Revolver Entertainment has teamed up with the social networking site Bebo and the National Basketball Association (NBA) in a unique initiative. Talented individuals are sought to take on the lead roles in Freestyle, a British urban drama funded through Film London, set in the competitive world of freestyle basketball.

Open regional auditions will be held throughout January, London (10), Manchester (17) and Birmingham (18) to find individuals who can not only act, but bust some moves on the dance floor and master a ball on the basketball court (full venue information is shown below). The lucky few who stand out from the crowd will be invited to compete in the grand finals in London on 24 January.

Freestyle follows the story of Ondene and Leon – teenagers living on different sides of the tracks, but bound together by love and basketball. The production team is looking to fulfil the following roles:

• Ondene Marchant
  A beautiful and smart girl from a wealthy background – she’s happy to follow her mother’s rules, until she falls in love and discovers the world of freestyle basketball.
  Role requirements: Mixed-race girl, playing age 17. Good basketball skills essential, freestyle and dance skills preferred.
• Prunella
  Leon’s ex-girlfriend and Ondene’s rival - both on and off the court. She works in a record shop, has bags of attitude and wicked freestyle skills to match.
  Role requirements: Afro-Caribbean female, playing age 18. Good freestyle skills essential.
• Man-Man
  One of Leon’s best friends. He’s well built and gets called Man-Man because he’s so tall!
  Role requirements: Afro-Caribbean male, playing age 18. Must be over 6ft, athletic build and have strong freestyle skills.
• Extras/Supporting Roles
  Role Requirements: No age or race restrictions. Must have basketball skills.

The ‘Search for a Star’ contest will be judged by a panel of experts including Kolton Lee (Freestyle director and ex-professional basketball player), Kenrick “H20” Sandy (infamous choreographer who has worked with the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Misteeq, Sugarbabes, Big Brovas and Fergie) and a special celebrity guest. 

Full venue information is as follows:

• London Auditions
  Saturday 10 January, 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 6pm
  Lilian Baylis Old School
  Lollard Street
  London, SE11 6PY
• Manchester Auditions
  Saturday 17 January, 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm
  Sugden Sports Centre
  114 Grosvenor Street
  Manchester, M1 7HL
• Birmingham Auditions
  Sunday 18 January, 9.30am - 12pm and 1pm - 4pm
  Community Hall
  National Indoor Arena
  King Edwards Road
  Birmingham, B1 2AA

Register for a chance to audition for the ‘Search for a Star’ competition on the film’s Bebo profile. Further information about the film can be found on the Microwave website.

Freestyle has been financed by Film London and BBC Films, Revolver Entertainment and UKFC, and it will be released in the UK in autumn 2009 by Revolver Entertainment.

Image by *sean