Brooklynn Prince
Like most of the actors involved in Sean Baker's The Florida Project, Brooklynn Prince was not a professional actor. In fact, she had not acted in film or television prior to appearing in this film.
Baker auditioned more than 300 girls for the part of 8-year-old rambunctious Moonee before settling on Prince. On the verge of postponing production on the film, Baker stumbled upon Prince. She was one of the final people he auditioned. Says Baker, "For some reason, she didn't come in for our first few casting calls. Then one day she came in. Within seconds, she won us over. Brooklynn just had everything I was looking for. The wit, the energy, the cuteness."
The Florida Project was Prince's breakout role. She will appearing in a number of film and television shows which will start to be released in 2019 (including a prominent voice role in The Angry Birds Movie 2).
Bria Vinaite
Like most of the actors involved in The Florida Project, Bria Vinaite was not a professional actor. In fact, she had not acted in anything prior to appearing in this film.
Initially, producers wanted a big-time Hollywood star to play Halley (they wanted either Miley Cyrus or Britney Spears). However, writer-producer-director felt it would be inappropriate for a millionaire to play the part of a destitute stripper. Interestingly, Baker offered Vinaite the part after seeing an Instagram video which she had posted to keep her friends up to date with her life. She never meant for anyone other than her friends to see the video. Vinaite accepted Baker's offer to play the role of Halley, a crass and vulgar stripper and single mother trying to survive Florida.
Prior to filming the role, Vinaite took three weeks of acting classes from an acting teacher named Samantha Quan. She has since appeared in a number of other movies and television shows. Recalls Vinaite: "May 8, 2016, my life changed. I definitely didn't think it was real because I don't think anybody would ever assume something like that would happen through a social platform. It took me a few days to kind of really get that it was real."
Willem Dafoe
Unlike most of his fellow cast members in The Florida Project, Willem Dafoe is a trained actor who has appeared in countless film and T.V. show productions.
Dafoe plays Bobby Hicks, a kind-hearted but stern motel manager who is a bit like a father figure to many of the kids who live there and who keeps things in order at the motel. Dafoe was a big fan of Baker's previous films; when he heard that the film was still casting, he got his hands on a script. When Dafoe expressed interest in the part, Baker flew and met him in New York and articulated his vision for the film. Dafoe was not nervous about working with first-time actors as he felt he could have "more of an ability to really disappear into the fabric of the story."
For his work in the film, Dafoe was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Christopher Rivera
Like most of the actors involved in The Florida Project, Christopher Rivera was not a professional actor. In fact, he had not acted in anything prior to appearing in this film.
Interestingly, Baker discovered Rivera in a motel like those featured in this film. He and his family were able to move into an apartment because of the salary he earned for his work on the film.
Valeria Cotto
Much like most of the actors involved in The Florida Project, Valeria Cotto was not a professional actor. In fact, she had not acted in anything prior to appearing in this film.
Baker discovered Cotto while shopping in a Florida Target. He quickly offered her the part of the always-energetic Jancey -- one of Moonees new friends -- and she accepted.
