Finn was the funniest.
Eventually he started directing the children.
and say like, oh you do this and you do that.
And Finn is now a director.
and I just streamed his first feature film.
He was right to lead those children back then.
because it is natural
and i was so happy to see
at the beginning of his directing career.
[Animated Music]
Hallo, ich bin Carmen Cuba, Stranger Things Casting Director,
here with Vanity Fair to talk about the casting process.
To be honest, when we released Stranger Things
We had no idea it was going to be a big hit.
We had no idea how long it would take.
You know, kind of a forecast
Imagine a future with these characters,
but actually I just wanted to get the best version
Not present.
Soon the Duffers and I were arguing
that these parties would probably not be able to
be performed by an inexperienced child.
So while part of my process involves
be in the world and see a child
that seems a certain way
and something like a conversation with your parents
and say, hey, does your kid want to act?
It wouldn't be
because it would be very tiring.
It would be every day for months
and a very specific dialogue.
This was useful because from the start
We were like, okay, this isn't a street casting.
Let's start with acting schools,
Acting teachers, kids who've been on Broadway.
The children of the Stranger Things cast
They didn't appear out of nowhere.
You've worked really hard for years.
before you find them
Hello, I'm Noah Schnapp.
I am 10 years old
Sou raro?
It's just that at some point I feel like I don't know
Like I'm trapped
Noah's audition was really something special.
because it really informed our needs
to find someone who was young and innocent
but he had a strong charisma
that would keep viewers interested
Why did these kids work so hard to find him
because he doesn't really appear much in the first season
but we knew he really had to carry the second season.
So we looked for a lot of those characters.
and stage experience
I just did a movie with Spielberg.
He really raised it every time we called him
So it was very exciting to see that first tape
and know what we would like to continue
with us in the process.
My name is Millie Brown.
I am 11 years old.
You can't see them.
I can.
I can see her.
I saw
you.
This Millie clip is also very memorable.
because we let her do the scenes before that.
We could tell she might cry
but he hadn't done it yet.
And the Duffers just asked if we could get him to try again.
and see how upset he could be about it.
And obviously she was very excited
and it was really shocking
that someone so young could do that.
And one more thing about Millie during the audition.
is that she is British and has done everything
including Skype with the Duffers, with an American accent,
so we forgot that even she was British.
So she takes all that out of acting
when making an accent.
And at that young age it was very impressive.
as seen in the series.
Hello, I'm Finn Wolfhard.
I'm sick.
I'm late. [laughs]
Kind 4'11.
I am 12 years old.
Nancy, listen to me. What the hell Mike?
Escuchar.
Do you remember two days ago?
with the magic trick?
When did it feel like my Millennium Falcon was actually flying?
Finn's audition was fun.
because he did it from his bed
while he was super ill.
None of this was shown.
You could tell he had energy and life.
and she was really excited to play the role.
No, I will try.
The best promise you can make.
Wow!
Good, now close your eyes.
Open.
And had the same adventure
playful spirit like your character
So that was very memorable about that audition.
Hello, my name is Caleb McLaughlin.
I'm 13 years old.
I hear!
Except I didn't tie him to a rope.
He really flew.
This may be the best promise you can make.
Open.
Kaleb was fantastic.
It's someone who's been on Broadway.
We knew you had experience
and he just brought some kind of energy with him
what the other children ate.
All together have one
Energy and personality that define this group of friends
and we saw him right away at his first audition.
My name is Gaten Matarazzo and I am 12 years old.
This is probably the most serious
the most important thing there is.
swear first
the best promise you can make.
Stay there, Nancy!
You won't leave until you close your eyes.
[Nancy] Okay, okay, they're closed.
Open.
I have absolute power.
Things.
you couldn't have predicted that
or looking for someone like Gaten,
so it was a big surprise.
What he brought to the character wasn't what we envisioned.
and also made us realize that neither
no idea what it could be until we met it.
He was like the first
You created the How It Was Written part
from the beginning.
The Demagorgon is fed up with your foolish human quarrels!
Walk up to it.
bang! Call him Will!
Pica, Pica, Boom!
