This past weekend, on Jan. 27 and 28, Rowan Cinema Workshop held auditions for the first of their four upcoming spring productions, Stella Cadente. The film is set to start shooting on Feb. 18 and wrap production on the 25.

When asked how he would describe the film, writer and director Bradley West explained.

“The film is about an overprotective brother who tries to do everything in his power to protect his sister but ultimately is the reason for her demise. It’s kind of a tragedy showing that you can’t control everything and sometimes it’s better to take a step back and take care of yourself. Cause you can’t help anyone if you haven’t helped yourself first,” West said. 

Auditions were held in Bozorth Hall room 118. West was looking to cast five different parts for the film. These roles include the older brother Angelo and his younger sister Leonetta, who are at the heart of the story.

“I’m trying to find someone who looks and feels young and playful for Leonetta, someone who can bring to life a fun, loveable, and innocent character,” said West when asked about the character of Leonetta. 

“I would want someone who’s a little more awkward and anxious, but still lovable. I still want the audience to love and feel for Angelo by the end of the film,” said West.

The other parts include Leonetta and Angelo’s mother and abusive father along with Eleanor who is a close friend of the siblings. 

So far only the role of Angelo has been cast by Rowan junior Jake Kantrowitz.

“I was drawn to the fact that it’s such an intense piece and is so psychologically driven,” Kantrowitz said on what drew them to the film.

The casting process is something that is new to West and is a process that can be quite arduous at times. 

“Casting has been a little shaky, I’ve had very little experience with it, so I just need to learn how to judge who’s right for what role, and just how to get people excited to come out and act in my films,” said West. “It’s been a little rough but I’m starting to learn and hopefully, by a week or so I can find who I’m looking for.”

West has reached out to members of both Rowan Campus Players and Rowan Lab Theatre and has been in contact with a few of their members regarding casting. 

“Stella Cadente, on the outside, is a film about family relations in the 60s. But when you look into it, you can see the relationships formed between siblings and despite everything they may go through, it’s impossible to not care for one another. Love between siblings is the strongest form of care,” said Executive Producer Riley Granata.

This is what Granata had to say about what the film is to him. On top of being an executive producer on the film, Granata is also the director of photography and has been working rigorously with West over the past couple of weeks to create a shot list so that they know exactly what shots they want when the cameras start rolling on Feb.18.

West is still searching for talent to play the roles of the father, mother, and friend Eleanor. West describes Eleanor as “someone with a vibrant bossy attitude who just has the confidence to do what she wants.” If you are interested in lending your acting talents to the film please reach out to Bradley West at westbr77@students.rowan.edu. 

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