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Your Chance To Be Elvis

October 20, 2004 | Other
CBS will hold an open casting call in Los Angeles in search of an actor to play Elvis Presley in the upcoming four-hour miniseries “Elvis.” Participants will be judged on their singing ability, charisma and likeness to Elvis. Those interested in attending the casting call should look 18-33 years old. Hopefuls are required to bring their headshots, resumes and be prepared to sing 10 bars of any Elvis song.

Date: Wednesday, November 10

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: CBS Television City
Gate 6 - Sound Stage 46
7800 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Parking: There is no parking on the CBS lot. There is parking available at The Grove and on the street near the lot.

Note: Participants will be seen on a first come/first served basis.

No phone calls please. For more information go to CBS.com

“Elvis” is a fact-based drama about the life of Elvis Presley, one of the most famous stars the world has even known. With the full cooperation of the Elvis Presley Estate, his electrifying yet tumultuous story will be told. He was born into poverty in Tupelo, Miss., honed his musical sensibilities as a teenager in Memphis and was universally proclaimed the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll by age 21. His life – both public and private – his music, movies, relationships and impact on the popular culture will be explored. Robert Greenblatt and David Janollari (“Six Feet Under”) for Greenblatt/Janollari studio, Howard Braunstein and Michael Jaffe (“It Must Be Love”) are the executive producers for Jaffe/Braunstein Films, LTD. James Sadwith (“Sinatra”) is the director.
Source:Google
gribz wrote on October 20, 2004
Two things.. One is that I heard they can now use Elvis' voice, which would be ideal for the series. Number two, "Elvis is not one of the most famous ever, he is the most famous ever." I don't think that can be argued..
CD King wrote on October 21, 2004
You're dam right- One: ELVIS Presley was and is still The MOST Famous star the world has ever known. Two: ELVIS Presley was and will always be the KING OF THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. Three: Before ELVIS there was nothing. Four: Before Anyine Did Anything ELVIS did everything. AMEN
gribz wrote on October 21, 2004
CDking.. Also, as great as some of the other artists were.i.e James Dean, Marylin Monroe, John Lennon, Jim Morrison, 'Elvis draws more people to Graceland than all those others combined. It's no contest. Too many elements that are almost unatainable to combine in one human being that made Elvis who he was, is, and will alway's be. There is a spiritual quality that is far beyond what anyone could ever dream of attaining. It will even get bigger if that is even possible...
Abidaslam1 wrote on October 21, 2004
Precisely Gribz. That is why no one can successfully play Elvis. It is an impossible task and I am sure the end result will be disappointing as countless others have been. EPE would be better off concentrating on a comprehensive Elvis documentary/biogrophy and they had better be quick as we are fast losing people in the Elvis world.
suzie wrote on October 21, 2004
I think a doc. movie would be good with different artist playing the different 5 to ten years from 1954 {maybe `53} thru 1977. then the deacades of fans & continued fame. Elvis lives thru HIS FANS. The series might be good IFthe right person was portraying Elvis in the truth as fans know him not the fired authors of a "revenge" book. WE knew EP short comings and he was human. IDEAS have to respect Elvis memory.IICDEIA
Viva wrote on October 21, 2004
This sounds promising but I think it will ultimately be a disaster, these projects never turn out how they ought to. It is simply impossible to accurately portray Elvis. No actor on earth can do it without looking like a complete twat. Looking at the ad described above, I think it will only attract Elvis wannabees anyway, which doesn't bear thinking about. Christ, I hope Dale Midkif doesn't apply. The thing these people have to realise is that Elvis looked great in whatever clothes and whatever hairstyle he chose to wear, someone else in the same fashions would look a consumate idiot. Leave it alone and stick to a documentary featuring real footage, there's enough unreleased and released stuff out there to create a comprehensive and impressive documentary, not some farcical re-run of "Elvis-the movie".
Jim Semple wrote on October 21, 2004
This is one of the worst ideas I have ever heard. Hw can anybody in the world expect to play the part of Elvis Presley ?? I think all energies should be devoted to a CBS 77 Special DVD and Elvis on Tour Part 2 DVD !
