Details
Union:
Union or Non union
Area of media:
Short Film
Network:
Paid?:
No
Rates:
Unpaid as per CFC/ACTRA agreement
Deadline:
Oct 18, 2023
Shooting starts:
Nov 11, 2023 1 shoot day + up to 4hrs of unpaid rehearsal time
Shooting finishes:
Nov 19, 2023 1 shoot day + up to 4hrs of unpaid rehearsal time
Shooting locations:
Toronto, ON
Cities for response:
Toronto
Comments
These one day shoots are called “In Development” and are professionally produced 3-5 minute productions designed to showcase the writer’s voice and potential of their feature script. These are a carefully crafted moment or scene that connects an audience to what’s at the heart of the writer’s feature. These pieces will be screened at an Industry Showcase event for The Norman Jewison Film Program and will eventually be available online through the CFC’s YouTube channel for further viewing.
Margarita Valderrama is a Colombian-Canadian, Dora Award-nominated actor; writer and filmmaker based in Toronto. She is also a Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize protégé and currently part of the Reelworld Emerging 20 Film Writers Program and the Canadian Film Centre’s Norman Jewison Writers Lab developing her first feature "Eyes Open| Ojos abiertos". She completed Factory Theatre's Playwriting Unit (The Foundry), two Playwriting Residencies through Aluna Theatre, and was part of the Stratford Festival's Playwrights Retreat. Her first play “One Perfect Day | Un día perfecto” is nominated for the RBC Emerging Playwright Award through the Playwrights Guild of Canada. But more importantly, Margarita is on a mission to prove that “chisme” is so much more than gossip.
Margarita Valderrama is a Colombian-Canadian, Dora Award-nominated actor; writer and filmmaker based in Toronto. She is also a Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize protégé and currently part of the Reelworld Emerging 20 Film Writers Program and the Canadian Film Centre’s Norman Jewison Writers Lab developing her first feature "Eyes Open| Ojos abiertos". She completed Factory Theatre's Playwriting Unit (The Foundry), two Playwriting Residencies through Aluna Theatre, and was part of the Stratford Festival's Playwrights Retreat. Her first play “One Perfect Day | Un día perfecto” is nominated for the RBC Emerging Playwright Award through the Playwrights Guild of Canada. But more importantly, Margarita is on a mission to prove that “chisme” is so much more than gossip.
Storyline
Alba tries to keep her advanced illness a secret as she hems her daughters’ bridesmaid dresses - when a fight over an old T-Shirt breaks out between them.
Roles
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | ALBA | Female 65 - 75 Years old |
Description Female, 65-75, Latinx. Must be fluent in Spanish. Alba is the matriarch of the family, a widow and a single mom. She’s stubborn, reactive and strong willed. Alba was forced to rebuild her life when her husband, Rafael, passed away after a long, painful battle with cancer when the girls were 16 and 9. Alba went through a horrible depression as she grieved, but with the help of Carmen (her eldest), found her way out and became a cleaning woman to provide for her daughters. She’s recently been diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer and is refusing treatment. Afraid of what her family’s reaction will be, she chooses to keep it a secret but has booked a last-minute trip back to Colombia for her niece’s wedding. Speaks with a Colombian accent. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | CARMEN | Female 30 - 35 Years old |
Description Female, 30-35, Latinx. Fluency in Spanish is an asset but not required. Carmen is the oldest daughter and a complete type A. Her drive, solutions oriented mind-set and meticulous organization skills led her into a career in the corporate world. Since her father’s illness and death, Carmen took on a caregiver role for her sister Penelope. Carmen is the only one who knows about Alba’s illness. She understands and respects her mother’s decision to refuse treatment, but disapproves of not telling the rest of the family. Alba has made her promise to not tell Penelope. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | PENELOPE | Female 23 - 27 Years old |
Description Female, 23-27, Latinx. Fluency in Spanish is an asset but not required. Penelope is the youngest daughter, and as such she has had more freedom and less responsibility. This is reflected in how she handles money, commitments, and organization. Much to Alba’s disapproval, Penelope pursued a career in the arts and is struggling to complete her degree. Penelope is completely unaware anything is wrong with Alba. | ||