Start protection!
Scream with anger!
When we put them together
We had already fallen in love with his tapes.
We knew they were incredible.
But all together
Make scenes together and hang out and watch
just the dynamics on screen was exciting enough
but the off-screen dynamic really sealed the deal
because you could tell they were a team.
They played against each other.
They weren't competitive.
They were really understanding and enthusiastic.
Try to imagine what it must have been like
when they released The Little Rascals.
It looks like a version of
what I think you feel on screen when you look at them.
How is Bob the Brain doing?
Don't call it that.
I am sorry.
old habit.
He is good.
We are okay. Good.
When I first read the script
I definitely felt this attraction to Winona,
and it looked like the combination of children
With her as a mother, it was a recipe for success.
And she didn't take the test.
She just met up with the Duffers
and they spoke through him
and I think it was very surprising for them
who responded to the material and to them,
but I had a feeling she would have a connection to it
and for her, although it was just a guess on my part.
I'm glad it was a good guess.
And David, David is someone I've been watching for years.
You know, for me as much as I loved the famous person
who was always in an opposite scene,
I always looked at him
watch his performance
and more or less as a casting director,
Hoping that one day I would have something
Where would the famous scene be?
in front of someone less famous than him
and this really was the perfect opportunity.
And he auditioned for me in a small room in New York City.
and he acts, and immediately,
Once I sent the audition to the boys
I knew it was our hopper.
♪ You can never give up ♪
[Once] Stop!
[Elf laughs]
Do not like? Not. [laughs]
The development of the show.
It certainly brought challenges
and each season intensifies
or it will be a different version of the original challenge.
I would say after the first season
the unexpected challenge was this
There were many famous people
who wanted to be on the show
and who said i will do anything.
I will do one day.
I will do three days.
I will be an extra.
And although that sounded very tempting
The challenge was very difficult
to keep the spirit of the show
What is the combination of these children we did not know
with Winona whom we all love.
I would say that the other challenge
which is probably pretty obvious
is that our cast is so talented.
Everyone we bring to the show has
be as talented as they are
and that's a very high bar.
A good story is that Paul Reiser didn't know about the show.
but luckily her son was a super fan.
His son said: You have to.
That was very helpful.
I think we have many kinds of children
from these people that we hope to have on the show
Be great cheerleaders for us
and that's super exciting.
This year is different.
This year is my year.
I can feel it.
'86, love!
I think season four has so many great new characters.
and that the actors who got lucky
really expanded those roles
some roles that had only a few scenes
at Eddie Munson with Joe Quinn.
It was really impressive.
Robert England this season,
Robert actually auditioned for the role
of the mayor in the third season,
that's what we had seen the year before.
We are very grateful that you took the test.
because another thing that is fundamental in Stranger Things
is that the Duffers really get it
much about the characters through auditions.
So you don't necessarily have to sit back and say:
We are looking for someone to do this, this and that.
We kinda got these sides
the examination of material persons with,
and then they see so much more
that many directors and creators
because they learn about the character
through the hearings of the people,
This is an amazing process for me and a lot of fun.
What do you think of them, Max?
Would you like to join them?
We didn't have any materials for Vecna yet.
That's when I thought of the Duffers
They were still developing the character.
The only things we really knew
where I had to be both characters
and that he had to be at least 5'10
and they have a very slender face and physique.
Please note that we are not allowed to do this
to say what's something for this show,
so I basically threw up saying something
that he needed people who fit that description.
So we used a scene from Primal Fear
and a scene from Hellraiser.
So knowing that it was Stranger Things
but not knowing what the character was and playing wrong sides.
A situation like this is always a bit chaotic.
But if someone really brings
all this information together
alone again
so it really stands out.
And with Jamie, we were really excited right away.
because somehow he combined the energy
of strange things
With these two very different films
and that's what we've always been looking for
and he brought it with him.
[our Gritos]
Stranger Things wasn't all that difficult to play.
The stuff was excellent.
and that always makes the casting job so much easier.
The other thing that made it a lot easier.
It's the fact that nobody had a clue
that anybody would watch this show
so the expectations were very low.
