Filmmakers need actors. Actors need work. But there's no guarantee that the right people connect with the right projects.

The Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawai'i, whose students produce around 150 short films a year, is undertaking an ambitious project this month, traveling around the island to audition actors of all backgrounds and experience levels. The auditions will be taped and saved in an actor database for student filmmakers.

Assistant professor Joel Moffett, who is overseeing the auditions, said Hawai'i has a strong pool of theatrical actors who often lack film credits to get work on screen. Acting in student films can be a way to gain experience and collect usable material for audition reels.

Moffett said the projects — many have strong Hawai'i themes — will benefit from using actors, even untrained ones, who have roots in the community.

"We're constantly telling stories about local families using actors who are not actors," Moffett said. "If we're going to do that, why not use actors who are not necessarily actors but who are closer to the story?"

The academy is looking for males and females, ages 6 to 80, for a variety of roles in upcoming student projects.

The auditions will include a "cold" (unrehearsed) reading; actors may also present a monologue of less than one minute in length. Photo and resume are preferred but not required. No acting experience is necessary.

Audition Schedule:

NOV. 16