The Production Short of
"Letters From The Field"
From an Eye-witness Account of Custer's Last Stand

Casting of History

Dan McCluskey at the Little Bighorn Valley

Dan McCluskey Photo

Casting

Auditions were held to select the actors for key soldiers. The parts include acting and dialog while riding horses, plus the use of fire-arms and hand-to-hand combat. Calls went out for reenactors as extras who have extensive horse riding experience and they bring fire-arm experienced and well-trained horses from three counties and two states. Native Americans were selected from stunt-extras who have the look and can ride a horse bareback.

Cast

Three auditions were held with 40 actors by the director, Kousa Yang, and the writer, Douglas Westfall. Cameron Webb was the only one selected during the audition, as the lead. Having acted in television, theater, and film in over a dozen productions, coupled with his look and reading, there was no question he had to play Wallace.

Larry Long took the part of Sergeant Ryan because of his background and near 20 appearances in Television, Theater, and film. Joseph Bellissimo was chosen for the part of Major Reno for his background and extensive horse riding experience -- all the actors are required to gallop a horse down the valley in full costume. Robb Hughes received the part of Captain French because of his 16 television and theater parts.

Gualberto Del Toro received the part of Lt. Varnum, Gregory David Danler, got the part of Lt. Hodgson, and Jose Orellana Jr. the part of Scout Jackson. All these actors read well and came with the experience needed for each part.

Extras

Extras is a simplistic term for the 40 people needed to ride horses into combat, in period costumes, with primitive weapons. Yet that is what is required. These horses are used to gunfire, cannon fire, and riding into mock battles with soldiers who do battle, sometimes every week. They come from up to 500 miles away, bringing their steeds, costumes and weapons. They are used to riding in formation and can follow orders under the strain of combat.

"Letters From The Field"
First in the ~My American History~ series.