In a good way because of low expectations
coming from some kind of carrier,
which allowed the Duffers, Shawn Levy and me
have a lot of freedom and be really creative
and really only choose the group of children and adults
that would make the show look like this
they had it in their heads.
It wasn't that hard.
It was easier to throw than Magic Mike,
and that's not just because he needed eight packs.
FAQs
How did people audition for Stranger Things? ›
Stranger Things 2023 Registration
An application link for the Netflix Stranger Things Season 5 auditions 2023 will be updated soon on https://www.netflix.com, where you can submit your application. It should be highlighted that Atlanta-based actors will have the best chance of landing small roles in the series.
The young cast of Stranger Things is all grown up. But before the hit Netflix series premiered in July 2016, they were still just kids and had to go through an audition process like any other.
How did Finn wolfhard get casted for Stranger Things? ›The following year, he appeared as Jordie Pinsky in the series Supernatural. In 2016, Wolfhard began portraying Mike Wheeler in the Netflix series Stranger Things. He auditioned for the role via video after seeing an open casting call.
Is Stranger Things looking for actors? ›So far as we know, The casting for Stranger Things 2023 has started. Although Duffer Brothers and casting directors are not looking for any actors to be in leading roles in Stranger Things Season 5 audition, you can still appear for auditions for other acts in the drama.
How do kids get chosen as actors? ›The best place to find auditions and casting calls for kids is through an online casting platform like Backstage, at least at first. Once a child actor has secured representation, their agent will have direct connections to casting directors and can submit them for bigger roles with major networks and studios.
How do you get picked to be an actor? ›- Train to become an actor. There are no formal educational requirements for actors, but training is a good place to start. ...
- Prepare your headshot, acting résumé, and demo reel. ...
- Submit to auditions and casting calls. ...
- Gain experience to improve your résumé and reel. ...
- Get signed by an agent.
The same goes for Stranger Things, which is an extremely wig-heavy production. Over 250 wigs were used in the show's fourth season, with principal characters having at least three wigs, including ones for fight scenes and water work. Stunt doubles also required their own sets of wigs.
What do actors need for auditions? ›For auditions, you need to arrive a few minutes early, and with a reel, headshot, and résumé in hand. Reel: Your demo reel will frequently be what gets you in the door. A résumé is great, but if the casting director isn't familiar with you, for all they know, your credits could be made up.
How many total kids auditioned for the children roles in Stranger Things? ›Casting the kids' roles was difficult, and in total the team auditioned 906 boys and 307 girls before deciding on their final cast.
Who auditioned for Stranger Things and didn't get it? ›Stranger Things 4 Star Robert Englund Actually Auditioned For Season 3 And Didn't Get The Part. While Robert Englund plays an important role in Stranger Things 4, he tells GameSpot about his previous audition for the show that didn't go so well.
How did Millie Bobby Brown get an agent? ›
After a showcase performance, an agent spotted her talent and approached the family offering to represent her. Kelly and Robert's faith in Millie was so great that soon after, on the advice of the agent, the Brown family left Orlando for Los Angeles where there would be even more opportunities for her.
How do you cry on command? ›Make a crying facial expression, alter your breathing pattern to match an actual crier's uneven and heavy breathing, add whimpering noises… any mechanical thing someone would do while crying. You can even exercise a little before the scene to make your breathing heavier and realistic.
How can I become an actor at 11 with no experience? ›- Take acting classes. ...
- Enroll in a formal acting program. ...
- Join a local theater group. ...
- Research and practice acting techniques. ...
- Watch performances and take what resonates. ...
- Consider taking on special skills. ...
- Learn how to audition.
Schnapp stars as Will Byers, and though his hair was cut into the iconic 80s bowl-cut for season two, he had to wear a wig in order to pull off the same look.
What casting agency does Stranger Things use? ›Casting Taylor Made, the background casting agency that has been working with the show since its first season, is currently looking for new talent to appear in scenes. The company, owned by Heather Taylor, revealed it will cast adults between the ages of 18 and 100 and minors between the ages of 0 and 17.
