Offspringâs casting directors reveal what they look for in the child cast
By Colin Vickery, News Corp Australia Network
September 2, 2016
EVERY Aussie parent wants their child on Offspring. Or so seems to be the case, with the casting department on Channel Tenâs drama inundated with offers from parents keen to see their own offspring on screen.
âI get people offering me their children in the street,â said Offspring casting agent Emma Dockery.
âI was at a pub and a man sitting beside me, whose wife had just given birth, showed me a photo and said âwhat do you think of my newborn who is 11 hours old â do you think he would be right for Offspring?ââ
This season Offspring cast five kids in main roles: Isabella Monaghan as Nina Proudmanâs (Asher Keddie) daughter Zoe Proudman-Reid, Lennon Whitehead as Alfie Proudman, twins Leo and Ezra Materia playing Paddy Proudman, Chance Kenneth Charles as Ray Proudman, and Freya McCurdy playing Stella Clegg-Acherholt.
More than 60 children were auditioned before Isabella was cast as Zoe.
âIt was a chance for Isabella to be part of something really special â something a lot of people donât get the opportunity to do in their lifetimes,â her mum Samantha said of why she put her daughter forward for the role.
While Offspring executive producer Imogen Banks said Isabella was chosen, in part, because she looks like she could be the child of Nina Proudman and Dr Patrick Reid (Matthew Le Nevez), she also had that special something.
âThe overwhelming quality we fell in love with was her ability to listen in scenes and engage with the other actors, repeatedly, in an interested and very present way,â Banks said.
âItâs a rare quality in a child.â
âItâs been a real treat to work with Izzy,â Keddie said.
âSheâs such a sweet, sociable little girl and she has brought a wonderfully fun energy onto set.â
However if youâre thinking of trying to get your own child on to the show, Samantha warned stagestruck parents they should understand it isnât all fun and games for child actors.
âItâs a tough gig,â Samantha said.
âBehind the scenes itâs a lot more involved that you might think. Be prepared for long days and late nights. It can be exhausting for the kids at times.
âItâs not for everybody and I think you really need to have the right personality to get through.â
All the children who appear on Offspring go through a rigorous casting process.
âWhen weâre testing older children we get them to do some very simple dialogue to see if they can remember lines, how they react to the camera, and if they can take some simple direction,â Dockery said.
âWith the younger kids we are really just testing their personality types â are they laid-back, happy, curious, can they leave their parents, and do they mind being held by strangers?
âWe donât want a scenario where the children get to set and refuse to leave their mumâs arms. We want them to be comfortable enough to leave their parents and give performances.â
All of the children on Offspring are looked after by an onset nurse. They also have their parents with them at all times.
âIt is quite a little family,â Dockery said.
âAll the parents know each other. Quite a few of the kids are best friends now.
âLenny and Isabella are best friends. They walk around holding hands, itâs very cute.
âThe main cast treat them like they are their own. Both Asher and Kat are mothers so they have a really good handle on what a child needs to feel secure and happy in the workplace.
âThe first time Richard Davies (Jimmy Proudman) met Lenny they were playing football within seconds.â
The sheer number of children on season six of Offspring meant a juggling act when it came to the filming schedule.
âThe days had to be scheduled around the children because they have to wrap at certain times,â Dockery says.
âWe work very closely with child employment and they define how many hours the children can work and how many days a week.
âOne of the things weâre dependent on is the parents. In some ways they put their lives on pause to bring the kids along. Sometimes you have mum and dad on set. Thatâs a big time responsibility so weâre really grateful to them.â
Still, Samantha has no regrets about letting Isabella join Offspringâs cast.
âIsabella is extremely social and just loves interacting with people,â Samantha said.
âShe has a wonderful imagination and gets a kick out of being on set and doing her scenes.
âShe; s formed some very strong relationships on set and become very good at following instructions from directors. Through this experience she has learned so much and it has been an absolute joy to watch her grow.
âOffspring is a cultural phenomenon and for Isabella to be involved is something she can be proud of and look back on for years to come.â
SOURCE: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/offsprings-casting-directors-reveal-what-they-look-for-in-the-child-cast/news-story/cb0c146e16a1509b6e4c00da22434ac6