$100/Day Vertical Micro-Drama Casting Call

Runner II

Job Description

ESPN is looking for an experienced Runner II to support the broadcast production of Idaho @ Cal Poly. This behind-the-scenes production role helps keep live sports coverage organized by assisting crew members, handling time-sensitive errands, and supporting announcer logistics. Candidates should be comfortable adapting to changing priorities while working in a fast-moving live broadcast environment.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on support to operations and production teams during the remote broadcast

• Handle errands, deliveries, and other production-related assignments

• Distribute information and materials to broadcast crew members as needed

• Assist with coordinating announcer arrivals and departures

• Communicate regularly with the operations team throughout each workday

• Complete additional on-site tasks based on evolving production needs

• Help maintain an organized and efficient workflow during the event

Requirements

• Must live within 100 miles of the event site

• Must be at least 21 years old and legally authorized to work in the U.S.

• Must hold a valid driver’s license

• At least 8 shows of experience working as a regional-level runner on live remote productions

• Reliable access to communication through phone, text, and email

• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced and constantly changing production environment

• Proactive, dependable, and positive approach to assigned responsibilities

• Familiarity with the venue and surrounding area is preferred

• Ability to lead or assist other production runners is a plus

• Basic understanding of broadcast production operations

Compensation

• This is a paid broadcast production opportunity

• Compensation will be discussed with selected candidates

Runner II

Job Description

ESPN is seeking a reliable Runner II to provide on-site support for the AVCA Volleyball Tournament at Fiserv Forum. The production runner will work closely with operations and broadcast teams, helping manage essential behind-the-scenes tasks and ensuring the remote production runs smoothly. This position requires flexibility, strong communication skills, and previous experience supporting live broadcasts.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist operations and production crews throughout the live broadcast

• Complete production errands and deliver information to appropriate crew members

• Help coordinate announcer arrivals, departures, and other production logistics

• Respond quickly to assignments from the on-site production team

• Maintain communication with operations throughout each workday

• Support changing production needs in a fast-paced live event environment

Requirements

• Must live within 100 miles of the event venue

• Must be at least 21 years old and legally authorized to work in the U.S.

• Valid driver’s license required

• Must have completed at least 8 shows as a regional-level runner in live remote production

• Must have reliable communication access via phone, text, and email

• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

• Positive and proactive attitude with the flexibility to handle changing priorities

• Familiarity with the local area and venue is preferred

• Previous experience leading or coordinating other event runners is a plus

• Working knowledge of basic broadcast operations

Compensation

• This is a paid production opportunity

• Compensation details will be discussed with selected candidates

Job Description

Destination Casting is seeking male and female performers ages 18+ to portray high school students in a bullying PSA filming in Paulding County, Georgia. Selected performers will appear in school-based scenes helping bring the PSA’s bullying-focused storyline to the screen. Talent should be able to convincingly portray high school-age students and work naturally on camera while following direction from the production team.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a high school student in the PSA.
• Participate in school-based scenes as required.
• Follow production and casting direction.
• Work professionally with fellow performers and crew.

Requirements

• Male and female performers.
• Must be 18 or older.
• Must be able to convincingly portray a high school student.

Compensation

$150/day.

Job Description

Destination Casting is seeking female performers ages 18+ to portray high school cheerleaders in a bullying PSA filming in Paulding County, Georgia. Selected talent will appear in school-based scenes supporting the PSA’s storyline and message. Performers should be able to convincingly portray high school students, work comfortably in a production environment, and follow direction during filming.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a high school cheerleader in the PSA.
• Participate in school-based scenes as directed.
• Follow production and casting direction.
• Maintain professional conduct on set.

Requirements

• Female performers.
• Must be 18 or older.
• Must be able to portray a high school cheerleader.

Compensation

$150/day.

Job Description

Darkened Stage Productions is seeking Production Assistants for Peripheral, an independent psychological horror short film inspired by Ambrose Bierce’s The Damned Thing. The project follows a woman investigating a mysterious death and discovering evidence of an intelligent predator that cannot normally be perceived by humans. Production Assistants will provide general on-set support and help the crew maintain an organized production environment.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide general production and on-set assistance.
• Support crew departments as needed.
• Help maintain an organized and efficient set.
• Assist with day-to-day production needs.

Requirements

• Production experience is helpful but not specifically required in the casting notice.
• Reliable and comfortable working collaboratively on set.
• Interest in independent film and psychological horror.
• Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley filmmakers are particularly encouraged.

Compensation

Compensation and arrangements will be discussed individually based on position, experience, and production budget.

Job Description

Darkened Stage Productions is seeking a Key Grip / Grip to join the crew of Peripheral, an independent psychological horror short film. The project uses practical filmmaking techniques and a carefully controlled visual approach to create suspense around a creature that exists beyond normal human perception. The grip department will support the production’s visual execution and work alongside the camera and lighting teams as needed.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide grip support throughout production.
• Assist camera and lighting departments with required setups.
• Help safely execute equipment and production setups.
• Collaborate with the wider crew to support the film’s visual approach.

Requirements

• Grip or Key Grip experience preferred.
• Familiarity with film-set workflows and equipment.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Interest in independent horror filmmaking.
• Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley filmmakers are particularly encouraged.

