Film School

The Winter Cardinal Perched on a Branch, Then Flew Away

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Details

Union:

Union or Non union

Area of media:

Film School

Network:

Paid?:

Rates:

Non paid student film.

Deadline:

Dec 10, 2024

Auditions:

Self tapes by request.

Callbacks:

In person/zoom TBD

Shooting starts:

Dec 13, 2024

Shooting finishes:

Dec 16, 2024 Shooting may conclude a day earlier on the 15th

Shooting locations:

Various locations in Toronto

Cities for response:

Toronto

Comments

Casting 'The Winter Cardinal Perched on a Branch, Then Flew Away' a thesis short film being produced at York University. We are a veteran team of young filmmakers, with several international festival appearances under our belt. The team is very enthusiastic about this project and our material and we hope to find a cast as passionate as we are.

We can accept union and non-union actors through our student agreement with ACTRA. This is a non-paying student film and no permit is required. Actors will receive a copy of the finished film for their demo reel.

Meals and transport will be provided, as well as a digital copy of the film for personal use.

Storyline

A sensual romance of yearning, and unfulfilled love, set in an all boys boarding school during the 1970's.

Thomas, a student at Pembrooke Academy, and an aspiring ornithologist, becomes enamored with elder classmen Dickie. They meet through a series of chance encounters and form a close bond, as unexpressed emotions and desires brew in them both. Dickie becomes Thomas' world, but when he suddenly leaves the school, their feelings left unspoken, Thomas crashes back down to earth. Set in the 1970's, this romantic period piece has distinct aesthetics and a rich emotional core that will speak to audiences of all kinds.

Roles

Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Lead	Thomas Sheridan	Male 16 - 26 Years old
Description Thomas is the film's lead. He's a 17-year-old student at Pembrooke Academy, an all-boys boarding school. Bookish and soft-spoken, he has a fascination with birds, and a penchant for his mind to wander and similarly float through the clouds. In the story, he encounters Dickie, an older student at his academy, and develops an intense longing. He has a yearning, but unspoken love for Dickie. As their friendship blossoms, they come ever so close to admitting their feelings to each other and actualizing their mutual desire. However, when Dickie suddenly leaves, like a bird of prey, he tears apart Thomas' heart. Which leaves him to crash back down to earth. Thomas is a rich character who experiences a deep range of emotions over the duration of the film, and so will be a challenging and fulfilling role. Please note this character has a scene in which they smoke on camera (prop cigarettes will be used).
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Lead	Dickie Henly	Male 17 - 25 Years old
Description The co-lead and main romantic interest of the lead character Thomas. He's a 17/18-year-old student at Pembrooke Academy, an all-boys boarding school. He's intelligent and charming and has an enrapturing aura that draws in the protagonist and the audience. However, this exterior hides the melting pot beneath the surface. Where his severe religious and familial trauma tugged at his very being and caused his self-destructive behavior. In the story, Dickie has a chance encounter with Thomas, and from there the two quickly become closer, as an unspoken feeling seems to pull them together. Unbeknownst to Thomas, Dickie develops a similar fascination with him as he has for Dickie, pining after him in every moment they're together. Both boys find a sense of escape in each other. However, Dickie's trauma and the outside factors of his life make him to be overt with his feelings. Eventually, miscommunication leads Thomas to turn his back on Dickie, who is left to pick up the pieces of his life and leave. Dickie is a very emotionally complex character, it's a challenging role, and in the right hands will be a defining part. Please note this character has several scenes in which they smoke on camera (prop cigarettes will be used).
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Principal	Paul Holiday	Male 17 - 25 Years old
Description The best friend of the main character Thomas. He's a 17-year-old student at Pembrooke Academy, an all-boys boarding school. Loud and deviant, Paul is Thomas' foil and pushes him to live a more adventurous life. From a privileged background, Paul is more concerned with parties and pinups than anything else, but he's still a fierce friend. He tries to convince others to think he's a lot cooler and more mature than he is, and he also tries to convince himself, that he craves that validation.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Principal	Clark	Male 17 - 26 Years old
Description A 17-year-old student at Pembrooke Academy, an all-boys boarding school. He is a member of the lead character Thomas' friend group. He is the oldest of the boys and is quieter and more thoughtful than Thomas' other friends. He goes along with their nonsense but he also reality checks them when he needs to. He's the voice of reason. He knows not to take his opportunity for granted and cares more about school than the others.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Principal	Raymond	Male 16 - 24 Years old
Description A 17-year-old student at Pembrooke Academy, an all-boys school. He is a member of the lead character Thomas' group of friends. He is the youngest, and the punching bag of the group. He chimes in too often and makes a fool of himself, as he isn't the sharpest. He's a loyal friend and cares more about hijinks than school.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Principal	Headmaster Sanford	Male 35 - 65 Years old
Description The headmaster of Pembrooke Academy, an all-boys boarding school. He tries to assume a mentorship position for his students, including Thomas the lead. He is stern with his authority but is very eloquent in his teaching and empathetic in his approach, he does his best to be sensitive to the boys' issues and look out for their best interest. Come the story's end, he sees Thomas' failure as his own.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Actor	Father Ellsworth	Male 35 - 60 Years old
Description The pastor at Pembrooke Academy, an all-boys school. He is a mean bastard. The school's iron fist. He harshly dishes out punishment to students, and in particular, has an out for (co-lead) Dickie. He doesn't speak but hangs over the entire film as a looming danger, and always exists in the periphery of the frame. He gets off on beating and threatening the students, abusing his power, full of resentment.

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