'Paranoid Park' will be populated with unknowns

Oscar-nominated director Gus Van Sant is holding an open casting call for both supporting and lead roles in his next film, titled "Paranoid Park."

The call, which went out on MySpace, as well as other Internet realms, is described as being the primary casting process for the film. Like several previous Van Sant films, "Paranoid Park" will be filmed in Portland and the Aug. 3 and Aug. 5 calls will take place at the city's Ambridge Event Center.

Under the "Who I'd Like to Meet" box on the MySpace page is the listing, "Teenagers including but not limited to: skaters, honor roll, cheerleaders, punks, drama kids, musicians, artists, student council, athletes, award winners, class skippers, photographers, band members, leaders, followers, shy kids, class clowns, foreign language speakers ..."

Van Sant is hoping to shoot the film -- described as a coming-of-age drama set partially in the skateboarding community -- in October, wrapping by next summer.

The "Good Will Hunting" and "Psycho" helmer has had some previous success with this kind of casting. Van Sant's 2003 film "Elephant," starring mostly unknowns, won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. John Robinson, one of the actors found in the search, has appeared in addition films including "Lords of Dogtown."