Innovation breeds innovation. Producers knew they didn’t want to make 10 Days in a Madhouse like any other movie. A movie detailing the true story of a women who changed the world with her innovation deserves to be made with twists as unique as Nellie Bly herself.

“In the 1880s, she pioneered the development of “detective” or “stunt” journalism,” explains author Brooke Kroeger. Nellie pioneered undercover investigative reporting for Pulitzer’s The World newspaper by fearlessly getting herself declared insane so she could expose rape, murder, neglect and other atrocities at the infamous Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum.

n Nellie’s highly innovative spirit, producers are introducing a potential game changer to how movies are cast. Rather than hold traditional auditions, they are holding a worldwide star search online. “Everyone has seen American Idol and America’s got Talent. We are doing a version of that with the casting of our movie,” explains producer Susan Goforth. Anyone can upload a video to their dedicated Youtube channel by September 27th. The director and producers will choose their top 50 applicants which the world will then vote on. Google and YouTube are very excited about the innovative new approach and are building a framework to host the competition.

“Far from being a stunt,” says director Timothy Hines. “A worldwide star search is an extremely good way to choose the lead in our movie. At the final stage, the world will decide who they respond to the strongest. Nellie Bly had a charisma that everyone acknowledged. Her spirit was infectious and that’s the kind of actress we need to fill her shoes.” The star search has already gained traction with numerous well-known actresses already stating they will audition and some major corporations are in talks with the producers to sponsor it.

“This is the first ever movie cast by a worldwide internet star search. The people at Google see the potential and that is why they are building the framework and providing support,” explains producer Jesse Zesbaugh, who is leading the star search campaign. But the innovation does not end there. The producers are also seeking to fund the movie with a unique mix of public funding and select corporate sponsorships. Details the Star Search can be found at: http://www.10daysinamadhouse.com/Nellie-Bly-Star-Search.html.