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Filmmaker Finds Stars on TikTok for 'The Singers'
26 Feb
Summary
- Director Sam Davis discovered cast members via social media.
- Unknowns were sought for 'The Singers' modern retelling.
- The film is a modern adaptation of an 1800s short story.
Director Sam Davis found inspiration for his film 'The Singers' from an 1800s short story and a viral singing video. He embarked on an unconventional casting process, utilizing social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to discover unknown talents with unique voices.
This method, described as 'obsessively scrolling,' aimed to find 'small town karaoke legends' and unexpected performers. Davis sought to create "a love letter to the underdog," eventually finding his ensemble after months of searching and direct outreach via social media DMs.
One of the cast members, Mike Young, shared a personal story about dedicating his performance to his late wife, adding a poignant real-life element to the film. 'The Singers' has been nominated for best live-action short and is currently streaming on Netflix.
Dawn Yang of TikTok highlighted the platform's role in talent discovery, noting how productions like 'The Singers' are leveraging it to connect creators with real-world opportunities and new audiences.