gribz wrote on October 21, 2004
You know, this is the first time I agree with almost every post. The more I think about it, they won't be able to find actors to fill the roll. It is true that whatever Elvis wore , he brought out the essence of that style, where others look rediculous. Even people that look good, just don' cut it. In order for Elvis to carry-on for the next 20 years we must do a comprehensive Documentary, featuring the highlights of Elvis career.
SendToTodd wrote on October 21, 2004
I read these comments with total disbelief. If CBS make a major television series about Elvis Presley then this has to be good news for both Elvis fans, and his continuing legacy. If you make a drama about World War Two you have to use actors to play Churchill and Hitler. If you make a movie about Glen Miller, Buddy Holly, John Lennon, or any other dead musical great you have to use actors. To have the Elvis story on television, or on the silver screen is wonderful news. Fans were in horror over THIS IS ELVIS using actors, but on the whole it turned out to be a first class movie. (I admit that the other made-for-television movies fell short in the eyes of many fans, but that said, viewers were still being treated to more and more Elvis). We should all be thrilled that CBS are investing millions of dollars in this project. Let's face it, it's not going to be easy working with EPE, and I guess the success is going to be down to the skill of the casting director. (Then again it is Los angeles, so it could be the casting-couch). The time to complain is when broadcasters like CBS loose interest in Elvis Presley, so give em your support, and stop being pathetic.
gbalaban wrote on October 21, 2004
I also agree with everyone. If they are really going to do this then please let the person playing Elvis actually look and sound like him, and please have them grow their own sideburns (I hate the ones where they tape them on: Dale Midkiff, Don Johnson Etc.) TCB!
2kisses&3scarfs wrote on October 22, 2004
I'm looking forward to this mini-series, but just like everyone else, I doubt they can ever find someone to look and act like Elvis. It's just impossible! He was one of a kind! They'll probably need different people to play him at different stages in his life. All the past movies and series about him have never had real good look-a-likes, except for the series, "Elvis: The Early Years", where Michael St. Gerard played Elvis. He's the best I've seen. I'd much rather they show us some more footage of the REAL ELVIS. Or how about finally releasing the 1977 CBS Special, "Elvis In Concert"? We've been waiting for that long enough.
Ton Bruins wrote on October 22, 2004
I am affraid this is gonna be a disaster. To play Elvis is just impossible. Rather give us Elvis In Concert 1977 on DVD.
tcbme wrote on October 23, 2004
I am sort of in between the two sides here. I think that the idea is GREAT!! It will help to presrve the memory of Elvis and might even bring in a whole new generation of Elvis fans! It will show the youngsters out there why Elvis is the greatest performer and man that has ever graced our lives! Then I also agree that this open casting call will bring in a slew of Elvis wannabee's! I hope they would be very careful of who they choose to play him. It is a delicate situation, because if you choose someone that can't pull it off or even come close, the people you will offend are Elvis' devoted fans! I will watch it no matter what, I just hope they do it right. I think we need to keep an open mind and wait till the final outcome before we shoot it down. As far as the '77 concert on DVD goes, I hear it is going to come out. So, be patient. Long Live the KING!!
doctor wrote on October 23, 2004
No matter what, it will be loads of fun just seeing how close they can get to Elvis. Of course no one can ever "be Elvis", but who can complain that after all this time a major television network is willing to invest millions of dollars to bring his story to a new generation? At least this time they will use the King's recorded voice and not Ronnie McDowell's (who seems to have done the singing voice for just about every Elvis project ever filmed -- and did a marvellous job at that!). And as imperfect as the Kurt Russell project was back in 1979, it is still worth watching today. And think of all the publicity which will be generated by this project!!!! Lastly, whoever gets to play Elvis has an even greater challenge on his hands -- thanks to the King's success since ALLC, particularly this year's DVD versions of '68 and Aloha --even the new generation of fans is now keenly aware of the essence of elvis, not just his life-long fans. I've heard the news, and I think there'll be good rockin on the night this movie is shows. thank you, thank you very much. (: