Inviting Jamaican actors, musicians to OPEN casting calls for the untitled Bob Marley movie

JAMAICA! JAMAICA! From Morant point to Negril, from St. James parish to Clarendon calling on all the wonderful talent in Jamaica to audition this weekend at an OPEN casting for the untitled Bob Marley movie. Be a part of history. This is your chance to represent the island and the culture on the big screen all over the world. JAH LIVE!

Details, roles and times/locations are below—sign up for a time-slot in advance here, and please reach to us with any questions at marleyopencall@gmail.com.

Saturday, August 27 @ 10am-1pm — Kids & Teens (Age 4-13)

AC Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica

BABY BOB (Age 4)
YOUNG BOB (Ages 8-13): Male, mixed race (Black/white), seeking an actor to play Bob at ages 8-13, Jamaican. Small and wiry, Jamaican. Young Bob navigates the tough streets of Nine Mile and Trenchtown while learning about his past and discovering new passion in music with his step brother Bunny and friend Peter.*
YOUNG BUNNY (Age 13): Male, Black, seeking an actor to play Bunny at ages 8-14, Jamaican. Bob’s step brother, a whip smart, sharp tongued, dark skinned hustler. He is handy and resourceful, can shape just about anything into a makeshift guitar.*
YOUNG PETER (Age 13): Male, Black, dark skinned, seeking an actor to play Peter at ages 13-14, Jamaican. Tall, cool as ice boy in big sunglasses; he has a real guitar that impresses young Bob & young Bunny. The three boys become fast friends playing music together.*
ZIGGY MARLEY (Age 9): Male, mixed race (Black/white), Jamaican, 9 yo. Bob’s son, curious, plays soccer, musically inclined, admires his father. He is eager to reunite with him after being apart so long.*
STEPHEN MARLEY (Age 5): Male, mixed race (Black/white), Jamaican, 5 yo. Bob’s son, musically inclined. He is upset and confused by all the fighting in Jamaica. He admires his father, and is eager to reunite with him after being apart so long.*
CEDELLA MARLEY (Age 8): Female, mixed race (Black/white), Jamaican, 8 yo. Bob’s daughter, she admires her father, and is eager to reunite with him after being apart so long.*
SHARON MARLEY (Age 12): Female, Black, Jamaican, 12 yo. Bob’s daughter, she is frightened by the violence in Jamaica, and worried the blood she sees on her father’s clothes belongs to her mother. She admires her father, and is eager to reunite with him after being apart so long.*

*SEEKING ACTORS WHO SPEAK PATOIS

Saturday, August 27  @ 2-5pm — Teens (Ages 17-22)

AC Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica

TEENAGE BOB (Ages 19-22): Male, mixed race (Black/white), seeking an actor to play Bob at ages 19-21, Jamaican. Bob, Bunny, and Peter live and breathe music. We see them practicing anywhere and everywhere. They meet Rita and Bob falls in love with her. She then introduces him to Rastafari.*
TEENAGE BUNNY (Ages 19-21): Male, Black, seeking an actor to play Bunny at ages 19-21, Jamaican. Immersed in their music, Bunny and the boys play all the time. Bunny helps Bob romance Rita by delivering a note to her. He is happy to see Bob join him and Peter at Castle Kelly, they all share a spliff and educate Bob about Rastafari.*
TEENAGE PETER (Ages 19-20): Male, Black, dark skinned, seeking an actor to play Peter at ages 19-20, Jamaican. Immersed in their music, Peter and the boys play all the time. Peter has the confidence to approach beautiful Rita even though it is Bob who is interested in her. He is happy to see Bob join him and Bunny at Castle Kelly, they all share a spliff and educate Bob about Rastafari.*
TEENAGE RITA (Age 17): Female, Black, Jamaican, 17. Beautiful, young, and slightly shy. Like Bob, she also started music at a young age.*

*SEEKING ACTORS WHO SPEAK PATOIS

Sunday, August 28 @ 10am-1pm – The Wailers / Musicians (Ages 19-46)

AC Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica

BUNNY LIVINGSTON (Ages 26-31): Male, Black, Jamaican, 26-31. Bob’s step brother and former band member of the Wailers. When Bob returns to Jamaica for the first time since the shooting, Bunny is concerned about Bob and tells him he looks rundown. However, he is happy they are together like old times.*
PETER TOSH (Ages 26-31): Male, Black, dark skinned, 26 -31, Jamaican. Now a full blown rockstar, touring with The Rolling Stones, he has come back to see Bob’s show in Jamaica. He and Bob are reunited at Castle Kelly by the ruins after Bob’s time in London. Bob, Bunny, and Peter all smoke a spliff like old times.*
ASTON ‘FAMILY MAN’ BARRETT (Ages 26-30): Male, Black, Jamaican, 30. The Wailers’ Rasta bassist, cooler than sea breeze. Father of 29 children. Always by Bob’s side, leader of the pack.*
CARLTON ‘CARLY’ BARRETT (Age 27): Male, Black, Jamaican, 27. The Wailers’ drummer and Family Man’s younger brother. Soft-spoken.*
TYRONE DOWNIE (Age 19): Male, Black, Jamaican, 19. The Wailers’ keyboard prodigy. Skinny build.*
DONALD KINSEY (Age 23 / American): Male, Black, American, 23. The Wailers’ guitarist, a soul brother with a goatee.
JUNIOR MARVIN (Mid-20s / British): Male, Black, Jamaican-born, British-raised, mid 20s. A guitarist, lean, lanky, Jheri curls. He’s called in when Bob decides the new album needs to sound different. Junior is confident in his music abilities, but lets his excitement get the best of him when he first plays for Bob. Bob reassures him the sound will soon come together. At their first concert, Junior is so nervous he sweats through his tracksuit.
JUDY MOWATT (20s): Female, Black, Jamaican, 20s. One of the I-Threes, the Wailers’ backup singer group. She is pregnant. When they arrive in London, she is skeptical of their housing situation.*
MARCIA GRIFFITHS (Age 28): Female, Black, Jamaican, 28. One of the I-Threes, the Wailer’s backup singer group.*
SEECO PATTERSON (Age 46): [appears in script at age 35 as well] Male, Black, Jamaican. A drummer, senior Rasta advisor and Bob’s close confidant. He is The Wailers’ appointed herb grower and smuggler, which he hides in his drums.*

