Casting Marcela 13y Ethel 15y
Assuming a film shoot in Los Angeles (California rules):
| Activity | Marcela (13) | Ethel (15) |
|----------|--------------|------------|
| Arrival on set | 8:00 a.m. | 8:00 a.m. |
| School session (studio teacher) | 8:15–10:15 a.m. | 8:15–10:15 a.m. |
| Rehearsal | 10:30–11:30 a.m. | 10:30–11:30 a.m. |
| Lunch (30 min) | 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Same |
| Filming blocks | 12:00–1:00 p.m. | 12:00–2:00 p.m. |
| Break | 1:00–1:30 p.m. | 2:00–2:15 p.m. |
| Filming | 1:30–2:30 p.m. | 2:15–4:00 p.m. |
| Wrap & school make-up | 2:30–3:00 p.m. | 4:00–4:30 p.m. |
| Total work (performance) | 3 hours | 5 hours |
Reason for difference: CA law allows 15-year-olds up to 5 hours after school; 13-year-olds only 3 hours.
If shooting on a Saturday (non-school day): both can work up to 8 hours with breaks.
Each country varies, but common principles: casting marcela 13y ethel 15y
Home Auditions: For travel-challenged candidates, consider virtual auditions using platforms like Zoom or pre-recorded submissions.
Diversity & Inclusion: Cast actors from diverse backgrounds unless the script explicitly requires a specific identity. Ask actors to self-identify their needs if relevant.
If both Marcela and Ethel are being cast together, hold a supervised chemistry read. Guardians must sit in. Never leave two minor actors alone with an adult director in a closed room.
Create a character description that does NOT objectify or sexualize minors. Example:
CHARACTER 1: MARCELA (13)
Female, 13 years old to play 13. Any ethnicity. Marcela is a curious, sharp-witted middle school student who loves solving puzzles and protecting her younger brother. She is brave but cautious. No romantic storylines.
CHARACTER 2: ETHEL (15)
Female, 15 years old to play 15. Ethel is a quiet, observant artist who journals everything. She becomes Marcela’s unexpected ally. Requires actor comfortable with emotional depth (non-violent, family-friendly drama).
Avoid: "sexy," "mature for her age," "mentions of body types." Assuming a film shoot in Los Angeles (California
Depending on the script’s relationship (sisters, cousins, friends, or rivals), you may need either contrast or similarity.
Practical note: In film/TV, bodies and faces change quickly at these ages. Once cast, schedule shooting blocks as tightly as possible to avoid visible growth spurts or voice changes.
Marcela’s plan: She loved the role of Mary Lennox because the character’s curiosity reminded her of her own love for exploring the woods behind her house. Marcela read the script at home, highlighted Mary’s lines, and practiced them in front of a mirror. She also wrote down any words she found tricky and asked her older brother to read them aloud.
Ethel’s plan: Ethel was drawn to the role of Martha, the garden’s caretaker. She listened to a recording of the play’s original soundtrack to get a feel for Martha’s calm, steady voice. Ethel also rehearsed a short monologue from a different play to showcase her range, because the director asked each actor to bring a personal “show‑stopper” piece. Each country varies, but common principles:
Helpful tip: When you’re under 18, ask a parent, teacher, or trusted adult to help you proofread any written material you’ll bring to an audition. It’s a good way to catch spelling errors and to make sure you’ve covered all the required parts of the script.
Create a simple scoring sheet with categories such as:
Assign a 1–5 rating for each category and add brief bullet‑point notes. This makes later comparison objective and defensible.
Assuming a film shoot in Los Angeles (California rules):
| Activity | Marcela (13) | Ethel (15) |
|----------|--------------|------------|
| Arrival on set | 8:00 a.m. | 8:00 a.m. |
| School session (studio teacher) | 8:15–10:15 a.m. | 8:15–10:15 a.m. |
| Rehearsal | 10:30–11:30 a.m. | 10:30–11:30 a.m. |
| Lunch (30 min) | 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Same |
| Filming blocks | 12:00–1:00 p.m. | 12:00–2:00 p.m. |
| Break | 1:00–1:30 p.m. | 2:00–2:15 p.m. |
| Filming | 1:30–2:30 p.m. | 2:15–4:00 p.m. |
| Wrap & school make-up | 2:30–3:00 p.m. | 4:00–4:30 p.m. |
| Total work (performance) | 3 hours | 5 hours |
Reason for difference: CA law allows 15-year-olds up to 5 hours after school; 13-year-olds only 3 hours.
If shooting on a Saturday (non-school day): both can work up to 8 hours with breaks.
Each country varies, but common principles:
Home Auditions: For travel-challenged candidates, consider virtual auditions using platforms like Zoom or pre-recorded submissions.
Diversity & Inclusion: Cast actors from diverse backgrounds unless the script explicitly requires a specific identity. Ask actors to self-identify their needs if relevant.
If both Marcela and Ethel are being cast together, hold a supervised chemistry read. Guardians must sit in. Never leave two minor actors alone with an adult director in a closed room.
Create a character description that does NOT objectify or sexualize minors. Example:
CHARACTER 1: MARCELA (13)
Female, 13 years old to play 13. Any ethnicity. Marcela is a curious, sharp-witted middle school student who loves solving puzzles and protecting her younger brother. She is brave but cautious. No romantic storylines.
CHARACTER 2: ETHEL (15)
Female, 15 years old to play 15. Ethel is a quiet, observant artist who journals everything. She becomes Marcela’s unexpected ally. Requires actor comfortable with emotional depth (non-violent, family-friendly drama).
Avoid: "sexy," "mature for her age," "mentions of body types."
Depending on the script’s relationship (sisters, cousins, friends, or rivals), you may need either contrast or similarity.
Practical note: In film/TV, bodies and faces change quickly at these ages. Once cast, schedule shooting blocks as tightly as possible to avoid visible growth spurts or voice changes.
Marcela’s plan: She loved the role of Mary Lennox because the character’s curiosity reminded her of her own love for exploring the woods behind her house. Marcela read the script at home, highlighted Mary’s lines, and practiced them in front of a mirror. She also wrote down any words she found tricky and asked her older brother to read them aloud.
Ethel’s plan: Ethel was drawn to the role of Martha, the garden’s caretaker. She listened to a recording of the play’s original soundtrack to get a feel for Martha’s calm, steady voice. Ethel also rehearsed a short monologue from a different play to showcase her range, because the director asked each actor to bring a personal “show‑stopper” piece.
Helpful tip: When you’re under 18, ask a parent, teacher, or trusted adult to help you proofread any written material you’ll bring to an audition. It’s a good way to catch spelling errors and to make sure you’ve covered all the required parts of the script.
Create a simple scoring sheet with categories such as:
Assign a 1–5 rating for each category and add brief bullet‑point notes. This makes later comparison objective and defensible.
