Details
Union:
Union or Non union
Area of media:
Short Film
Network:
Telus STORYHIVE
Paid?:
No
Rates:
We will be working under the UBCP/ACTRA ULB agreement
Deadline:
Feb 25, 2025
Shooting starts:
May 2, 2025
Shooting finishes:
May 5, 2025
Shooting locations:
Vernon, B.C.
Cities for response:
Vancouver, Kelowna
Comments
Looking for passionate, talented actors to join our predominantly female cast and crew for a collaborative, fun project shooting in the Okanagan this spring.
Telus Storyhive Short Drama
Written and Directed by: Janalee Budge
Produced by: Krista Rand and Jessica To
Actors will be working under the UBCP/ACTRA ULB agreement
Volunteer
Shoot dates: May 2-5, 2025
Shooting Location: Vernon, BC
Telus Storyhive Short Drama
Written and Directed by: Janalee Budge
Produced by: Krista Rand and Jessica To
Actors will be working under the UBCP/ACTRA ULB agreement
Volunteer
Shoot dates: May 2-5, 2025
Shooting Location: Vernon, BC
Storyline
The Knitting Diaries is a quirky drama about a Chinese grandmother/shopkeeper who entangles her family in a
web of secrets and betrayal when her unorthodox business practices, involving a group of Mennonite
grandmothers goes off the rails.
The story is told from the eyes of her 10-year-old granddaughter, Emily Wong, who, following the mysterious
death of her Mennonite father, is forced to move into her Chinese grandmother's corner store. While her mother,
Francis, tries to solve the mystery of her husband’s sudden death, Emily looks to her grandmother for guidance.
She learns many valuable lessons from her grandmother until one lesson turns into a life-threatening situation.
Family values, cultural roles, and small town ideals are challenged, as the town is forced to decide which side of
the line of morality their roots will fall.
web of secrets and betrayal when her unorthodox business practices, involving a group of Mennonite
grandmothers goes off the rails.
The story is told from the eyes of her 10-year-old granddaughter, Emily Wong, who, following the mysterious
death of her Mennonite father, is forced to move into her Chinese grandmother's corner store. While her mother,
Francis, tries to solve the mystery of her husband’s sudden death, Emily looks to her grandmother for guidance.
She learns many valuable lessons from her grandmother until one lesson turns into a life-threatening situation.
Family values, cultural roles, and small town ideals are challenged, as the town is forced to decide which side of
the line of morality their roots will fall.
Roles
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | Grandma Wong | Female 60 - 70 Years old |
Description Chinese immigrant grandmother: Stern, no filter, with a sharp sense for business, an unwavering work ethic, and an impermeable coat of emotional armor. She has lived in Canada long enough almost to lose her accent but not her fight-for-survival attitude. She has an impeccable memory, does not forgive easily, and is a ruthless and resourceful businesswoman. As the only Asian family in town, she is used to being an outsider but always knows the inside scoop. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Supporting | Mrs Friesen | Female 60 - 70 Years old |
Description Caucasian Mennonite grandmother: A polite, soft-spoken woman on the outside but with a witty sense of humour on the inside. Only those closest to her get the benefit of her underbreath commentary. She is a curious observer. She’s the tactician. She’s the last person that you would expect to go against tradition, but she’s way too smart to keep doing things just for the sake of tradition. Her quick wit and analytical brain make her indispensable when shit needs to get done. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Supporting | Mrs. Toews | Female 60 - 70 Years old |
Description Caucasian Mennonite grandmother: Quirky, jovial woman with a heart of gold. She tends to blurt things out before polishing her thoughts, but her intentions are always kind. She’s a god-fearing people-pleaser who wants everyone to get along but won’t hesitate to call you out if she thinks you’re wrong. She’s strong-minded and would do anything to help a friend in need. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Large Principal | Francis Wong | Female 26 - 29 Years old |
Description Chinese/Canadian (Emily’s mother): Smart, tough, sarcastic widow whose life is way more complicated than it should be for someone her age. Her motherly instincts become distorted as her drive to solve the mysterious death of her husband consumes her. Her relationships with her mother, culture, and hometown are layered with complications that pull her in conflicting directions. She’s driven primarily by fear of failing her daughter and determined not to become her mother, but at the same time, she yearns for her mother’s approval. She’s fiercely independent, stubborn, and badass. | ||