent and potential in the pit of your stomach. It's about guts and luck."

-- Marion Dougherty

EYES…

A pair of insightful EYES behind colorful glasses studying: THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK IN FRAGMENTS -- dodging, weaving, laughing, arguing -- so many characters out there.

INT. WAITING ROOM - MIRA’S OFFICE - DAY

A casting office. Film and television show posters line the walls. An assistant, JENNY, 22, sits at her desk in front of a door that leads to the audition room.

A few chairs and a ratty old sofa are stuffed into the room. Three male ACTORS, all late 20s, handsome, sit quietly. They alternate between looking at their sides and their phones without trying to look at each other.

EXT. STREET - MIRA’S OFFICE - SAME TIME

Those eyes and funky glasses belong to MIRA ZIMMERMAN -- intimidating, warmhearted, and disheveled at the same time -- as she finishes her cigarette and heads inside.

INT. WAITING ROOM - MIRA'S OFFICE - SAME TIME

RING! The silence breaks as Jenny answers the landline phone at her desk.

JENNY
(brightly)
Mira Zimmerman Casting. This is Jenny.
(then, fearful)
Mira just stepped away for a moment, so --
Okay, um, whom may I ask is calling again? May I please take a message?

One of the actors, peaks over at his neighbor:

HEAVY NOTES ACTOR
Hey, were you just in that Roundabout Underground play with Alysia?

CLEAN SCRIPT ACTOR
Yeah man, you came?

HEAVY NOTES ACTOR
I couldn’t make it, but I heard you all crushed it. Word is the show may transfer...

CLEAN SCRIPT ACTOR
That’s what they’re saying man, but I don’t know. I’m looking for that TV money.
Send me to Vancouver and pay my rent.

A quiet actor looks up from his phone and approaches Jenny’s desk.

Jenny is still on the phone, trying desperately not to cry.

JENNY
No, sir -- Yes, I understand how that could -- I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize --

QUIET ACTOR
Restroom?

Jenny closes her eyes and covers her face with her other hand. The quiet actor tries to get Jenny’s attention until he hears a confident voice --

MIRA (O.S.)
Restroom is down the hall, two lefts, past the dance studio and the busted snack machine.

Mira steps firmly into the room. She holds up a large wooden block with a tiny key attached.

MIRA (CONT’D)
Take the key.
(then)
And spritz a little water in your hair. It’s looking a bit fuzzy.

As the quiet actor exits, Mira places a calm hand on Jenny’s phone.

MIRA (CONT’D)
Jenny, sweetness, who’s on the line?

JENNY
Phillip Whitaker at BKA. He’s really angry at me. I was putting out tape appointments for Friday
and I c-mailed Sam Nixon’s manager, but I didn’t realize he’s also with BKA,
since it wasn’t listed, and I know we have the offer --
(spiraling)
I guess I really messed up. I’m so sorry.
(re: phone)
He’s still yelling...

MIRA
He’s just a talent agent, dear. A little man in a tight suit.
Remember, they can’t jump out of the phone. Place him on hold.

INT. AUDITION ROOM - MIRA’S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

A small audition room. A window that faces a brick wall, a desk covered in papers and food wrappers, a camcorder on a tripod, a few LED lights pointed at a blue painted wall.

Mira sits at her desk and unwraps a Tootsie Roll as she picks up the phone.

MIRA
(into phone)
Pip, it’s Mira. What did I do this time?

PIP’S VOICE
(through phone)
You need to fire your assistant. She’s completely useless.

MIRA
(into phone)
I remember a time not so long ago when you were a useless assistant, Pippy.
Hand delivering the BKA Christmas cards, you were such a go-getter.

PIP’S VOICE
(through phone)
Why the hell are you still reading for the lead in ‘Sunburst’ when
there’s a straight offer out to my client? It’s insulting.

JULIAN, 35, an ambitious commercial-turned-first-time-film director, enters with producers MICHAELA, 40, and YOSHI, 38, in tow. They give Mira quiet hugs and take their seats at the table.

YOSHI
(mock contrition)
Sorry, sorry! Blame the producers.

MICHAELA
Spare our director.

JULIAN
Mira, is that BKA? Where are we at?

MIRA
(into phone)
Maybe we’re auditioning other actors because we start shooting in Romania in one week,
need the role to travel for a fitting in three days and your client hasn’t even read the script,
which he’s had for close to a month. Does he need me to read it to him, because I’m a wiz at voices.

PIP’S VOICE
(through phone)
We want more money.

JULIAN
It has to be him, Mira. Studio publicity loves it.

PIP’S VOICE
(through phone)
Who else could possibly be in the mix because I’m fielding multiple offers for this kid.
You know how many followers he’s got on TikTok? It’s insane. He’s pinned for ‘White Lotus’. Pinned!

