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My kids love to act, and Zoe is still looking for another job. She can’t wait to be out in front of people again and we like to use We are using Kidscasting.com to find auditions for her. Now getting an audition is the easy part, auditioning is the harder part. So we partnered with Disney, they sent us a copy of Zombies. And they sent us the auditions that got the part.

Learning from example is a great way to start. So check out these two audition examples and use them as audition tips:

Pay attention to body language and eye movement.

Meg Donnelly’s Audition

Milo Mannheim’s Audition

KidsCasting.com breaks it down into the kids audition, is it paid or not, the location, and how to submit to the project. For the local auditions, an e-mail address is included. That’s usually how to submit your resume is to send it directly to the e-mail address on the project.

In Solo: A Star Wars Story the droid L3-37 played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge stole all the scenes she was in. During the Solo press junket that Disney provided hotel and transportation for, we were able to sit down with Phoebe Waller-Bridge and chat about L3-37 and her part in the Solo: A Star Wars Story. And even though she hadn’t seen any of the movies before getting the part, she was quite excited to get the part and see the final result.

Star Wars has always used the droids to bring humor into certain moments where humor might not normally fit. L3-37 brought a lot of humor to her scenes as she was a precocious robot who believed all robots should be free. Phoebe even got the part because in her audition she surprised everyone with how she read for the robot. She said,

they were, like, “Wow, you’re taking the story thing very lightly.” And I’m like, “Oh. Is she not a person?”

Being a Droid

Phoebe Waller-Bridge told us that she didn’t have to work out or train to be L3-37. They liked how she was awkwardly walking and how she was talking. They said they wanted her to be more relaxed. She went on to describe L3-37 as a robot that created herself.

she’s built herself to be more — not like, more human, but more relaxed, in her voice, and her body, and everything.

L3-37 sort of wakes up in the middle of the movie and makes a stand. She acts on her convictions and courage for what she believes is right.

Costuming

I just assumed that she didn’t wear a costume. I assumed she just wore one of those suits full of tracking points on it, but she said she had a tight green leotard and some actual metal attachments attached to her. They started by completely scanning her body, then building the suit around her. She had legs drilled onto her and arms, and then a chest plate and a head. She went on to say,

But it was the first time that they’d created a droid that kind of move properly and be more flexible. And I could move all of my joints. Because she’s a self-made droid, so she created herself to be…as flexible, bigger, faster, stronger, than any other droids that she would’ve met.

A Love Story

L3-37 is Lando’s partner in Solo: A Star Wars Story. We don’t get much of a background here and I would love it if they got their own story. We do find out though that they have feelings for each other. Phoebe went on to say that it’s not the “bat your eyes” at each other kind of love. “It’s a love story that surprises you.” She said that they are very rude to each other and that’s a sign of love. She said what they have isn’t obvious until that moment and then it’s glorious.

L3-37 Has Heart

Phoebe said that she can’t take all the credit for L3-37’s heart. She said the script gets a lot of credit here. She did go on to say that the heart is where you start for any character alive or not.

But I think you have to sort of start at the heart, with any character, no matter what they’re made out of. [LAUGHS] And I felt like she had a huge amount of heart and passion, and even though she sort of wakes up halfway through the film to what her passion is, and, it’s nice, knowing you’re building to something like that as well. And humor as well.

Inspirational Message

Phoebe said,

Well,…..it’s a film celebrating individuality and individual causes and having courage of your own convictions. ……………But also, yeah, there’re so many amazing relationships in it, and I think it’s inspiring, and the trust it takes to partner up with somebody, and I hope that inspires them as well……..also, wanting to be careful, because some people betray you. Trust no one.

You can see how L3-37 takes over a few scenes in Solo: A Star Wars movie this weekend. Tickets are now on sale for a few screenings tonight. It officially opens tomorrow.

It’s not everyday that you get invited by Disney, all expenses covered, to attend a Star Wars Press Junket, and this happens to be the event of all events. This is when Chewbacca meets Han in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Chewbacca’s alter ego is now Joonas Soutamo and yes he really is THAT tall.

Joonas is 7 feet tall, actually he admitted to only being 6 foot 11 inches but anyone that is that tall I don’t see how you can tell the difference between one inch.

I liked Joonas a lot, I don’t know if it’s because he came from a different background than most actors or if it’s just his liveliness but his personality is so friendly and easy going. He was a great interview. He talked about so many different things.

Getting Chewbacca right

Joonas has been Chewbacca since Star Wars The Force Awakened, so he’s worked with Han before, he worked with Harrison, so he’s no stranger to being Chewbacca. But what is fun about Solo, is this is how the relationship began. He talked about how he and Alden Ehrenreich (the young solo) had to be on set weeks early so they could start training together. He said they also spent time playing video games together. 

Wookie Bootcamp

He also had big shoes to fill taking on the role of Chewbacca. He replaced Peter Mayhew and said it was very important to him to make fans love his version of Chewbacca. This was one of his biggest hurdles, was to respect what Peter had already created. He spent a week training and said it was called “Wookie Bootcamp”, which he was joking of course.

