Not too many people know that they interviewed several boys for the part in the movie Ransom. The executive's son is kidnapped and spends most of the movie tied up. Here's the story of the kid who came in second, and didn't get the part – a story as told by both the kid and the director who auditioned him.

Mom said we were going to Simi Valley for a job. School's out now and I'm supposed to get summer jobs. I've never acted before, but she said it's not a hard part to play. She found this one and drove me over this morning. She dropped me off and told me to call when I was done. I hope she's home this time; she always forgets.

I knocked at the door and finally got inside. He wasn't all that tall; I figured he would be – he runs the entire movie. We went in the kitchen upstairs and he brought out cookies and milk. He explained the movie would be about a kidnapping and that I'd have to stay tied up for days! Not days in the movie, but they dont take pictures the whole time. Most of the time they just arrange the lights. But it would take a long time to tie me up each time. So the best thing would be to leave me tied up the whole time. That way, the ropes would be in the same place too!

Then he had some questions. First, he wanted to know if I was ever tied up before? I told him about the time over my cousin's house, and also the time when we lost at capture the flag. It wasn't hard to get loose at all, not tied up that way.

Then he wanted to know if I could get loose. I told him I probably could – I did the other times anyway. He said it was important to try and bet me I couldn't. He wouldn't say what it was, but I'd get it later if I could. Otherwise, he'd decide what it was if I lost.

Then he said it was time for the audition, if I was ready. I finished the milk and came down here into the playroom where the lights are. First he gave me the pajamas to wear for it. I didn't want to change right here, so I went and found the bathroom over there and changed into them. They're sort of loose, but at least I tied the string tight. I hope it's tight enough anyway!

When I came out, all these huge lights were on. He explained it was being filmed, so I have to keep my face showing during it. It's not easy when they're that bright.

First I had to lie down on this mat – this way on my tummy. He wanted them behind my back so I put them back. I crossed them and he started to wrap it. I don't know which one it was, but when he pulled that one tight, it got really tight. I guess it has to be this way for the movie, but it's tighter than my cousin did it. He just tied my feet together the regular way – just about as tight.

After that, he got back behind the camera and told me to try to get loose. I rolled over and sat up, and I've been trying my hands since then. My feet wouldn't come loose either, but at least I could move my knees apart some then. I've been looking up at the camera while I tried, but it probably has to be this tight for a kidnapping.

After I got sweaty because of the lights, I told him I wanted to get out, but he said that wasn't part of the deal. He rolled me back this way again and tied my feet to my hands so they're touching. I had to scrunch up so he could do it that tight. He said a good hogtie has to be finished and he had to be sure I could. I didn't know what he meant until he put this tape on. Even if anybody WAS outside, I don't think they'd be able to hear it. Not now. At least he turned all the lights off, but I don't know where he went. It's been a long time since he left and I'm not any better at getting out of it now either. I wish he'd come back.

The director's story:

I didn't think of it the first time I saw the script, but then I realized how special the part would be. A boy who is going to stay tied up that long is going to have to really like being tied up. Not only that, he'll have to prove himself to me. Since I've always liked tie up games, it should be fun to have company like this.

I put out feelers last month for boy actors and got lots of replies and pictures. His mom didn't even send in the application, but she brought him over to the office last Tuesday and looked really pressed. He's a natural for the part; I just hope he holds it together long enough.

It doesn't look too bad; he's been tied up for hours already. When he first came in, I could tell he was athletic. That will surely help. He's been tied up before, but he's not too obvious about it. I wouldn't know unless I asked him – but he did put his hands behind his back without asking. I can train him not to during the movie. Besides, he only gets tied up once – then stays that way.

When I brought him downstairs and showed him the set, he was OK about it. Some of the other boys I tied up openly gawked at all the equipment. That's not so great for an actor. He doesn't even seem to care that I'm video taping all this. And he's already got the PJs on. With a little bit of luck, I can use some of this footage in the movie – assuming he passes the audition. So far, none of the other boys have. I only have a few weeks before filming is supposed to officially start – and I have to be done before he goes back to school.

When I tied him up the first time, hands behind his back and feet tied, he squeaked just the way I'd thought of in the script. It's supposed to be a shock. I just hope I can keep that reaction in the movie; or get him to do it again in another take. It really doesn't hurt him anyway, it's just unexpected.

I stressed him under the lights just about the same amount of time I'd expect to shoot. I think he figured he was going to get loose when I turned off the lights. No way! This movie's much to important to short circuit this screen test. I put him into a hogtie much more strict than the other boys were. That's where most of them backed out and I had to thank them and let them go. I put the tape gag on with just one piece. If he's clever enough, he's licked an opening in it by now – so his breathing is safe. When I go back down in the morning, I'll wrap it two more times all the way around. He won't lick that off! If he sits still for that, I think he'll pass. If not, I may have to scramble some.

By then, he'll be very tired, hungry, and probably a very cranky boy. I can't shoot this with adult stand ins – it wouldn't be the same. He has to be tired, sweaty, cranky, and scared or it just won't be genuine.

I'll be taping the whole time. There's 8 more weeks of summer vacation. It's a long time for a boy to stay tied up, but I figure I'll have the movie almost finished by then if he lasts. Knowing his mom, she won't even surface until then anyway – if she ever comes back. I feel sorry for the boy with a mom like that. At least this way he's got a sizable income to put away for the future. Even if she dumps him on me, he's not a bad sort. And this way, at least I'll always know where my boy IS. – 24/7.