Compensation

Compensation and arrangements will be discussed individually based on position, experience, and production budget.

Job Description

Darkened Stage Productions is seeking Practical Effects / Puppet Assistants for Peripheral, an independent psychological horror short film using a practical-effects approach to its creature work. The production already has VFX and makeup personnel attached and is looking for additional crew to support the physical creature effects. Assistants will help with practical puppet operation, puppetry, creature manipulation, and other on-set effects. Candidates with backgrounds in puppetry, creature work, animatronics, stage effects, practical horror effects, or theater puppetry are especially encouraged to apply.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist with practical puppet operation.
• Support creature manipulation and puppetry.
• Help execute practical effects on set.
• Collaborate with the existing effects and makeup teams.

Requirements

• Experience with puppetry, creature work, animatronics, stage effects, or practical effects is preferred.
• Comfortable working with physical creature effects.
• Theater artists and puppeteers are encouraged to apply.
• Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley applicants are particularly encouraged.

Compensation

Compensation and arrangements will be discussed individually based on position, experience, and production budget.

Job Description

Darkened Stage Productions is seeking a detail-oriented Script Supervisor for Peripheral. The psychological horror short features a nonlinear narrative incorporating flashbacks, recurring footage, Polaroids, props, and continuity-heavy sequences. Because continuity is particularly important to the film’s storytelling, the Script Supervisor will help track visual and narrative details across scenes and takes. Candidates should be highly observant, organized, and comfortable working on a project where small continuity details can directly affect the story.

Job Responsibilities

• Track continuity across scenes and takes.
• Monitor props and other continuity-sensitive elements.
• Support continuity involving flashbacks and recurring footage.
• Maintain clear production notes for the filmmaking team.

Requirements

• Script supervision or relevant continuity experience preferred.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to track complex narrative and visual elements.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley filmmakers are encouraged.

Compensation

Compensation and arrangements will be discussed individually based on position, experience, and production budget.

Job Description

Darkened Stage Productions is seeking a Production Sound Mixer for Peripheral, an independent psychological horror short film. The production is creating an atmospheric horror experience centered on an unseen intelligent predator and the unsettling discoveries made by the story’s protagonist. The Production Sound Mixer will be responsible for capturing clean, reliable production dialogue while contributing to the sonic foundation of the film.

Job Responsibilities

• Capture clean production dialogue and location audio.
• Monitor sound quality throughout filming.
• Coordinate sound requirements with the production team.
• Help establish the film’s unsettling sound environment.

Requirements

• Production sound experience preferred.
• Ability to capture clear dialogue on set.
• Familiarity with location sound workflows.
• Interest in independent and horror filmmaking.
• Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley filmmakers are encouraged.

Compensation

Compensation and arrangements will be discussed individually based on position, experience, and production budget.

Job Description

Darkened Stage Productions is seeking a Gaffer / G&E crew member for Peripheral, an independent psychological horror short film. The project is being designed around practical filmmaking techniques rather than CGI or AI, with lighting and atmosphere playing a major role in creating its unsettling visual style. The selected crew member will work closely with the Director of Photography to develop and execute the film’s distinctive lighting language.

Job Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the Director of Photography.
• Assist with lighting setups and execution.
• Support practical and atmospheric lighting.
• Contribute to night-work lighting requirements.

Requirements

• Gaffer, G&E, or relevant lighting experience preferred.
• Understanding of practical film lighting.
• Comfortable collaborating closely with the camera department.
• Interest in atmospheric and horror filmmaking.
• Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley filmmakers are encouraged.

Compensation

Compensation and arrangements will be discussed individually based on position, experience, and production budget.

Job Description

Darkened Stage Productions is seeking an organized and confident 1st Assistant Director for Peripheral, an independent psychological horror short film. The production takes a practical-effects approach to horror, emphasizing atmosphere, shallow depth of field, focus pulls, and suspense created through what audiences cannot see. The 1st AD will play an important role in keeping the production organized and moving efficiently on set. Candidates should be comfortable managing schedules, coordinating with different departments, and helping maintain an effective workflow throughout production.

Job Responsibilities

• Help run and organize the set.
• Manage the production schedule.
• Coordinate with cast, crew, and department teams.
• Keep filming organized and moving efficiently.

Requirements

• Previous AD or relevant set experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication abilities.
• Confidence managing an active film set.
• Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley filmmakers are particularly encouraged.

Compensation

Compensation and arrangements will be discussed individually based on position, experience, and production budget.

Job Description

Darkened Stage Productions is seeking a Producer for Peripheral, an independent psychological horror short film inspired by Ambrose Bierce’s The Damned Thing. The story follows a woman investigating the mysterious death of her former college roommate and uncovering evidence of an intelligent predator that exists beyond ordinary human perception. The Producer will help guide the project through fundraising, pre-production, production, and post-production.

Job Responsibilities

• Support fundraising and pre-production planning.
• Help coordinate production through principal photography and post-production.
• Collaborate with the director and production team.
• Support the overall organization and completion of the film.

Requirements

• Producing or relevant independent film experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Interest in independent filmmaking and psychological horror.
• Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley filmmakers are particularly encouraged.

Compensation

Compensation and arrangements will be discussed individually based on position, experience, and production budget.