Han and Chewbacca

He and Alden spent time talking about how this is the beginning of both of their characters. Chewbacca was in a bad place when he met Han. He didn’t have any “kind of structure in his life at that point”. The arc of the friendship had to start there and develop as the story goes on. I’m going to be straight with you guys and say this is my favorite part of Solo. The story arc even when it felt small between Han and Chewbacca as they didn’t have a lot of time as just the two of them on screen was huge to me. The small looks, or just a few words, the fact that Han could speak Wookie at all even, all of these things made me fall in love with Chewbacca and Han Solo. It’s the BEST part of the movie. Joonas and Alden wanted to get it right and I think they succeeded.

The Chewbacca Suit

In any movie, costumes can be quite the challenge and for the Chewbacca Suit there were many. Joonas said that for him, his eyes had to be poked out quite a bit just so he could see what he was doing. He also said that the mouthpiece and the suit going in and out of his mouth was also challenging.

Joonas also said that the Chewbacca suit was very hot and tested his endurance throughout the day. He also mentioned that he had to be very careful with the suite. He would get in trouble with his handler if he ended up rolling around in his suit. He said that he had to be very aware of how he looked on screen. Because of this he appeared to be a Diva, but he just had to work very closely with Ron to make sure his suit looked ok and how he could improve the next day.

The Millennium Falcon Then Verses Now

The first time he stepped foot on the Millennium Falcon was with Harrison Ford and everyone was in tears. It was so HUGE to have the old Star Wars Cast with the New Star Wars cast and to have him on set. Joonas said he didn’t cry he was in his good behavior. He said that while filming the Force Awakens, the Millinnium Falcon smelt like an appliance store. Being on that Millennium Falcon was wonderful, because it’s part of everyone’s childhood memories.

The new Millennium Falcon is “well-kept” and there’s a mini bar in the corner. Then there is also a luxury room where all the capes are stored. The decor is amazing and Joonas said

I just hope nobody ever tarnishes that very sweet [CHUCKLES] décor on that ship. But I guess that’s a wish that’s not gonna true.

We know that he and Han are going to destroy the ship over the next few years. If you want to see how amazing the relationship between Han and Chewbacca is, the Chewbacca suit in action, and this new amazing rendition of the Millennium Falcon then get your tickets to see Solo: A Star Wars Story this weekend. It opens May 25th.

Disney provided hotel and transportation to LA so we could attend the Solo: A Star Wars Story press junket. At the Solo: A Star Wars Press Junket we interviewed Paul Bettany. I remember the first time I interviewed Paul Bettany when he went from being the voice of Jarvis to playing Vision. He was as humble then as he is now with a touch of charm and a splash of humor. Now he’s in a little movie that comes out May 25th called Solo: A Star Wars Story. In Solo, he plays Dryden Vos our villain.

In the interview with Paul Bettany he told us that he begged Ron Howard for a part in the Solo movie. I usually paraphrase what the actors say in interviews but he’s such a good story teller I’m going to share this one in his words:

Begging For the Role

This is a hugely embarrassing story which I shouldn’t tell you but I’ve got to tell you anyway. I heard that my old mate, Ron, was doing it and in 1977 I saw Star Wars, right. So, like, I was six years old and it took me out of the gray, miserable 1970’s London. London was really depressed in the ‘70s, by the way. So, it was just to be taken away to that universe and it was amazing.

So, suddenly, but now I’m in the Avengers so I think there’s no way I’m ever going to be asked to be in Star Wars. Unless, Ron Howard becomes the director. And that happened. And so, I texted him and I literally texted him this, I said, I said, hey, Ron, have you ever spent long winter evenings, like I have wondering why you’re not in the Star Wars franchise?

And that’s a true story. And he said, you know, give me a moment. And, LOL, give me a moment. And two weeks later I was flying to London to shoot it.

Makeup Verses CGI

He answered a few questions with humor. Like when he told us that he didn’t wear any makeup. It was all CGI, because he can’t make his eyes bleed. He said he failed at that. He also joked about how stupid one of our questions was. He was asked how it feels to be in two summer blockbusters this year and he said that’s like asking a millionaire how it feels to have all that money. I was in the back of the interview cracking up. He quickly followed up with yes it feels pretty great.

Paul Bettany also talked about his children a lot. They think it’s pretty cool that their dad is in Avengers and in Star Wars now. They fly coach because he wants to keep his kids grounded. He said he is very proud of his children, they are polite good people. He’s been strict with them over the years but very proud of how they say please and thank you. He’s also happy with the choices his older children are making and that most importantly they know they are loved. He was also very excited to bring his kids on set and taking them on the Millennium Falcon.

And he had plenty of freak out moments while being on set of Star Wars.

Paul Bettany Freaks Out

“Oh, yeah, there were many moments where I went, oh, my gosh, I’m in a Star Wars movie. And I think because Ron and I were, you know, newcomers on the block as it were. You know, everyone else had been in there for eight months or whatever. And we were still totally un-jaded by it. And I kept elbowing him and saying, were making a Star Wars movie. We’re making a Star Wars movie. And my first day in fact, was I was on my starship I guess.

I have a starship and I was coming down the spiral staircase and a super chic asymmetric cloak I think you probably all noticed. And an R2 unit went by me with champagne flutes on and I went, fuck, I’m in Star Wars. And that was amazing.”

About Ron Howard

He also spoke very fondly of Ron Howard. He said working with him was easy because Ron was a great leader. He was also very inclusive and collaborative, but had a clear vision and a lot of confidence. And I think his vision came through in the final version of Solo: Star Wars Story.