NYC Casting Calls & Acting Auditions

Absalom Grail – Lead Role for Short Film

Job Description
An upcoming short film titled Incinerator is casting a Black male actor in his late teens to early 20s to portray Absalom Grail, the lead role in this powerful courtroom thriller. This character-driven story blends urban crime drama with philosophical depth, following a Harvard philosophy student navigating grief, justice, and revenge after a family tragedy. Filming will take place in New York, NY and Jersey City, NJ. All roles are paid, and talent must be New York local hires.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray Absalom Grail, a complex and intellectually driven lead character

• Deliver emotionally intense courtroom and dramatic scenes

• Perform dense philosophical monologues with clarity and conviction

• Collaborate closely with the director and cast

• Commit to scheduled rehearsal and filming dates

Requirements

• Black male, late teens to early 20s

• Strong dramatic acting skills

• Ability to handle heavy dialogue and layered emotional material

• Intelligent, grounded, and expressive on camera

• Must be a New York local hire

Compensation

• $249–$100+ per day (SAG-AFTRA Ultra Low Budget scale)

• Paid lead role in short film

• Professional film credit

Job Description

A major band is casting male soccer players for an upcoming music video filming in New York City. Production is seeking athletic, experienced players between the ages of 20 and 26 for a compensated shoot.

This is a short filming commitment taking place in Long Island City, Queens. Selected talent will participate in a 2-hour shoot window during the scheduled production time.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform as a soccer player in a music video production

• Participate in staged gameplay and soccer-related scenes

• Bring personal cleats and shin guards to set

• Follow on-set direction from the production team

Requirements

• Male soccer players

• Ages 20–26

• Must have cleats and shin guards

• Comfortable performing on camera

• Available on Tuesday, March 3

• Able to work in Long Island City, Queens, NYC

Compensation

• Compensated opportunity (rate disclosed upon selection)

Documentary Participants – Women Who Have Experienced Pregnancy Loss

Job Description
A powerful non-union documentary is now casting women ages 25–60 of all backgrounds to share their personal experiences with pregnancy loss. This paid documentary casting call seeks authentic voices to appear on camera as themselves in a deeply personal and socially impactful film exploring reproductive justice and miscarriage in post-Roe America.

Filming will take place in Brooklyn, NY, for a wide-release documentary project paired with a strategic outreach campaign. Selected participants may also be considered for short scripted segments within the film. This project blends intimate interviews, performance elements, and dark comedic tones to shed light on a serious yet underrepresented topic.

This is an opportunity to be part of a meaningful documentary production while contributing to an important cultural conversation.

Job Responsibilities

• Appear on camera as yourself in a documentary interview

• Speak openly about your personal experience with pregnancy loss

• Participate in filmed conversations centered on reproductive rights and healing

• Potentially perform in short scripted documentary scenes

• Collaborate with the creative team during one scheduled shoot day

Requirements

• Women ages 25–60

• All ethnicities encouraged to apply

• Must have personal experience with pregnancy loss

• Comfortable discussing your story on camera

• Available to film in Brooklyn, NY

• Singing or dancing experience is a plus

Compensation

• $150 per hour

• One-day shoot commitment

Extras Ages 10–100 – Nonprofit Art Video Project

Job Description
A nonprofit art project is now casting 200 extras for a unique video production in Medina, NY. This open casting call welcomes participants ages 10 to 100 of all ethnicities, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. No prior acting experience is required.

Participants will take part in a large-scale auditorium scene featuring social movement, breathing exercises, and creative collaboration with a composer. The final video will be showcased at a public event and may also appear in museum exhibitions and social media platforms.

This is a volunteer opportunity designed for community involvement, artistic expression, and film credit experience.

