And the timing is great because I’ve got something I want to talk about today, and something I hope you of the media-saavy persuasion can help me with...
Here’s the sitch: I had a pretty surreal moment recently, sitting across from two industry film producers, having them ask me which teen actors I “saw” for my characters in TOP TEN USES FOR AN UNWORN PROM DRESS.
My mind raced back to how I wrote them:
Heroine Nicolette
5’2, with thick, curly blonde hair, spunky, athletic, and way cuter than she realizes.
Hero Jared
6’0, dark, wavy hair, lean, quiet, and a to-die-for grin.
Ex-prom date Rascal
5’10, buffed and blond, and while hot, a good part of his attractiveness comes from his swagger.
I was blank for answers because the actors who fit them in my head have gone onto adult roles. For instance, Reese Witherspoon or Kristen Dunst could have played Nicolette, Jesse “Bring It On” Bradford was Jared, and Chris Klein from “American Pie” would have done Rascal justice. So I pretty much just shrugged.
Since then, the producers and I have signed an agreement for them to “shop” the project to studios. (Yea!) They have wonderful ideas for how best to move the Prom Dress gang to the screen, and if all goes as we hope, some day we’ll be casting for real!
So...I’m looking for a “few good guys and girls” who are teens today. I’d love to hear any ideas of whose HOT in the teen market, and who you think might be a good fit for my characters?!?
Thanks in advance!
Tina
Top Ten Uses for An Unworn Prom Dress, March, 2007
How to Hook a Hottie, Spring 2008
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17 comments:
Woo hoo, Teen! Exciting times to have your story shopped for a possible movie!!! =D
Oh boy...it's tough because I've seen a lot of actors who are in their 20s taking on teen roles.
For Nic, Hilary Duff? Jared, maybe...Penn Badgley, he was in John Tucker Must Die. And I'm lost for Rascal!
Tina,
First off, let me say HOW EXCITING. That you might actually see you characters come to life on the Big Screen.
As for teen actors, I'll have to give that some thought. But how about Dennis Quaid for Nic's father?
Janie
Sooooooooo excited for you, Tina!!! That's got to be thrilling for you.
According to Teen People, the top stars are Lindsey, Hilary, Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Scarlet Johannsen, the Simpson sisters - female. Males are Jake Gylennhall, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake ('cause he's bringing sexy back), etc.
I have to say, I'm a sucker for Hilary Duff movies and Justin Timberlake's music.
Marley = )
http://www.marleygibson.com
Ooo! Ooo! Pick me! I love matching characters with actors. For Nicolette, how about Hayden Panettiere? She's the cutie on TV's "Heroes," and movies such as "Racing Stripes," "Bring it On 2," and "Raising Helen."
That's so exciting that producers are looking at your book for a possible movie! And I know I'm chiming in a bit late, but I think your cover is simply adorable and I can't wait to read your book.
Cheers,
Wendy Toliver
Thanks, Kel, Janie, Marley and Wendy for your great suggestions. I am IMDB'ing them all and making notes.
And Wendy, so glad you like the cover! I think it's a perfect fit because the whole time I was writing it, the color PINK was filtered over my eyes...
Tina
www.tinaferraro.com
I think that Nic needs to be an actress that isn't very big yet, because all the big name teen actresses (Lindsey Lohan, Hillary Duff) everyone has tired of. Putting them in your movie will give it a bit of a bad rep.
I'm not very good with actors and actresses, so I don't have any specific suggestions...
I have no clue on teen actors and actresses, but I'm so excited for you that you sold the movie rights and hope it gets made into a movie!
~Simone Elkeles
www.simoneelkeles.com
How to Ruin a Summer Vacation
Leaving Paradise
How to Ruin my Teenage Life
I think Hillary Duff is hot!!!!!
So excited for you!! :)
Tina~!
I am SO excited for you. I can't wait to see your name up on the big screen someday. I am also bad about thinking of actors that are too old. I think it has something to do with the fact that in my mind, I don't ever age! ha!
One little actress that stood out to me lately although she's still pretty young was the little girl in Because of Winn-Dixie. I can see her being another Scarlett Johanneson(sp?). It is really cool they asked you for input though! :)
xo,
Steph
www.stephaniehale.com
Thanks to my daughter, Sarah, to Simone, Anon, Buffy and Steph for your thoughts and good wishes! And Steph, in a moment, I'm going to check out the girl you mentioned...thanks to you guys, I'm getting a good little data base going.
And clearly this is in my mind because I was in the mall ealrier and saw a to-die-for 20 year old stocking shelves who I thought could be Rascal. Mind you, I'm in LA, and half the time, hot guys in jobs like these are out-of-work actors. I was SO tempted to ask him if he was an actor and for his agent's name...but then thought better of it. I decided to wait until I had something tangible to offer, so I didn't look like some dirty old lady. LOL.
Tina
I happily admit it's been awhile since I was a teen. I also happily admit that I love "teen" movies, with HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL being one of the most awesome films of 2006. Anyone who wants to disagree with me can, but you'll never change my mind! :)
So...Tina, first off, what great news! I can't wait to read your book, and seeing it on the big screen would be a thrill!
So how about these names thrown into the mix?
For Nicolette: Emily Osment. She's Haley Joel Osment's little sister, and I think she'd be perfect! You can see some great pics of her at http://www.teenidols4you.com/picture/695/4/emily_osment.html
For Jared: Zac Efron. Hello? HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL people! He'd be perfect! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zac_Efron
And for Rascal: Most definitely Tom Felton, the guy who plays Draco Malfoy in the HARRY POTTER films. Yes, he has a British accent, but there is not another blond, swaggering, ego-oozing teen male in acting right now who could play the part better. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0271657/
Jen, you totally impressed me with your book/film knowledge last week (on very little sleep, I believe you said?) and now, you've done it again! I just bookmarked that teen idols site, and next up is checking out YOUR website. Thanks so much for all your help!
Tina
PS to Genius Jen:
What a doll you are! I just perused your website and under the heading "Books We've Gotta Have" is mine...TOP TEN USES FOR AN UNWORN PROM DRESS. Thanks so much! :)
Tina
So, does that mean there's no more Hump Day Hottie? Who's in charge of that now, anyway?
Gemini Wisdom,
Tera Lynn is our Hump Day Hottie blogger, and she's away right now. I honestly can't remember her schedule, but it won't be too long. Keep checking in because she'll be back soon.
And thanks for asking!
Tina
These are all such great suggestions, guys! I don't know what I can add.
And, WOW! What an awesome cover, Tina. So adorable.
Hugs!
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