Details
Union:
Non union
Area of media:
Film School
Network:
Paid?:
No
Deadline:
Mar 6, 2026
Callbacks:
Mar 9, 2026
Shooting starts:
Apr 8, 2026
Shooting finishes:
Apr 10, 2026
Shooting locations:
Greater Vancouver Area/TBD
Cities for response:
Vancouver
Storyline
In this dark comedy workplace satire, meek employee Dennis is invited to his boss Leonard’s home to celebrate a promotion, but what was meant to be a friendly gathering spirals out of control when he unknowingly eats corn the “incorrect way”, triggering Leonard. What begins as a simple act of nonconformity starts a ripple effect that contains termination, public humiliation, and psychological torment. Haunted by the experience, Dennis returns for a final confrontation and reclaims his power by deliberately eating corn the “correct” way, dismantling Leonard’s control over him once and for all.
Roles
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | Dennis | Male 25 - 35 Years old |
Description Dennis is a conscientious people-pleaser who finds safety in rules, routines, and earning approval from authority figures. He prides himself on being dependable, polite, and quietly competent, believing that if he does everything correctly, conflict can always be avoided. Validation from others deeply shapes his sense of self, making him uncomfortable with confrontation and quick to internalize blame. Recently promoted, Dennis sees this as proof that he is being rewarded for his fairness and competence. That belief fractures after a seemingly insignificant mistake by eating corn the “wrong way” at his boss’s dinner. Rather than reacting with anger, Dennis becomes anxious, hyper-aware, and fearful of making another unspoken mistake. He begins to view every interaction as a test, convinced that he alone is at fault for crossing an invisible line. Even after being fired, assaulted again, and psychologically haunted by the event, Dennis does not seek justice or revenge. Instead, he adapts. His response is quiet and unsettling: mastering the same thing that broke him and proves that one small error will not define him. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | Leonard | Male 35 - 55 Years old |
Description Leonard is a control-oriented perfectionist whose fragile self-worth is propped up by authority and obedience from others. Beneath his outward charm lies deep insecurity, making him highly sensitive to anything that threatens his sense of superiority or order. He craves validation through dominance, interpreting minor deviations from his expectations as personal disrespect. He inherited the company from his father, which boosted his ego even higher. When he promotes Dennis to head of the legal division and invites him to dinner, he presents himself as a charming, generous, “cool” boss. However, this civility is conditional. When someone behaves in a way Leonard deems “incorrect,” his composure collapses into obsessive, violent rage. These episodes feel dissociative. Leonard returns to normal immediately afterward, genuinely unaware or unconcerned with the harm he’s caused, convinced that his behavior was justified. When he sees Dennis the next day, he acts as if everything is okay between them, however, this doesn’t last long because he makes Dennis eat the corn again to prove that he can conform to Leonard's idea of “doing things the proper way.” | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Supporting | Carol | Female 25 - 35 Years old |
Description Carol is Dennis’s former therapist and now wife. She is calm, observant, and emotionally intelligent. Unlike the others, Carol is not blinded by politeness or hierarchy. She attempts to help Dennis recognize the absurdity and seriousness of his situation but ultimately understands that she cannot undo the psychological damage. Carol really is the only completely normal character in the world of the film. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Supporting | Maggie | Female 35 - 55 Years old |
Description Maggie is Leonard’s wife. She is socially competent and grounded. Though Leonard’s behavior is alarming, Maggie has learned to navigate it through politeness and de-escalation rather than resistance. At the dinner party, Maggie calmly attempts to keep Leonard. While more emotionally grounded than her husband, she doesn’t challenge him directly, enabling the cycle she quietly fears. | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Burt | Male 25 - 35 Years old |
Description Burt is a friendly, talkative man who is rarely taken seriously by the people around him. He is unaware that nobody ever truly listens or cares about him. Burt believes he’s well-liked, or at least “in on the joke.” He proudly considers Dennis his best friend, though Dennis doesn’t reciprocate that title. Oblivious to the power dynamics and cruelty within the office, Burt is content simply to belong even if it is being the workplace punching bag. | ||