MIRA
If only he could act...

PIP’S VOICE
(through phone)
He’s like all of the Chris’s combined. Hemsworth, Evans, Pine --

MIRA
Plumber, Cooper, Kristofferson --

JULIAN
(nervous)
Should I talk to him? Convince him?

MIRA
(to Julian, handing candy)
Have a Tootsie Roll.
(into phone)
There’s no extra money hiding under the bed, Pip. This one’s a star-maker, so take the deal or pass.
Either way I plan to cast this part. Now I have a session to run, and if you ever yell at my assistant again --

PIP’S VOICE
(through phone, shaken)
My name is Phillip!

The phone line goes dead.

JULIAN
So, do you think he’s ultimately a yes?

MIRA
Let’s get started.

TIME CUT TO:

INT. AUDITION ROOM - MIRA'S OFFICE - LATER

Jenny runs the mini camcorder. We focus in on the tiny viewing screen:

MONTAGE OF AUDITIONS OVER MUSIC

- Mira welcomes a series of actors into the room

- The actors read the same dramatic scene

- Julian and the producers have some awkward, some enjoyable interactions with the actors

- Mira shows out the actors from the room

END MONTAGE

Mira shows out the last actor and turns to the team.

MIRA
So that’s the group. Some highs and lows in there,
but a lot of strong variety with true breakout potential. See, this is why I still advocate
for in-person sessions. Maybe I’m the dinosaur, but I believe sometimes we have to put on pants and
duke it out face to face. That said, what are we thinking? Who’s sparking? Anyone you want to see demo on?

Julian, Michaela and Yoshi look uncertain.

JULIAN
Should we call Phillip Whitaker back? Up the offer? I knew we should have packaged this.

MICHAELA
Maybe I can push the studio on budget a little more...

YOSHI
I don’t recognize any of those guys from anything. These are your selects?
Nobody from ‘Euphoria’ or ‘The Bear’? ‘Beef’, people love ‘Beef’!

MICHAELA
(good idea!)
What about ‘Beef’?!

MIRA
There’s a real opportunity for discovery here. A fresh face. Wouldn’t that be exciting?

Mira waits for a response from the team...crickets.

KNOCK, KNOCK! The door behind Mira opens to find a scruffy young man, BILLY, 27, carrying an iced coffee and an open JanSport backpack.

BILLY
Whoops, sorry. I didn’t see a sign in. Just wanted to -- I have a 3:30, but I’m a little late?
Subway shit. Hi everybody, I’m Billy. Are you Nira?

Billy holds out his hand for Mira to shake.

MIRA
It’s Mira.
(confused)
Jenny, what’s happening? Who is this?

Jenny rushes forward and attempts to lead Billy out of the room.

JENNY
Billy, your appointment is actually for tomorrow with the initial pre-reads.
You should check in with your reps.

BILLY
For real? I’ve been trapped in my studio apartment doing self-tapes
and Zooms since the pandemi’, so I guess I just got overexcited to act with real live humans
and spaced the date. Any chance y’all can see me now? Since I’m here?

MIRA
There’s a whole vetting process before reaching the creative team.
We’ll see you tomorrow, Billy. With the pre-reads.

JULIAN
It’s fine, Mira. Our prep call was pushed by thirty. We have some time.

MIRA
(uncomfortable)
Really? Okay, sure. Come on in, kid. It’s your lucky day. Billy, this is Julian our director and
fearless leader, along with producers Michaela and Yoshi.
Did you happen to bring a headshot and resume?

Billy riffles through his backpack, a sweatshirt, Nintendo Switch, and work ID fall out.

BILLY
Yes, definitely. It’s in here, somewhere -- Got it.

Billy pulls out two separate crumpled papers. He hands the headshot and resume to Mira.

BILLY (CONT’D)
Do you have a stapler?

MIRA
(re: headshot/resume)
We’ll manage. Nice photo. Your eyes are so, what color are your eyes?

BILLY
(stumped)
. . . I forget.

MIRA
Oh, you’re repped by Oliver? We’re old friends. He’s a dream, right?

BILLY
Yeah, no, I’m not really with Oliver, technically. I know -- or used to date -- his assistant, Sunita,
and she kind of hip-pockets me for now. But I put Oliver on there since nobody knows Sunita yet.
She’s totally cool though. Do you know Sunita?

MIRA
(moving on)
Let’s jump into the scenes, shall we?

BILLY
Sick! I only learned scene two if that’s okay.

Off Mira’s pained expression...

TIME CUT TO:

INT. AUDITION ROOM - MIRA'S OFFICE - LATER

Julian, Michaela and Yoshi at the table, looking like they want to die. Julian scrolls through his phone.

Billy, struggling with his eyes on his sides, finishes the scene. Mira reads across from him.

