Nonunion Short Film for a Tech Company

Sep 14

Synopsis: 5-7 minute nonunion short film that explores how human connection fuels innovation through the emotional lens of a black innovator and how this person's legacy has shaped our world. This film is for a tech company.

Rate: $1,500 total, which covers performance, rehearsals, and a full buyout for OLV and Theatrical use (including all versions and cutdowns).
Fitting Fee: $35 pp
Work Requirements: Please note that if cast, talent will need to self report. Production doesn't cover travel expenses for talent.

Filming Date: October 14th, 2025
Rehearsal Dates: Week of October 6th-10th (in-person preferred)
Wardrobe Fitting: Week of October 6th-10th
Filming Location: Washington, DC area

Roles:
1.) Kayla
Casting Breakdown:

Age Range: 16–18 (to realistically play a high school junior/senior).
Height: 5’2 - 5’6
Weight: Open
Hair Type: Curly
Ethnicity: Black/African American
Look: Smart, stylish, curious. Should feel like a “real” teenager, not overly polished — natural charm.
Tone: Spirited, ambitious, witty.
Character Notes (Director’s Vision):
Kayla is clever, driven, and just a little mischievous. Often sneaking around Zion’s room, teasing him about his teddy bear.
See her styling being cute, polished with a little bit of sporty
She’s also confident, but witty. Admires her older brother and respects his opinion.
She’s proud of being elected Robotics Club captain; this is a big moment in her journey.
Her dynamic with Zion is rooted in playful sibling rivalry, but underneath is a deep admiration for him.
Needs to feel multidimensional: a teen still navigating high school life, but also a budding leader inspired by tech, innovation, and family legacy.
Strong emotional shift from playful teasing → frustration at his absence → joy at the surprise reunion.
Their relationship is the emotional core of the storyline.
Need actors with natural comedic timing for banter AND the ability to deliver authentic emotional warmth.
They both need to feel and look confident in their individuality while admiring each other as siblings.
There is a playful sibling thread that makes this black innovator's impact feel close and personal.
Two teens connect through the very things this innovator helped bring into the world. Chemistry is a high priority!

2.) Zion
Casting Breakdown:
Age Range: 19–23 (to realistically play a college sophomore/junior)
Height: 5’11 - 6’2
Weight: 180 - 240 lbs
Hair Type: Locs or low haircut
Facial Hair: Open
Ethnicity: Black/African American
Look: Relatable, approachable, youthful but maturing into adulthood. Could still feel “boyish” at times but with a growing sense of responsibility.
Tone: Warm, grounded, playful.

Character Notes (Director’s Vision):

Zion is a college student, recently declared his major, and proud to be on the Dean’s List.
Envision him being well dressed and stylish
Older brother energy: protective, teasing, but deeply supportive of his younger sister.
He masks his stress and workload with humor, but his love for Kayla always shines through.
Feels like the “bridge” between childhood and adulthood. He’s grown enough to mentor, but young enough to still joke around.
Needs to feel cool, confident like a cool big brother but also a little nerdy enough that can be teased by his younger sister.
Must be able to balance comedic timing (teasing banter) with emotional sincerity (pep talk, surprise visit).

Audition Directions:
PLEASE READ THROUGH EACH OF THESE SCENES and refer to the notes above:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vqMpPN9wI6rklqzWVc18F0p8xV6uNVdqVKz7I0P2xUM/edit?slide=id.g345163de354_1_2043#slide=id.g345163de354_1_2043

OVERALL CASTING NOTE ON SIBLING CHEMISTRY:
Their relationship is the emotional core of the storyline.
Need actors with natural comedic timing for banter AND the ability to deliver authentic emotional warmth.
They both need to feel and look confident in their individuality while admiring each other as siblings.
Casting should focus on chemistry reads: playful teasing should feel easy, not forced.
Ideally, Kayla should feel like she looks up to Zion, and Zion should feel like he protects and pushes Kayla forward, mirroring the Innovator’s themes of mentorship, support, and legacy.

Audition Directions Continued:
By 10AM ET on Monday 9/15, please upload
·       1 professional headshot if you have one – please label the file clearly.
Example: JuliaRaymond_Headshot.jpg

·       1 current selfie (taken as recently as today)
Example: JuliaRaymond_Selfie.jpg

·       1 full body shot (Standing against a wall. No mirror selfies please.)
Example: JuliaRaymond_FullBody.jpg

·       1 slate video saved as a .mp4, .wmv, .mov or .vid
Example: JuliaRaymond_Slate.mp4

·       1 self tape/audition video saved as a .mp4, .wmv, .mov or .vid
Example: JuliaRaymond_SelfTape.mp4

·    Upload 1 document that lists the following…
- Your Name
- Contact info (cell and email) if you’re unrepped
- Contact info (phone and email) of your agent if you’re repped
- Any conflicts you have during our window of dates
- Confirmation that you understand you’ll need to self-report to DC if cast

- Height
- Weight
- Shirt
- Pants
- Shoes
Please label your file with your full name.
Example: JuliaRaymond_Details.doc
For your slate video, please tell us “Hello my name is ____ and I’m from _____” (tell us the town where you currently live)
Do not include your agent’s name, your telephone number, your weight, your age or anything else. Just “Hello my name is _____ and I’m from____.
For your self tape/audition video:
Please choose 2 scenes from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vqMpPN9wI6rklqzWVc18F0p8xV6uNVdqVKz7I0P2xUM/edit?slide=id.g345163de354_1_2043#slide=id.g345163de354_1_2043

And use the role refence notes above. You can also use the images in the script as inspiration for your self tape set up. Please don’t bring another person in front of the camera, BUT if you have a reader off camera who’ll be reading your sibling’s lines, that will help you stay in character and maintain your sibling chemistry.

And both scenes can be on the same tape. Just take a beat between the 2 scenes to reset/get into character

Then please upload your files to this dropbox folder:
https://www.dropbox.com/request/NZ4H3LjJ9UnpCYc6452v