Production is set to get underway shortly on the Apple Studios runaway slave thriller Emancipation starring Will Smith. Antoine Fuqua will direct. Smith will play Peter, a slave who fled a plantation in Louisiana after he was whipped within an inch of his life. He had to outwit cold-blooded hunters and the unforgiving swamps of Louisiana on a torturous journey north. There, he joined the Union Army. The thriller is based on his true story, seared into the annals of history by an indelible image; when Peter showed his bare back during an Army medical examination, photos were taken of the scars from a whipping delivered by an overseer on the plantation owned by John and Bridget Lyons that nearly killed him.
Filming is currently taking place in the Bush, Greensburg, Paradis and New Orleans, Louisiana areas. The casting directors are currently seeking the following to work on the film as paid background talent, photo doubles, standins and possible featured talent:
- ENSLAVED PLANTATION WORKERS – Seeking African American looking MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN (6+ YEARS OLD) to portray enslaved families in a plantation scene. Men must be willing to grow out hair and facial hair is a PLUS! Filming will be exterior. You do not have to work every day but please let them know your availability over the course of those the two weeks! Please no strong/modern cuts or unnatural colored highlights. The makeup department may add facial hair in some cases. COVID testing and Costume Fitting are both in New Orleans (Harahan). Pre-Employment COVID Testing begins Tuesday 8/24 to fit Thursday 8/26.
If you fit any of the above description and would like to be part of this amazing feature project please fill out this short form so we can contact you with filming information: https://www.centralcasting.com/emancipation
**PHOTO SUBMISSION RULES: 1). You should be the only person in the photo. 2). Please face the camera. 3). Only clear and well-lit photos will be considered. 4). Absolutely NO filters!
**PLEAE NOTE: As a condition of working on set, Background Actors (including children and parents) will be subject to the same COVID testing requirements as cast & crew in advance of work dates. Production will also require that anyone over the age of 8 wear a face mask that covers your nose and mouth to be worn while on set and while at the testing facility.
Source: Central Casting Louisiana