MIRA
(as reader)
“This case is tearing us apart, Jack. Your mother isn’t the only one staring down
the death penalty. Our marriage is next. Can’t you see that?”

BILLY
(bad Southern accent)
Can I...can I...oh, uh…“I’ll tell you what I see, Shailene”...uh...”Hope. Yes, hope. I know that sounds naive.
But so does justice. They say America is the Shining City on the Hill. And I means to prove it.
I’ll make it shine like a sunburn--sunburst. Just you watch.”

MIRA
Scene. Thanks for coming in, Billy.

BILLY
I added a little improv in the middle there, for character. I hope that’s okay.

MIRA
Jenny will show you out.

BILLY
I had fun. Thanks everybody.

Jenny leads Billy out of the room. Mira turns to the group.

MIRA
Well that was...very sweet of you all to stick around.

Julian and the group approach Mira with dead seriousness.

JULIAN
You need to close the deal with Whitaker or we’re screwed, Mira.

MIRA
I’ll find the right guy. You don’t want to just cast some algorithm in designer jeans. You need to trust me.

JULIAN
Should I, because we’re out of time and this is who you’re bringing in?

Julian and team exit.

MIRA
(somewhat stunned)
He was a pre-read.

Mira glances down at Billy’s headshot. Considering, uncertain, she jots down a note we don’t see.

EXT. MIRA'S OFFICE - EVENING

Mira quietly finishes a cigarette. Her tired eyes continue to search the crowd.

INT. AUDITION ROOM - MIRA'S OFFICE - LATER

Mira and Jenny sit on the floor surrounded by actor materials and a spread of late night sushi. Mira rubs her eyes.

MIRA
Let’s pin Paula for the bookkeeper. It’s a day player, but
she needs one more job for her insurance to kick in. Where are we on the sheriff?

JENNY
I like Victor for that one, but do you think he and the guy
we have for the mechanic look like brothers?

MIRA
Are those characters written as brothers?

JENNY
Uh, no.

MIRA
Have Victor shave the beard.
(then)
Sorry, I’m exhausted.

JENNY
Should we call it a night?

MIRA
Casting is a dead end, dear. Get out while the getting’s good.

JENNY
You don’t mean that.

MIRA
I’m serious. I don’t recognize this business anymore. Maybe the movies have changed?
Maybe I’ve changed? Maybe I just got old. They have no idea how much we bleed for these projects,
sifting through dirt for that perfect fit. Sometimes, it takes years. Discover them, nurture them, inspire them,
challenge them, persuade them, book them, deliver them. No support, barely any credit, but that’s the gig —
or at least, it used to be. And I loved it. I don’t know. Maybe I've lost my touch.
Maybe I’m done. Maybe I should just...
(difficult)
teach.

JENNY
You’d make a terrible teacher.

MIRA
(heartfelt)
Thanks, Jenny. What are you doing stuck on the floor here with me?

Jenny pulls out Billy’s work ID from under a chair and hands it to Mira.

JENNY
Looking for lost IDs.

Mira study’s Billy’s ID. She pulls up his crumpled headshot.

JENNY (CONT’D)
Billy’s kind of sweet for a total dweeb.

Mira takes her hands and covers Billy’s face, leaving only his eyes visible.

MIRA
Come with me.

INT. CLOSET/STORAGE SPACE - MIRA’S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

Standing on a chair, Mira locates and pulls one of many heavy bankers boxes off a high shelf and hands it to Jenny.

Mira inspects the box -- it’s labeled: GOOD FACES - FILM/TV/MINI/MOW - HEADSHOTS/RESUMES - 1975-85

Sifting through the box, Mira rummages past black and white glamour shots straight out of the 1980s. Big hair, leather, oversized suits, triptychs of shoddy costumes.

JENNY
(mystified)
Oh my god. These are the holy grail.

Mira pulls out a slightly crumpled headshot.

Mira flips over the headshot and spots her notes on top. The note, circled and underlined, reads: VERY GREEN. KIND EYES. SOMETHING THERE???

Mira brings up Billy’s headshot and places the two side by side. The notes are identical. She flips over the other headshot.

The other headshot belongs to a young TOM HANKS.

MIRA
(considering)
Something there?

The office phone rings. Jenny grabs it.

JENNY
Mira Zimmerman Casting.
(on hold, to Mira)
Phillip Whitaker/BKA.

MIRA
Hang up.

Mira pulls up Billy’s work ID. It reads: TRIBECA CAFE.

INT. TRIBECA CAFE - THE NEXT DAY

Mira sits at the bar.

She watches Billy chat up a CUTE CUSTOMER from behind the bar at the other end. Billy has the customer giggling, then he spots Mira starring at him.

Billy approaches Mira. Mira is about to speak, but suddenly, Billy hands her a menu.

