When Kalthoum Ahmad began reading the script, she was obviously nervous and intimidated.
The Sudanese actress, who has both theatre and film experience, was among the hopefuls to turn up during three days of auditioning this week for the feature-length Emirati horror film, The Jinn.
"Don't worry, you're doing great," said Sarah Abdullah, the 29-year-old owner of Take One Casting in Dubai. "But try doing it like this." She immediately put Mrs Ahmad at ease, which was evident in her next, more successful delivery - all part of Ms Abdullah's goals for the process.
"Those who come in for the casting bring their lives into this room," she said. "And for that I am truly blessed."
Ms Abdullah created a production department while at Leo Burnett Dubai for eight years and opened her agency in October 2008. More than two years on, Take One is casting for television, film, commercials and models.
Ms Abdullah has cast actors for a number of clients including Etisalat, Du, Lifebuoy, Saudi Arabia's Mobily and Saudi Telecom. She has also donated her services for various causes, among them producing a television campaign against human trafficking.
"Take One is a one-stop shop for any production house looking for actors," Ms Abdullah said. "Where other casting companies wait for people to walk in through the door, I am very much hands on and hit the streets looking for people who I think would be perfect for a particular role."
Such was the case when Chevrolet contacted Take One two years ago looking for two Japanese men to play the part of Hiroshi and Osamu for their Cruze campaign.
She went to a local mall and spotted the Japanese man she later hired. I explained to him that I owned a casting company and wanted him to be an actor," she said. "He said he was here in Dubai on vacation and didn't have time.
"I kept at him and convinced him to get into my car, which he was scared to do, but I had to because I was afraid he wouldn't answer when I called him.
"I took him to the agency and cast him for the role and he ended up being perfect for it. He signed on with my agency and got the part of Osamu. The campaign lasted for two years, he got an amazing contract. He is now a celebrity in Japan.
ealghalib@thenational.ae
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