Do parents get paid for child actors? ›Different states have different laws governing who owns the income a young actor makes. But if your child lives in, works in, or works for a company based in California—even if the project shoots elsewhere—the law is very clear about to whom the money belongs: 100 percent of the income belongs to the child.
Is being a kid actor easy? ›Know that it's not easy being a child actor. If you're going to push your child into this field, you need to be realistic about what they can achieve. Talent is important in any industry, but being talented isn't enough. Child actors need to be able to work well under pressure, take direction, and be patient.
Can I become an actor at 11? ›Talk to your parents.
If you're under 18, you won't be able to work as an actor without your parents' permission, so it's important to get them on board with your plans. Explain how much you enjoy acting, so they understand that it's something you're extremely passionate about.
- You want to act all of the time. You wake up in the morning and all you think about all day every day is acting. ...
- You want to connect with other characters. ...
- You feel you could be a messenger. ...
- Audiences want to watch you. ...
- It's fun to do it! ...
- You keep learning about who you are on a deeper level.
When a certain line is accompanied by action, movement, the actor will be able to recall the line every time. Another useful technique is to associate the words with emotions. Evoking an emotion associated with the scene makes memorizing the words easier.
How do I break into acting with no experience? ›
- Consider local gigs. ...
- Take acting classes. ...
- Further your formal education. ...
- Join a local theater. ...
- Learn about the industry. ...
- Build your resume. ...
- Take a professional headshot. ...
- Start auditioning.
Noah Schnapp Confirms His Stranger Things Character Will Byers Is Gay. In a new interview, Schnapp cleared up any ambiguity about Will's sexuality and his feelings for Mike.
Is there any 18+ content in Stranger Things? ›Mature Content in Stranger Things
There is kissing, sexual references, and talking about sex in Stranger Things Season 4. There is talk about boobies and liking boobies and a flashback scene of characters making out. A male character has his shirt off in some scenes.
6. There's a whole lot of kissing and some mild sexual language. With teen hormones running rampant, there are plenty of makeout scenes, some talk about sex, intimate scenes that are nudity-free, and a few suggestive remarks.
How do you win an audition? ›...
In the quiet time before an audition, remind yourself that at the end of the day, you don't need anything from this experience.
- Stand Out. ...
- Be Brave. ...
- Let Go. ...
- Follow Up.
- Be prepared.
- Be kind to everyone and smile.
- Be on time for your appointment.
- Use your waiting time wisely.
- Dress appropriately.
- Introduce yourself.
- Don't watch the directors.
- Mistakes happen.
Film and TV actors might be contractually entitled to collect half-a-day's pay when they audition but aren't hired, though very few ever collect.
How much do the kids in Stranger Things get paid? ›Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) and Noah Schnapp (Will) started out earning 20,000 dollars per episode in 2016. Now, the figure is up to 250,000 dollars.
How can I audition for Netflix? ›Backstage is your source for finding Netflix casting calls and auditions. Search and audition for dozens of roles for your chance to get cast in Netflix, including Stranger Things, The Good Place, Ozark, Netflix original films, and more.
Can a 10 year old be in Stranger Things? ›The Common Sense experts say the show is fine for kids 13+, while both parents and kids agree the show is appropriate for ages 12+.
How did Sadie Sink get her role in Stranger Things? ›
Luckily, it worked! And the casting team asked her to come back for a chemistry read with Gaten Matarazzo (who plays Dustin Henderson) and Caleb McLaughlin (who plays Lucas Sinclair). The three obviously worked well together, as the next day, Sink found out that she got the job, and the rest is history.
How much did Stranger Things pay the actors? ›Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler)
Like Brown and the rest of Stranger Things' child stars, Wolfhard, who plays Mike, started the series with a $20,000-per-episode salary. Though he and his costars received $60,000 bonuses after season 1 became a massive success, that salary continued for season 2.
Perhaps the most famous quote from Stranger Things, “Friends don't lie” has been a beacon of guidance for young Eleven.
What agency is Zendaya with? ›Disney Channel Star Zendaya Signs With CAA – Deadline.