*SEEKING ACTORS WHO SPEAK PATOIS

Sunday, August 28 @ 2pm-5pm — Band & Crew / Cindy / Other Jamaican Roles (Ages 20s-40s)

AC Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica

CINDY BREAKSPEARE (20s): Female, Caucasian presenting, 23. A very light skinned Jamaican beauty queen, Miss World, an uptown girl, and Bob’s lover. She is independent, smart, and cares deeply for Bob but wants to be more than just his muse. She introduces Bob to a more modern lifestyle in London.*
DON TAYLOR (Age 33): Male, Black,Jamaican, 33. The Wailers’ streetwise band manager. Has an afro. He is skeptical of both sides of the fight in Jamaica after getting caught in the crossfires and ending up in the hospital.*
ANTONIO ‘GILLIE’ GILBERT (30s): Male, Black, Jamaican, 30s. The Wailers’ cook, a firm believer in the power of a good diet. He argues it strengthens not only the body but the mind. Has a wicked sense of humor.*
NEVILLE GARRICK (Age 25): Male, Black, Jamaican, 25. Artistic director, a skinny, bookish Rasta. He can’t keep up with Bob when challenged to a running contest. He is angry about the way things are being handled in Jamaica, and is concerned for the safety of Bob and the band. He designs the album cover for Exodus.*
BUCKY MARSHALL (30s): Male, Black, Jamaican, 30s. A notorious Trench Town triggerman turned PNP kingpin. He is worried his men can no longer keep Bob safe, the threats are worse than ever. He urges Bob to come back to Jamaica, saying the youth will listen to him. He doesn’t believe Jamaica will survive without Bob and the Wailers.*
CLAUDIE MASSOP (30s): Male, Black, Jamaican, 30s. A large JLP gangster and one of the most feared men in Jamaica. He grew up with Bob, and Bob seemingly trusts him. He gives Ziggy a wooden toy guy, and plays gunman with him, which upsets Bob.*
JOE HIGGS (30s): Male, Black, Jamaican, 30s. A local music legend, he gives music lessons to Bob and the Wailers when they’re young. He is supportive of the boy’s music and believes in them.*
COXSONE DODD (Ages 27-32): Male, Black, Jamaican, 30s, DJ, pioneering musical hustler. Coxsone has no time for politics, only for music, which he believes leads the nation. He teases the young Wailers band when they first come to him, waving a gun around and laughing all at once. At first he is bored by their music, but after the second song, he is intrigued and excited by their sound.*
CEDELLA / BOB’S MOM (Ages 28-49): Female, Black, Jamaican, 48, Bob’s mom. A strong but affectionate woman, she calms Bob down when he calls her in a panic. She is at her home in Delaware when Bob calls her from the UK.*

*SEEKING ACTORS WHO SPEAK PATOIS

Saturday, September 3 @ 10am-5pm — ALL ROLES LISTED ABOVE

Montego Bay Convention Centre, Jamaica

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I audition?
Sign up online and/or come to one of the open calls.
• Do I need acting experience?
No acting experience is needed.
• Does it cost money to audition?
No.
• Do I need a Photo/Resume?
No but if you have one or a current photo, please bring it with you.
• When will I hear back from casting?
The casting process takes a long time. It might not be until the film is shooting.
• When does the film shoot?
Early December 2022 to Early April 2023
• Where does the film shoot?
London, England & Kingston, Jamaica
• How long does the shoot take?
This depends on the size of role. Typical working hours are 7am to 7pm.
• Do I need a valid passport, visa, or work permit?
You will need a valid passport if your role works in London. Any visas or work permits will
be provided.
• Do I need a Covid test to audition?
Yes, you will need a negative covid test to audition. A free test will be administered at
the audition, so you will not need to do anything beforehand.
• Do I need to be vaccinated to audition?
No, you do not need to be vaccinated to audition.
• Do I need to be vaccinated to work on the film?
Yes, you will need to be vaccinated to work on this film.
• Can I still audition if I can’t make it to either open call?
Yes, there is an email on the flyer (marleyfilmcasting@gmail.com) that you can send
your information with a recent photo. If you match any of the roles we are looking for,
we will send you a scene to audition with and instructions on how to film yourself.
• Can I still audition if I have a disability (seen or unseen)?
Yes, everyone is encouraged and welcomed to audition.
• How much does a role pay?
Each role will make a different amount depending on the size of the role and how long
the role films.
• How much do extras get paid?
Extras will be paid a base fee for each day of work they contribute.
• When will I get paid?
Our payroll accountants will make sure you are paid in a timely fashion, once you have
begun working/have worked, but it will not be same day payment. Payments are issued
the following week after the week worked.
• Do I have to join a union?
No, union membership for a first-time role in a SAG-AFTRA film is not required.


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