Take Two - The
Director's Chair
"Discovery Channel's Auditions"
By: Sandra R. Eubank
Take Two - The
Director's Chair By: Sandra R. Eubank |
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| Jeff
Lindquist, Casting Director for New Dominion Pictures, traveled to Roanoke, Virginia for a
two day audition searching for "New Faces" for the FBI FILES, THE
NEW DETECTIVES, and their new show, DIAGNOSIS: UNKNOWN, making its debut in
October, 2002 on the Discovery Channel's Health Channel. Mr. Lindquist also announced six movie
length docu-dramas being developed by New Dominion Pictures in Suffolk, Virginia, for the
Discovery Channel. |
 Jeff Lindquist, Casting Director New Dominion Pictures being interviewed by Jacee Burch, Channel 7 News Reporter for Live News at 5, reporting live from the Vinton War Memorial, Vinton, Virginia. |
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On Friday, April 26, 2002, the first day of auditions was held at the Vinton War Memorial located in Vinton, Virginia. The town of Vinton was also preparing for their annual Vinton Dogwood Festival, so there was plenty of activity in and around the memorial building as over 200 hopefuls made the trek to this small town. The Vintonites took everything in stride and showed every participant that traveled to this audition what true "Southern" hospitality is all about. Strangers were met with smiles and assistance in finding parking or whatever that they may have needed including food, lodging, or directions. Mary Beth Layman, Vinton's Special Events Coordinator had everything in order when "Bootie" Chewning and I arrived with our casting assistants, Melanie Vest and Diana Churchman. |
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Melanie and Diana assisted talent in filling out
forms and stapling them to their photos and resumes. Everything must be in order before
the actors made it into the "room" where the casting director waited. Of course,
there is always a "ham" in every crowd as Stephen Conner, actor, gets into the
picture while he waits for his shot at stardom!
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| Unbeknownst to the gathering crowd collecting in
the talent room, "Bootie" Chewning and I did the old greasing of the palm
routine on Jeff's hand for good luck. Then, Tommy Firebaugh, film office's official
photographer, gets into the picture so he will have proof that he was in fact there at
this historic moment! But, all good things have to come to an end and the work has to
begin.
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 Tommy Firebaugh joins Bootie, Sandra, and Jeff |
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Jeff Lindquist reviews Betty Harris' picture and
resume prior to assigning which scene this group of three actors/actresses will be given
and sets up the scenario for improvisation. Clifford Grimsley and Betty Harris serve as
the detectives as they review the crime scene. Eric East was assigned the task of being a
forensic expert searching for clues on the imaginary body.
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The next group of contenders enters as Jeff looks over photos and takes a few moments to read their resumes. Then, he starts with the next scene as the looks upon the grim faces of the actors as they listen intently to his every word. Kathy Firebaugh crosses her arms in front of her and gives Jeff a look like, Right. I'm going to be the second detective and talk to imaginary people and ask questions of beings that live in the air. Possible witnesses? Makes perfect sense to me.
Jeff Lindquist, another actress, and Kathy Firebaugh
Jeff Lindquist, actor and actress, and Sandra Eubank (behind the camera). |
Being the sensitive guy that he is, Jeff smiles
and states, "Don't worry. I'm not the person that will be shooting you. Sandra
will." With that he turns and takes his seat as I give the nervous actors a
mischievous all-knowing grin. Jeff calls out, "Action." I zero in my
camera lens and begin taping as the scene unfolds. Careful to capture the performance on
tape of these actors as they weave their version of what could have happened at this
particular crime site. The cameras' eye diligently tracks all four actors as they
desperately search for clues that will crack the case. (Careful to capture everyone's best
side!)
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Kathy Firebaugh confers with the Lead Detective
Kevin Jones, as she glances in the direction of her would be victim. Richard Kirkwood, top
forensic examiner appears to be puzzled as he rubs his chin in deep concentration.
When that doesn't seem to work, the team draws in for a closer look at their crime scene and tries to come up with a viable solution that will solve the case. How did they do? Only Jeff Lindquist knows the answer to that important question.
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On day two of auditions on April 27, 2002, we
begin promptly at 8:30 A.M. at Cox Cable Communications Television Station located near
Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke County. Karen Moore joined our staff at the talent check in
table.
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We received talent from all over Southwest
Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Atlanta and Augusta
Georgia, New York, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Arkansas. They came in all shapes, sizes
and age ranges. Everyone hoping this would be the audition that would give them a chance to be in one of the Discovery Channels' top rated shows. Over the course of two days, our casting staff along with Jeff Lindquist saw over 400 professional actors and actresses. At the end of the day, Stacie Reedy of Cox Communications asked Jeff Lindquist how had his casting experience been. Jeff replied, "It has been a wonderful two days. I have seen a lot of great talent and look forward to coming back to this area very soon. "Bootie" and Sandra have been great to work with. I feel as though I have made new friends." |
Shirley Vaughn (middle) shown with
Julie (on left) Makeup and hair dresser and Jamie (on right) with wardrobe at New Dominion
Pictures after they prepared her for the next scene. |
Two days after auditions, on Monday,
April 29, 2002, Shirley Vaughn was cast by Jeff Lindquist, Casting Director for New
Dominion Pictures for a feature role in Family Possessions.
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Shirley auditioned at the Vinton War Memorial on Friday, April 26, 2002. Ms. Vaughn was cast in the role of Lorraine Warren in New Dominion Pictures first feature length movie which is being directed by John Kavanugh.
When Ms. Vaughn received her call from us she was flabbergasted.
"I never thought in a million years that I would have even stood a chance at being cast in anything. I just tried out because "Bootie" called me and encouraged me to audition. She told me that they were looking for new faces. I never dreamed that mine would be one of them!"
Shirley Vaughn got to travel to New Dominion Pictures in Suffolk, Virginia for two separate filming sessions. Shirley was quick to call us when she returned and tell us, "Everybody was so nice and made me feel right at home. It was a wonderful experience! I would do it again in a heart beat."
Shirley Vaughn was born in Bedford, Virginia and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia. Shirley is a professional singer who's specialty is performing with big bands and has sung all over the country including New York and Florida.
Shirley holds the title of Miss Virginia Senior Citizen 1997. She currently resides in Roanoke, Virginia.
Congratulations Shirley!
About New Dominion Pictures:
New Dominion Pictures is a 12-year award-winning
production company located in Suffolk, Virginia, in the southeastern part of state. Their
company has won the Cable Ace Award as well as the Telly Award. Series
currently airing on the Discovery Channel are The New Detectives, The FBI
Files, and The Prosecutors. In the fall, 2002, season, a new show will
premiere, Diagnosis Unknown.
Other programming produced by New Dominion Pictures includes; Navy SEALS: The Untold
Stories, Daring Capers, and Special Forces which airs on The Learning Channel.
We also wish to thank Rodney Billingsly and Tommy Firebaugh for providing the photographs for this story!
© Copyright 2004 by the Blue Ridge - Southwest
Virginia Film Office, Inc.
All rights reserved worldwide.
