Casting Call: Lifting as we climb

Casting calls list

Short Film

Lifting as we climb

Details

Union:

Union or Non union

Area of media:

Short Film

Network:

Paid?:

Yes

Rates:

ACTRA Low budget Tier 3 Principal: $212/day Actor: $182/day SOC/BG: $132/day

Deadline:

June 3, 2022

Shooting starts:

June 21, 2022

Shooting finishes:

June 22, 2022

Shooting locations:

Downtown Toronto

Cities for response:

Toronto

Comments

We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role, please submit qualified
performers, without regard to disability, race and ethnicity, age, colour, national origin, or any
other basis prohibited by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.

Storyline

Lifting as We Climb is a chapbooks project of digital books that include 2 short films “Unapologetically
Jackie” and “Wanda Justice Warrior” .
“Unapologetically Jackie”: Jackie is a Black trans girl who seeks to be accepted for who she is.
“Wanda Justice Warrior”: A Black woman named Wanda recounts the discrimination she faced
in school at the hands of her teacher.

Roles

Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Principal	Wanda	Female 65 - 75 Years old
Description Wanda, black woman, wears glasses A black woman of small size, medium build, gray hair, wears glasses. Wanda is a friendly woman that everyone likes and appreciates. A natural storyteller whose story captivates. She has a warm look and an infectious laugh. Video reference: https://vimeo.com/314096862
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Principal	Professor Graham	Male 50 - 55 Years old
Description Professor Graham, white, male, tall, wears glasses A passionate teacher who loves to immerse himself in research, Graham set out to teach the history of Canadian segregation at a time when there was little discussion of the subject. An ally of the cause, he urges Wanda to take steps to make her sister's story known. Video reference: https://vimeo.com/314096862
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Actor	Jesse	Female 30 - 40 Years old
Description Black woman with a tender and warm face, caring, motherly. She knows the sometimes difficult and cruel world in which she lives. She is very protective of young Jackie and wants to make sure she instills self-confidence in her from a very young age.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Actor	Praying man	45 - 55 Years old
Description Middle aged black man. Tall, imposing stature, skilled with words. His strong, caring, imposing voice brings those around him to listen and hear him. Could be someone like Forrest Whitaker.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Actor	Teen Jackie	All 14 - 16 Years old
Description Teen Jackie, black, trans teen girl, can sing and has musical rhythm Slim figure, delicate face, warm, elegant walk, comfortable with the idea of putting makeup on their face. Jackie is comfortable in her own skin and you can see it in the way she moves and expresses herself. She is not shy and goes for it. She is not yet in a music group but you can already feel her leadership attributes coming through. She is a proficient singer and can play the drums with her hands. *We will prefer trans submissions but will accept tapes from teen boys or non-binary teens comfortable putting on make up and small heeled shoes. reference link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Shane
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Actor	Louis	Male 14 - 16 Years old
Description Louis - Black, male, plays the piano Passionate blues player, Louis plays the piano with fire in a way that captivates. Anyone who passes by, can't help but watch him as he plays. Could be someone like Niles Fitch.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Actor	Teen girl choir singers	Female 14 - 25 Years old
Description Teen Girl Singers, Black, (2 roles, nonspeaking) - Sing Acapella Black girls with natural hairstyle, fun with lots of energy. Singing religious church song. Ideally they sign together in a church choir. Please submit demo/photo/resume.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Non Speaking	Young Jackie	All 4 - 8 Years old
Description Young Jackie, Trans girl, Black, non-speaking role. Young with a delicate face, warm, elegant walk, comfortable with the idea of putting makeup on their face and walking with small heeled shoes. This character is SOC in the film but we have written in some lines for auditioning purposes. Please see the attached scene. We will prefer trans submissions but will accept tapes from young boys or non-binary kids comfortable putting on make up and small heeled shoes. reference link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Shane
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Non Speaking	Prayer Group, Black singers	All 30 - 55 Years old
Description Black characters with natural hairstyles wearing church clothing. See photo reference below. Please submit demo/photo/resume.

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