Homegrown talent search: Casting call for new Eddie McClintock film draws young hopefuls

JACKSON TWP. − Nannie Phillips drove four-and-a-half hours from Greenfield, Indiana, so her daughter, Olivia, 19, could audition for a part in actor Eddie McClintock's upcoming autobiographical film.

"She loves Eddie McClintock and wanted to come out, so that's what we did," Phillips said.

Olivia was among 75 young people who braved the blustery cold on Saturday morning to audition for an acting role in "Takedown."

Film, TV star comes home Eddie McClintock back in Stark County seeking actors for his life story movie 'Takedown'

The open casting call was held at the Jackson Township branch of the Stark County District Library.

The film, which McClintock wrote and will direct, recounts his growing up in North Canton and his struggle between wrestling and wanting to be an actor.

It will be shot in Stark County.

The Hoover High School alumnus has starred in a number of films and TV shows, including "Bones" and "Warehouse 13" on the SyFy Network.

Ian Biddle, 19, of Canton, a professional model, said he wanted the experience, noting that he took acting classes last year.

"I'm just here to have fun and see what it's all about," he said.

"Takedown" is being produced by JC Films, a faith-based movie studio located in Bridgeport, West Virginia.

Producer Whitney Chokreff of Canton said JC Films specializes in inspirational stories, some of which are written by studio owner Jason Campbell. Many of the studios films are available on JC+ or on Amazon.

Chokreff said that once all the parts are cast for "Takedown," they hope to start production by the end of February.

For the tryout, prospective actors were given a small portion of the script to read for McClintock and his producers and casting directors while being recorded on video.

Trent Jones, 14, of Canton, said he decided to follow in his dad Steve's footsteps. Steve Jones had a part in the JC Films production of "Old Fashioned," which was shot in New Philadelphia about 10 years ago.

On Saturday, Trent auditioned out for the part of "Lumpy," a wrestler.

"I knew my dad had done it, and I thought it sounded interesting," he said.

Chokreff's son, Elan Chokreff, 16, began working for JC Films as an actor and crew member when he was 13. He'll be working on "Takedown" as the lead makeup artist.

His advice to aspiring young actors?

"Don't overthink it," he replied. "Stay confident. Go in with a goal, and try to keep it."

Also on hand, but not auditioning, was Brian Dolph, a fellow wrestler and close friend of McClintock in high school. Dolph said McClintock took him under his wing after Dolph's family moved from Canton to North Canton.

"He was the one who talked me into wrestling," said Dolph, who became an NCAA national champion for Indiana University in the 150-pound class. "I owe it all to Eddie."

Randy Legend of Canton and Joe Sutton of Columbiana County are JC Films veterans, having acted in about 10 films each.

"I worked on community theater locally until COVID shut down a lot of productions," Legend said.

Prior to the casting call, Legend advised the young hopefuls to be as natural as possible by using the "Meisner method," noting that film acting requires a lot less emotive action than stage acting.

Legend's film credits include the JC Films production of "Chosen" starring Dean Cain, Kevin Sorbo and McClintock.

"So, basically, I got to work with 'Superman,' 'Hercules,' and the guy from 'Warehouse 13,'" Legend said with a smile.

Cain will have a part in "Takedown."

Sutton said he wanted the young hopefuls to know that "a no is not a negative thing in the film world."

"I did four movies in a row, then nothing for year," he said. "Sometimes, you're just not right for a part. You have to keep moving forward. I was an unknown. JC Films gave me my shot."

Sutton encouraged aspiring actors to volunteer on film sets whenever possible.

"Volunteering onset can get you in a lot quicker," he said. "It's like free film school."

Cliff DeCamp of Akron, an attorney for JC Films, has been an extra in two films. DeCamp said JC Films has "clubs" throughout the U.S., which enables people to volunteer as crew members or as actors. His cousin Greg McFee oversees the J.C. Film Club in North Canton.

"It's a lot of fun. You get to meet a lot of people," DeCamp said. "Our mission is to try to get young people involved in filmmaking, from production to acting classes. The whole idea is to show people that films don't have to be made in Hollywood. They can be made elsewhere."

A second casting call was held for adults on Saturday afternoon.

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Casting for Stark-based Eddie McClintock film draws young hopefuls