About the project and the company
CASTING CALL FOR THE SHORT FILM —> CYCLES ©2023
PAY RATE: Yes, paid but will be on the micro-budget, low budget range. Past films have ranged from free to low hundreds for key roles but still working that out. Exact rates TBD
USAGE (if a commercial or corporate/industrial project): Narrative short film for Festivals and streaming
PROJECT TITLE & TYPE: Cycles (Working title), Short Film
PRODUCTION DATE(S): Exact timing TBD but targeting 2-3 shooting days in April or May to be coordinated with cast and crew. The dates are also based on actor availability so the ones I have listed in form are flexible/TBD.
FILMING LOCATION(S): Seattle area, Burien
PROJECT SYNOPSIS & CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS:
This is a short film inspired by trying to finish and submit for the inaugural Northwest Flying Saucer Film Fest. Mix of a film noir and sci-fi surrealism. We’ll throw some action and paranoia in there also.
A lonely broken alien in human form as an older man longs for his mission and his life to end after decades of living amongst and spying on the human race. His physiological defenses against other’s human emotions that can cause him actual physical pain are breaking down. He has become a shut-in and rarely leaves his cluttered apartment. The only others he interacts with regularly are his human drug dealer and another resident he’s convinced is also an alien but from a different planet. When the other being appears in his room one night talking of prisons, experiments and captive progeny that must be freed, reality itself begins to break down and everything begins to go to hell.
Narrator/Protagonist – Male Lead – 40s – 50s – Throwback to old noir – think Bogart. Weathered, gravelly, great voice. Perhaps gaunt but flexible on that. Must be willing to wear makeup, SFX, costumes.
An older man beaten down by life. His grasp on reality is weakening and he has to develop active static in his perceptions to deal with any human. He slips back and forth between English and his native language which is a mixture of sounds and motions. Memories and knowledge blur. The drugs he takes don’t do much but he’s at the end of his rope. Later he will gain his confidence and strength back but it will be a journey to get there.
Drug Dealer – Male Supporting – 20s -30s
Talkative, a little jumpy, suspicious. Hiding secrets.
Woman in the apartment – Female Supporting – 30s -40s –
Ranges between mysterious and confident. She appears as an elusive character at first but will ultimately be the instigator in the story to help change everything. In different modes, she can be terrified, a complete badass, a desperate mother fluctuating quickly between all three.
Also must be willing to wear makeup, SFX, costumes
Other smaller roles and extras will be cast at a later time but happy to gather contact info for that now.
STUNTS/NUDITY/INTIMACY:
No nudity. Light fight scenes and as noted FX
COVID SAFETY: At this point, just common sense. Will ask anyone who does not feel well to be transparent with cast and crew and test but will not require testing to be on set if people are feeling okay.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 3/16
PRODUCER: Erik Vision and Dan Hickey
CASTING DIRECTOR: N/A – Submit to Producer/Director
SUBMISSION EMAIL: erikvision@yahoo.com and danielahickeyproducer@gmail.com
Please share reel/short film/resume work for initial consideration to email. We will likely hold either Zoom or live auditions with sides (TBD) for people we are considering as a second round and will communicate that in a timely fashion. And any questions, please ask. If you don’t have a reel, we will still consider.
Thank you so much in advance for your consideration and submissions. We look forward to checking out your work and getting to know you.
Audition requirements
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTION
Please share reel/short film/resume work for initial consideration to email. We will likely hold either Zoom or live auditions with sides (TBD) for people we are considering as a second round and will communicate that in a timely fashion. And any questions, please ask. If you don’t have a reel, we will still consider.
Thank you so much in advance for your consideration and submissions. We look forward to checking out your work and getting to know you.