Job Responsibilities

• Participate in guided social movement and breathing exercises

• Collaborate in a large group auditorium setting

• Follow direction from the creative team and composer

• Be present for the full event schedule

Requirements

• Ages 10–100

• All ethnicities, genders, and abilities encouraged to participate

• Comfortable being filmed in a large group environment

• Available for the scheduled event in Medina, NY

• Open to volunteer participation in a nonprofit art project

Compensation

• Volunteer role

• Film credit

• Lunch provided

Job Description

An NYU thesis short film titled For Zion is seeking Black actors for lead and supporting roles in a powerful, character-driven sports drama. The story follows a young Jamaican track star chasing greatness in the 400m while struggling under the emotional weight of legacy, family pressure, and generational trauma.

This dramatic short explores themes of ambition, father-son dynamics, identity, and the burden of expectation within a family of elite runners. The project offers emotionally layered roles with strong character arcs and meaningful screen time.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a principal or supporting character in a dramatic thesis short film

• Perform emotionally nuanced scenes centered on family conflict and personal struggle

• For the lead role, convincingly perform running/sprinting sequences

• Collaborate closely with the director and student production team

• Attend scheduled rehearsals and filming days

Roles

Myles (Lead)
A 22-year-old Jamaican track star dedicated to becoming the fastest 400m runner. Driven and disciplined due to his father’s intense training, Myles struggles internally with feelings of inadequacy and the pressure of legacy.

• Black male, ages 22–30

• Must be able to run/sprint convincingly

Chilton (Lead)
Myles’ father and former athlete who never achieved his own dreams. He now lives vicariously through his son, creating tension as both a father and coach.

• Black male, ages 40–60 (50+ presenting)

Pops (Supporting)
A retired Olympic gold medalist and first-generation family track star. Once disciplined and focused, he now lives a relaxed retired life.

• Elderly Black male, 70+ presenting

Grandma (Supporting)
Former matriarch of the family who is gradually losing her sense of self due to age.

• Elderly Black female, 70+ presenting

Requirements

• Strong dramatic acting ability

• Availability for scheduled shoot days and rehearsals

• For Myles: athletic ability and sprinting skills required

• Professional headshot and resume

Compensation Details

Compensation details will be provided upon inquiry. This NYU thesis short offers substantial character roles and strong dramatic material for actor reels.

Job Description

A short film titled Nutcracker is casting male actors to portray tenacious fraternal twin brothers locked in a comedic rivalry over peanut brittle. This character-driven story centers on sibling dynamics, competitiveness, and absurd humor set against a nostalgic, adventurous tone.

The production is seeking performers who can bring strong comedic timing, physicality, and expressive personality to the screen. The film blends stylized visuals with heightened conflict between brothers, creating a bold and entertaining short-form project.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray one of two fraternal twin brothers in a lead role

• Perform comedic and physically expressive scenes

• Collaborate closely with the director and student production team

• Participate in rehearsals and scheduled shoot days

• Bring energy and strong character presence to a sibling rivalry storyline

Requirements

• Male actors able to portray twin brothers (open to fraternal twin look)

• Strong comedic acting skills

• Comfortable with physical performance and expressive storytelling

• Professional headshot and resume required

Compensation Details

Compensation details will be provided upon inquiry. This short film offers strong character roles and valuable on-screen material for actor reels.

Job Description

A student thesis film titled Devoured is seeking two female actors for lead roles in a psychological drama exploring themes of insecurity, identity, and mental illness. The film centers on Eve, a deeply insecure young woman struggling with anorexia, and Lilith, a confident and captivating bartender who represents the physical embodiment of Eve’s illness.

This emotionally driven project examines the internal battle between self-perception and identity through a dark, symbolic narrative. The selected actors will play complex, layered characters in a visually and psychologically intense story.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray one of the two lead characters in a character-focused thesis film

• Perform emotionally demanding scenes involving psychological tension

• Collaborate closely with the director and student production team

• Participate in scheduled rehearsals and filming days

• Bring depth, nuance, and authenticity to sensitive subject matter

Roles

Eve (23)
A deeply insecure young woman silently suffering from anorexia. She is anxious, has developed physical tics, and experiences memory loss due to her illness, weakening her grip on reality.

Lilith (23)
The confident and effortlessly beautiful foil to Eve. A bartender with siren-like qualities, she captivates Eve and ultimately reveals herself to be the physical embodiment of Eve’s illness.

