A new movie set to star Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Billie Eilish is filming in Toronto and the production is looking for talent.
Directed by Canadian filmmaker and Academy Award-winner Sarah Polley, Sylvia Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel “The Bell Jar” is coming to screens, with Eilish portraying the main character Esther Greenwood.
If you’re an actor in the city, the production is on the hunt for background performers to appear in the movie.
‘The Bell Jar’: Background performers wanted in Toronto
On June 25, ACTRA Toronto announced that performers aged between 20 and 40 are wanted, but anyone over the age of 18 (and a member of the union) may apply. The announcement used the production’s code name “Intel Pink.”
Performers interested in taking part must be willing to adapt their appearances to “1950s style,” ACTRA Toronto noted.
This means male presenting performers should be clean-shaven or are willing to be clean-shaven for filming. And female presenting performers with hair past shoulder length must be willing to cut or style it as required for period accuracy.
A full list of requirements can be found online, where applications can be submitted. When applying, candidates must send in a number of photos of themselves including a straight-on shot, along with a full-length picture.
‘The Bell Jar’: Filming in Toronto
“The Bell Jar” kicked off production in the city on June 25 and is expected to wrap in August, according to the City of Toronto.
And as noted by ACTRA Toronto, it will also film in Hamilton and Ancaster.
Based on the novel by Plath, an iconic American writer, “‘The Bell Jar’ chronicles the crackup of Esther Greenwood: young, brilliant, beautiful, and enormously talented, but slowly going under — maybe for the last time,” according to the book’s synopsis.
“Plath masterfully draws the reader into Esther’s breakdown with such intensity that Esther’s neurosis becomes completely understandable and even rational, as probable and accessible an experience as going to the movies.”
However, “The Bell Jar” isn’t the only production taking place in Toronto. Here’s a look at what else is filming in the city.
More productions filming in Toronto
Based on the bestselling book by Emily Henry, “Beach Read” is also being adapted for screens and is filming in Toronto.
Directed by Yulin Kuang, production kicked off in the city at the beginning of June and is set to wrap by the end of July.
Its star-studded cast will feature Phoebe Dynevor, known for her role in “Bridgerton,” along with Patrick Schwarzenegger, seen in “The White Lotus.”
Plus, the award-winning series “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent” has also been renewed for a fourth season, but it will look a little different this time around.
Emmy Award-winning actor Luke Kirby is joining the cast of “television’s No. 1 Canadian drama,” produced by Lark Productions and Cameron Pictures Inc. The news comes as Aden Young, who played Det.-Sgt. Henry Graff, leaves the show.
The show is filming in Toronto until Aug. 14 and fans can expect it to air on Citytv this fall.
For a deep dive into all the upcoming movies and TV shows being filmed in the city this summer, check out our story here.