Casting Adventures: How Did We Find the Right People for the Story?

Casting And On That Day was an adventure filled with unexpected twists, gut decisions, and moments of pure cinematic fate. Since the film was inspired by a real-life event, we knew we needed actors who could bring raw authenticity to the roles. We held traditional auditions, but we also kept an open mind for talent in unexpected places. One of our lead actors was discovered during a local theater performance—we saw them on stage, felt their presence, and knew instantly they were perfect for the film. Some actors nailed their auditions in ways we never expected, while others surprised us by interpreting the characters in ways we hadn’t considered. It was less about finding actors who simply fit the roles and more about discovering individuals who truly understood the story on a personal level.

One of the most surprising moments came when an actor showed up looking completely different from their headshot—so much so that we almost didn’t recognize them. But the second they started reading, they transformed into the character in a way that was undeniable. We ended up rewriting a role just to fit them into the film. That’s the beauty of casting—sometimes, the right person walks in, and you just know. By the time we had our final cast, it didn’t feel like a group of strangers coming together for a project; it felt like a family. They weren’t just reading lines—they were living the emotions, bringing depth to the story in ways that made every challenge we faced in casting completely worth it.