Movie Casting Draws Hundreds
STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE Chris Counts of Conway fills out information before auditioning for the lead role of Brandon Burlsworth during a casting call for the movie, "Greater," which chronicles the life the former University of Arkansas football player, Saturday, March 16, 2013, at the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville. Counts said he was wearing his glasses and singing karaoke with friends when it was suggested he come to Fayetteville to audition.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
FAYETTEVILLE — Matthew Morgan, a local casting director, said he’s looking to cast people who are courteous, humble and confident in the movie, “Greater.”
The film tells the story of former Razorback Brandon Burlsworth, who was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1996 to 1998. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American.
Shortly after graduating, he was selected in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Eleven days after being drafted, he died in a car wreck near Alpena on his way to his hometown of Harrison.
The Movie
The movie “Greater,” tells the story of Brandon Burlsworth, who was an offensive lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 1996 to 1998. He joined the team as a walk-on and eventually became an All-American. Burlsworth graduated from the University of Arkansas with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He was the first Razorback football player to complete a master’s degree before playing in his final game. Shortly after graduating, he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts.
Source: Brandon Burlsworth Foundation
“I know he was big in his faith and community,” said Courtney Norton, UA graduate. “He had a lot going for him.”
Norton was among the hundreds who auditioned for an extra part in the movie Saturday at the Northwest Arkansas Mall.
Though she doesn’t have any acting experience, she thought it would be fun to play any role she could get.
“I think it’s cool how Brandon’s legacy is hanging on and they’re making a movie about him,” she said.
Rhonda Adams and her three children, Layne Adams, 12; Eliza Adams, 8; and Collin Adams, 14, waited patiently for their number to be called Saturday.
“I would really like a role that has words,” said Layne, who’s had acting experience at the Rogers Little Theater.
Her older brother, Collin, plays football for Kirksey Middle School in Rogers. He hopes to play a similar role in the film.
Thurman Shaw, a football coach for Elkins High School, also used his experience to audition for the role of coach on Saturday.
“I didn’t plan on auditioning today,” he said. “I just came to see if some of our football players were trying out and they told me I should try out too.”
At one point during the day, Shaw said a shopper walked by who resembled Burlsworth.
“He was even wearing the big black glasses,” Shaw said. “The casting crew chased him down and got him to audition.”
Burlsworth was well known for his thick black glasses and his resemblance to comedian Drew Carey.
Casting coordinators paid tribute to him on Saturday by wearing the same thick-rimmed glasses.
Morgan, who owns Morgan Casting, said he’s still searching for someone to play the role of Burlsworth. He’s also looking for thousands of extras to play football players, cheerleaders, Razorback fans and coaches.
“There’s a lot of one-line opportunities for those who knew and loved Brandon,” he said.
Open auditions in Fayetteville started Friday and ended Saturday. Morgan said one-day casting calls will also take place in Mississippi and Louisiana.
He plans to return to Arkansas in early April to choose the official cast. Filming will start in early May.
“So far, we’ve seen a ton of Razorback fans,” Morgan said. “We’ve also seen a lot of real people with talent, not just actors.