What agency is Sadie Sink with? ›EXCLUSIVE: Sadie Sink, known for her fan-favorite starring role as Max Mayfield on Netflix's Stranger Things, and soon-to-be seen in Darren Aronofsky's praised Venice Film Festival drama The Whale, has signed with WME for representation. Sink began her career on Broadway in the title role of the Annie revival in 2013.
Is Millie Bobby Brown adopted? ›Brown was born in Marbella, Málaga, Spain, on 19 February 2004, the third of four children born to British parents Kelly and Robert Brown, a real estate agent. She was born with partial hearing loss in her left ear and gradually lost all hearing in that ear over several years.
How do actors kiss? ›The stage kiss: In this technique, one actor cups the other's face in a way that appears natural and romantic before drawing them in. Right before they connect, the former places their thumb over the latter's lips so that no direct mouth-to-mouth contact occurs.
How can you cry blood? ›- hormone changes.
- menstruation.
- inflammation.
- conjunctival injuries.
- trauma.
- blocked tear duct.
- high blood pressure.
- blood disorders, such as hemophilia.
Crying on cue is often considered the gold standard of acting because it can show how an actor commands their emotional instrument.
What is the youngest age to start acting? ›There is no age limit when it comes to child actors which means there is no specific age when kids should start acting. It's never too early for your kid to start acting or start attending acting classes. Kids can become actors as babies and under the age of 4.
Where is the easiest place to become an actor? ›
- Los Angeles, CA. LA is another city synonymous with acting. ...
- Las Vegas, NV. Viva las actors! ...
- Atlanta, GA. Another unsurprising option, the TV and film industry has been booming in Atlanta thanks to tax incentives. ...
- San Francisco, CA. ...
- Chicago, IL. ...
- Stamford, CT. ...
- Austin, TX.
There are many listed auditions for theatrical productions, student films, larger films, etc. An actor need not have representation in order to submit himself.
Who is the crush of Will Byers? ›A week before the release of season 4, David Harbour and Finn Wolfhard appeared to confirm that Will has a crush on Mike. Now, Finn has discussed Will's affections for his best friend in a new interview, and it sounds like Volume 2 might dive deeper into Will's feelings.
Who is Will Byers in love with? ›Noah Schnapp has now confirmed that Will is gay and in love with Mike. Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things season 4. Noah confirmed that Will is in love with his best friend Mike Wheeler, played by Finn Wolfhard, but doesn't want to hurt Eleven's feelings by confessing it.
How did they hide Eleven's hair? ›Welcome or not, the buzz cut is an extraordinary achievement by Stranger Things hairstylist Sarah Hindsgaul and her team, who created Eleven's shorn locks via a painstakingly designed wig. What's more: The unforgivingly close-cropped wig had to fit over Brown's own long hair.
Does Stranger Things do open casting calls? ›So far as we know, The casting for Stranger Things 2023 has started. Although Duffer Brothers and casting directors are not looking for any actors to be in leading roles in Stranger Things Season 5 audition, you can still appear for auditions for other acts in the drama.
Who is Millie Bobby Brown's agency? ›In January 2017, she made her modeling debut in Calvin Klein's By Appointment campaign. The following month, she was signed to the agency IMG Models.
What agent is Millie Bobby Brown signed to? ›'Stranger Things' Star Millie Bobby Brown Signs With WME
Sources tell Variety the young star was being courted by all the big agencies, and WME landed her in a very competitive situation.
Casting Taylor Made, the background casting agency that has been working with the show since its first season, is currently looking for new talent to appear in scenes. The company, owned by Heather Taylor, revealed it will cast adults between the ages of 18 and 100 and minors between the ages of 0 and 17.
Is Will Byers straight? ›Noah Schnapp Confirms His Stranger Things Character Will Byers Is Gay. In a new interview, Schnapp cleared up any ambiguity about Will's sexuality and his feelings for Mike.
Who auditioned for Robin in Stranger Things? ›
21. Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan told Buzzfeed that she initially auditioned for the role of Robin in Stranger Things before booking the role of Penelope Featherington years later. Maya Hawke ultimately nabbed the part, with Coughlan saying Hawke was "was far better than I ever would have been."