Requirements

• Female actors, approximately age 23 (or able to portray early 20s)

• Strong dramatic acting ability

• Comfortable performing psychologically intense material

• Professional headshot and resume required

Compensation Details

Compensation details will be provided upon inquiry. This is a thesis film production offering lead roles and strong material for actor reels.

Job Description

An upcoming indie short film is casting a female lead for the role of Serena, a tightly wound and high-strung liberal arts college student. The story follows Serena as she encounters an eccentric man dressed in a potato sack during a stressful academic deadline. This unexpected meeting pulls her out of her comfort zone and into a “back-to-nature” experience that challenges everything she knows.

This character-driven project centers on emotional range, vulnerability, and transformation as Serena is swept into a completely unfamiliar world. Production is seeking a strong performer who can portray intensity, stress, and eventual emotional unraveling with authenticity.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray Serena, a stressed college student navigating a personal and emotional turning point

• Perform emotionally demanding scenes requiring expressive range

• Collaborate closely with the director and creative team

• Participate fully in rehearsals and scheduled shoot days

• Bring depth and nuance to a character experiencing psychological and environmental contrast

Requirements

• Female talent, ages 20–24

• Ability to convincingly portray a high-strung, tightly wound college student

• Strong emotional acting skills with comfort performing dramatic material

• Prior acting experience preferred

• Professional headshot and resume required for submission

Compensation Details

Compensation details will be provided upon inquiry. This is a lead role in an independent short film offering significant screen time and creative exposure.

Gay Male Couples for PrEP Pharmaceutical Photo Shoot

Job Description
A pharmaceutical brand is now casting gay men ages 20–50 for a paid PrEP awareness photo shoot in New York City. Casting directors are seeking confident, great-looking men of all body types to portray authentic, modern couples in natural, intimate lifestyle moments.

All selected talent will be paired as part of a couple for the campaign. Real couples are encouraged to submit together, though talent may be paired with another male model if booked. This commercial photo shoot will capture warm, genuine interactions that reflect connection and real relationships.

If you’re searching for LGBTQ+ modeling jobs in NYC, paid pharmaceutical photo shoots, or high-paying commercial print campaigns, this is a premium opportunity with guaranteed usage.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a couple in a PrEP pharmaceutical photo campaign

• Participate in natural lifestyle moments including hugging and light kissing

• Be comfortable working shirtless in select shots

• Attend scheduled wardrobe fitting

• Maintain professionalism during a full shoot day

Requirements

• Gay men, ages 20–50

• Open to all body types, including:

  • Jacked (very muscular)

  • Otter (hairy, slim/lean, toned)

  • Bear (bigger, solid build)

  • Dad Bod (average, attainable build)

• Comfortable with physical closeness on camera

• Comfortable working shirtless

• Must be able to work as a New York local (no travel provided)

• Real couples welcome to apply

Compensation

• $750 session fee + 20% agency (10-hour shoot day)

• $300 fitting fee + 20% agency

• $3,000 guaranteed usage fee + 20% agency

• High-profile pharmaceutical campaign exposure

Female Actor Casting Call for Public Service Video

Job Description
A public service video focused on human trafficking awareness is now casting a young female actor for a powerful, scripted scene filming in Tonawanda, New York. This non-union project is seeking an 18–21 year old female to portray a character in a dramatic scenario involving being grabbed in a parking lot and placed into a van. This role requires emotional realism and comfort performing serious subject matter. Talent must work as a local hire in Tonawanda, NY.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a young woman in a scripted public service video

• Perform a dramatic parking lot scene as directed

• Follow direction from the production team

• Deliver a believable and emotionally grounded performance

Requirements

• Female, ages 18–21

• Must be at least 18 years old

• Comfortable performing intense, awareness-driven content

• Must be able to work as a local hire in Tonawanda, NY

• Professional and reliable

Compensation

• Non-paid public service project

• On-camera experience in an awareness campaign

• Opportunity to contribute to a meaningful social issue production