BILLY
Welcome to Tribeca Cafe. My name’s Billy.
Can I get you anything or do you want to look over the menu?
We have paninis on the back.

Mira sits in disbelief, he definitely doesn’t recognize her.

MIRA
(disappointed)
Coffee. Black.

Mira watches Billy go back to the other end of the bar.

Billy places a coaster under the cute customer’s drink and gives her a winning smile. The customer is smitten.

TIME CUT TO:

EXT. TRIBECA CAFE - LATER

Billy takes out the day’s garbage to the curb. Startled, he turns to see Mira standing right behind him.

MIRA
You auditioned for me yesterday. Mira Zimmerman. Casting Director.

BILLY
(apprehensive)
Oh that’s right. Yeah, you looked familiar. How’d I do?

MIRA
You were terrible. Completely unprepared, unprofessional, and you smelled like trash.
(then, re: trash)
Which now makes sense. I want you to come back in tomorrow.

BILLY
(confused)
Really?

MIRA
Do you want to be an actor? Or do you just want to be famous?
Or maybe you’re just screwing around? What do you want, Billy? Truly.

Billy drops the trash. He considers a moment.

BILLY
(resolute)
I’m an actor.

MIRA
Come back tomorrow. Show up on time, ready to work.
Learn the lines and take a shower.
(then)
Wear the same shirt.

Mira flicks Billy his ID and heads off, leaving Billy with the trash.

INT. AUDITION ROOM - MIRA'S OFFICE - THE NEXT DAY

Mira sits with Julian, Michaela and Yoshi at the table.

JULIAN
I spoke to Phillip Whitaker at BKA last night.
Thought I could finesse the deal. He said you weren’t returning his calls?

Jenny cracks open the door from the waiting room.

JENNY
He’s here.

Julian turns to Mira: what’s this about? Mira reveals nothing.

MIRA
Send him in.

Billy enters. His hair is still a little tussled. He looks frightened, but handsome.

MIRA (CONT’D)
Thanks for coming back in Billy.

Julian, Michaela and Yoshi look to each other confused: this guy?

JULIAN
(to Mira, incredulous)
Again?

MIRA
You remember our director Julian and producers Michaela and Yoshi. You have the notes. You ready?

Billy rolls up his sides and places them in his pocket.

BILLY
Yes, thank you. I’m ready.

TIME CUT TO:

INT. AUDITION ROOM - MIRA'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

Mira and the creative team watch the end of Billy’s audition. Julian studies Billy.

BILLY (O.S.)
(assured, simple, no accent)
“I’ll tell you what I see, Shailene. Hope. Yes, hope. I know that sounds naive.
But so does justice. They say America is the Shining City on the Hill.
Well, I mean to prove it. I’ll make it shine like a sunburst. Just you watch.”

Julian and producers confer. We can’t hear them.

MIRA
Scene. Nice job, Billy.
(to Jenny)
Jenny, can you get Whitaker on the phone?

Jenny rushes out of the room.

MIRA (CONT’D)
Julian? Team? Any questions?

Julian gets up from behind the table and goes to Billy.

JULIAN
Do you have a valid passport Billy?

BILLY
I do. Yes.
(unsure)
I think it’s in my backpack, somewhere.

JULIAN
Well find it, because you’re coming with us to Romania. You’re our guy. The part is yours!

MICHAELA
Congratulations!

YOSHI
So fresh!

BILLY
(dumbfounded)
REALLY??!

They all share a big hug as Mira watches on from the table.

JULIAN
I knew you were out there somewhere! I knew I’d find the answer.
There’s just something about you Billy…William…Will — Can I call you Will?

BILLY
Call me whatever you want! What happens now?

JULIAN
Casting will get into it. Come to lunch with us.

Julian, Michaela and Yoshi lead Billy out of the room. Billy turns back to Mira. He gives her his winning smile, he wants to connect with her.

Mira gives him a wave as if to say: go, go, enjoy.

The room is now empty except for Mira sitting quietly at her desk. Jenny rushes in.

JENNY
I have Phillip Whitaker/BKA on the line.

Mira picks up the phone. Her eyes are resolute.

PIP’S VOICE
(through phone)
This better be good.

MIRA
Sorry it took me a second to get back to you.
Unfortunately, I’m going to have to officially pull the offer to your client.
We found the role in a read. We’ll catch you on the next one, Phillip.

Before Pip can respond, Mira hangs up. That felt good.

MIRA (CONT’D)
(to Jenny)
Hey, how about we go out for lunch today before
we start reviewing tapes on the mother? Anyone you liked?

JENNY
Well, actually, there are two contenders...

EXT. MIRA'S OFFICE - DAY

As Mira and Jenny walk into the crowd...

FADE TO BLACK.