Osoyoos’s Kaleb Mailey, nine, was cast to play a younger version of one of the main characters in the film Pressed, a Canadian film which begins shooting in Kelowna next month. Photo by Paul Everest - Click on picture for larger image
OSOYOOS TIMES-September 22, 2010
By Paul Everest – Osoyoos Times
When nine-year-old Kaleb Mailey got home from school on Sept. 16, he had a huge surprise waiting for him.
“I freaked out because I was so happy,” he said.
Just one day earlier, Kaleb had attended an audition for a feature film called Pressed that starts shooting in the Kelowna area next month.
Up against more than a dozen other young actors, many of whom were from the Vancouver area, Kaleb kept his cool when in front of the people casting the film, including the movie’s writer and director, Justin Donnelly.
Kaleb’s mother, Adrienne Mailey, said she heard from Kaleb’s agent the day after the audition that her son had “nailed it” and was given the juicy role of playing one of the film’s main characters as a child.
“I was very happy,” Adrienne said.
In a flashback sequence, Kaleb will play a younger version of Jesse, who, according to a synopsis of the film from the Okanagan Film Commission, takes a joyride with his friend Sam in a stolen car one afternoon.
What the pair discover in the backseat of the car “could change their lives forever,” the synopsis states.
“Brian, unknown to Jesse and Sam, is desperately trying to seek a ‘quick fix’ business deal that will put him back on top financially after being let go from his executive position at one of the top investment firms. Brian decides to go ‘all in,’ investing the rest of his savings into a short-term drug deal. After Jesse and Sam intercept the illicit drug money, they soon learn that they’ve stolen from the wrong people.”
Kaleb said that as part of the auditioning process, he had to view a mock-up of a dead body and follow the directions of casting directors.
He said he was “very nervous” but his adrenaline kicked in and allowed him to stay cool.
Adrienne added that Kaleb never showed his nerves and part of the reason he was chosen was due to his resemblance to the actor that will play Jesse as an adult.
According to the Internet Movie Database, 23-year-old Tyler Johnston of New Westminster is rumoured to play Jesse as an adult.
The Maileys were still waiting for information on what Kaleb will need to do for the film, but they know that filming takes place from October 4 to 22 in Kelowna.
Kaleb has just started his journey towards becoming an actor.
Adrienne said he has participated in shows put on by the Missoula Children’s Theatre International Tour when the group has come to the South Okanagan in the past.
In July of 2009, Kaleb took to the stage in the South Okanagan Amateur Players’ production of Sand Mountain, a comedic tale set in the American south in the 19th century.
And last month, Kaleb attended the Biz Studio, a Vancouver school that teaches professional screen acting to children and teenagers.
While there, Kaleb worked under the direction of Michael Bean in areas such as being in front of the camera, auditioning techniques and etiquette and comedic acting.
He also met with casting agents.
Adrienne said Kaleb will be taking more acting and film-related lessons in Vancouver this fall and added that Kaleb’s entire family is encouraging him to pursue his dream.
Kaleb said he’s not sure how he’ll prepare for the role as he had not received a script yet.
But his excitement for the part is spilling out of him.
When he told his Grade 4 classmates at Osoyoos Elementary School that he had won the part, they were ecstatic, Kaleb said.
“They were like ‘Oh my God!’”
Although he’s still in elementary school, Kaleb said he knows he wants to work in films as a career.
“I want to be an actor.”
Aside from getting a chance to be in front of the camera, however, Kaleb is looking forward to another perk of landing a role in Pressed.
“I’m just happy that I’m missing school.”
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