I'm in the process of casting my second film. This film is going to be nothing more than a five minute (or less) web short. I've already approached one actress for the female role (who is more than willing to do it), but I'm not sure she's really the one I want. I'm pretty confident, however, that a coworker of mine *is* the one I want.
Here's the problem: said coworker was recently involved in a sexual harassment case against another co-worker. As the film I'm looking to make has strong sexual undercurrents, I'm not sure that I want to risk my job to approach her about the film in a work environment. The biggest problem is that the only time I ever see said coworker is in a work environment.
A bit about the woman I'm looking to approach (intentionally ambiguous): She's certainly of a performing mindset, as she has aspirations to be either a professional cheerleader or actress (or both). She certainly has the raw talent, particularly for the role I'm interested in her for, as she has an incredible ability to express herself through facial expressions and body language alone (The role has no spoken lines, and must be portrayd entirely visually). She's extremely attractive, which is also a criteria of the role, and also has a sense of how to look sexy without looking slutty (also needed for the role). Finally, she's also young, which is a must for the role (just turned 18 this past August).
The role itself requires no nudity, but does have strong sexual undercurrents. Speaking of this role in a work environment is dangerous at best.
I'm trying to figure out the best way to approach her about it.
I've given a lot of thought to how I can do it, but nothing really seems to be completely safe (and the last thing I want is to lose my job or end up on the sexual offenders list).
First, I've thought about approaching her at work, prefacing it as a non-work related thing, and gradually expressing the full requirements of the role.
I've also thought about asking her for her personal email address, so that I could ask her about something "not work related."
Any suggestions from the peanut gallery?
Keep in mind that my job is as a government contractor, and is highly sensitive to sexual harassment claims. Just asking someone about this role, assuming I explain it, could be construed as sexual harassment (I fucking hate the ultra-sensitive nature of modern America). I want this woman in this role, but I refuse to lose my job over it.