4. Introducing the Cast!
June 5th, 2021. Cold Start production blog post written by Richard Townsley
Welcome back to COLD START: The Road to Production. We’re only one week from shooting!
We welcome our lead, Sebastian Perez who will dawn the role of Carter. Sebastian is based in Los Angeles, California. After viewing his audition tape, it was a no-brainer to cast him for the role. Sebastian brought a natural, real, human approach to the dialogue that only improved the more he began to learn about and understand the character after each rehearsal. Additionally, he has a strong, personal connection to the father-son bonding story of Cold Start. Sebastian has mastered Carter’s mindset and is able to step into his shoes to see the world through his eyes, answering any question that is thrown at him by utilizing the rich character biographies and expanding Carter’s background based on his understandings of Carter’s past. Our crew is pleased to be working with such a talent and we are eager to capture and show the world his outstanding performance.
The role of Aunt Leona has been perfected by the wonderful, Wendy Hammers. The role of Aunt Leona took the longest to cast given the complex range of emotions that her character both undergoes as well as helps Carter through. Our Casting Director came running with a smile on his face once Wendy’s audition tape was submitted. Wendy has an extensive history working in the film industry and had no trouble understanding the dense history behind the character of Aunt Leona. Wendy’s natural charm and warmth are transferred directly into Leona. Throughout her experience working alongside Sebastian in Cold Start’s rehearsals, the two have developed a real friendly relationship that only excels in either of their performances.
Jackson Donnini will be portrayed by Spencer Rowe. Spencer and Jackson are an actor/character match made in heaven. Approaching the role of Donnini, Spencer has years of experience as a welder, a love for American heavy metal automobiles, and, as a father himself, knows exactly the type of relationship that Donnini and Carter have. Spencer brings a serious but loving tone to each of Doninni’s lines and is gracious enough to be his very own welding equipment to set in order to truly sell the metal fabrication know-how that Donnini possesses.
Young Carter will be portrayed by Abel Lysenko. Located both in Southern California and Southern France, Abel has been acting since the age of 3. Abel’s heart-warming smile and laugh match the happiness felt by Young Carter while working with Donnini in the garage. Abel is known for cracking jokes with the crew to keep the mood light and ensure that the set runs as happily as possible. When Abel comes to rehearsal, everyone is excited to see him and his outstanding performance.
With our final rehearsal in two days, we are confident that our shoot will go just as according to plan. Our cast’s audition tapes will be available for viewing as bonus content was the film releases.
