HBO’s ‘THE SYMPATHIZER’ Speaking Roles Casting Call

SAG-AFTRA Guest Star Role for Episodic Web Series

Job Description
A comedic, character-driven episodic web series is casting a male actor to play a guest star role as a grounded, naturally funny father figure. Set inside a struggling improv theater, this short-form project is seeking talent with strong deadpan delivery and realistic comedic instincts. Selected actors will be asked to self-tape after receiving sides.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform a guest star role in a short episodic web series

• Deliver dry, deadpan comedy with natural realism

• Take direction and collaborate with the creative team for a character-driven tone

• Complete a self-tape audition if selected to audition

Requirements

• Male actor, late 50s to early 60s

• Ethnicity: open

• Strong comedic timing with subtle, deadpan delivery

• Able to portray a practical, observant father with warmth and quiet humor

• Improv experience is a plus (not required)

Compensation

• Unpaid under a SAG-AFTRA Ultra Low Budget Agreement

• SAG-AFTRA credit

• IMDb credit

Joseph – Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Student Role

Job Description
Seeking a Pacific Islander male actor to portray Joseph, an 18–early 20s student at a college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. This role involves scripted violence and requires a strong, authentic presence on camera.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a student in a true crime recreation scene

• Communicate on camera using ASL (as required by production)

• Follow direction for scripted dramatic action

• Maintain professionalism and continuity throughout filming

Requirements

• Pacific Islander male, 18+ (late teens to early 20s look)

• Tall, pep-pacific islander vibe; dark hair and dark eyes

• ASL experience encouraged (include experience in submission)

• Comfortable with scripted violence/sensitive content

Compensation

• $200/day

• Some travel included

Ben – ASL Experience Preferred

Job Description
Seeking a white male actor to portray Ben, an 18–early 20s student who attends a well-known college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. This role includes being found deceased in a dorm room scene and requires comfort with staged stillness on camera.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a true crime recreation role in dorm-room scenes

• Follow direction for staged stillness and positioning on set

• Communicate on camera using ASL (as required by production)

• Maintain a professional attitude during sensitive story content

Requirements

• White male, 18+ (late teens to early 20s look)

• Full build preferred

• Short, military-style haircut

• ASL experience preferred (include experience in submission)

• Must be comfortable lying on the ground under blankets for the scene

• Comfortable with scripted violence/sensitive content

Compensation

• $200/day

• Some travel included

Eric (Victim) – ASL Fluent Role

Job Description
Seeking a white male actor to portray Eric, an 18–early 20s college-aged student. Eric is a deaf gay man with cerebral palsy. This role requires fluency in ASL and includes scripted violence where the character is shoved.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a true crime recreation victim role on camera

• Communicate fully in ASL for all on-camera conversations

• Follow direction for scripted dramatic action, including physical staging

• Maintain professionalism in emotionally sensitive reenactment scenes

Requirements

• White male, late teens to early 20s (18+)

• Short build/short height preferred

• Fluent in ASL

• Comfortable portraying a deaf character with cerebral palsy

• Comfortable with scripted violence (shoving)

Compensation

• $200/day

• Some travel included

Black Male Stand-In for TV Series

Job Description
A television production is seeking a Black male stand-in to match an on-camera actor for lighting and camera setup. This role is ideal for talent who can stay focused during technical work, maintain consistency, and commit to a long set day. Production needs someone with a similar complexion and hair color to the referenced actor.

Job Responsibilities

• Stand in for principal talent during lighting, blocking, and camera rehearsals

• Follow direction from the assistant directors, camera, and lighting teams

• Maintain consistency with marks and positioning across takes

• Remain on set and available for a 12+ hour workday

Requirements

• Black male talent

• Height range: 5’11″–6’1″

• Must have similar complexion and hair color to the referenced actor

• Must be a Franklin, TN area local hire

• Must be able to commit to 12+ hours and be flexible with call time (released afternoon prior)

Compensation

• $189 for 12 hours (12-hour guarantee)

• Overtime after 12 hours (time-and-a-half)

Veteran Lead Role for Digital Campaign

Job Description
A digital video campaign is casting a confident male lead to portray a veteran or current active military service member. This role features direct-to-camera delivery and requires a grounded, authentic presence that feels natural and believable. Videos will be used for website and social media content.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a veteran or active service member in scripted digital video scenes

• Deliver lines directly to camera with a confident, natural tone

• Follow direction from the production team for performance and pacing

• Maintain professionalism and continuity throughout filming

Requirements

• Male talent, ages 20s–40s

• Must convincingly portray a veteran or current active military service member

• Caucasian per role specs

• Comfortable delivering lines directly to camera

• Confident, grounded, and approachable on screen

Compensation

• $1,000 per shoot day (speaking role, plus agency fee)

• Digital usage for client website and social media

Industrial Commercial Casting Call

Job Description
A non-union industrial commercial project is seeking Dallas, TX area local hires for OCP (on-camera principal), featured background, and background roles. This production needs a range of camera-ready talent to portray industrial drivers and freight partners in a professional work setting. Transportation and accommodations are not provided, so talent must be able to work locally and remain available for full shoot days.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray industrial workplace roles in commercial scenes (OCP, featured background, and background)
• Follow direction from the production team and maintain continuity across takes
• Arrive on time, prepared, and ready for full-day filming schedules
• Maintain a clean, conservative, camera-ready appearance on set

Requirements

• Must be a Dallas, TX area local hire (no travel provided)
• Must have full-day availability for multiple shoot dates (exact call/wrap times not provided)
• Non-union talent
• Clean cut, conservative look; friendly and professional demeanor
• For driver roles: Talent is not expected to drive or operate freight vehicles
• Role types needed include:
  • Industrial Driver #1 (OCP): Male, white, age 40s–50s, variety of types
  • Industrial Driver #2 (OCP): Male, black, age 40s–50s, variety of types
  • Industrial Driver #3 (OCP): Female, Asian or Hispanic/Latinx, age 20s–30s, variety of types
  • Industrial Driver #4 (OCP): Female, white or black, age 20s–30s, variety of types
  • Freight Partner #1 (OCP): Male, Hispanic/Latinx/Asian/Black, age 40s–50s, variety of types
  • Freight Partner #2 (OCP): Female, Hispanic/Latinx/Asian/Black, age 30s–40s, variety of types
  • Background #1: Male, Hispanic/Latinx, age 30s–40s, variety of types
  • Background #2: Male, black, age 20s–30s, variety of types
  • Background #3: Female, white, age 30s–40s, variety of types
  • Background #4: Female, Hispanic/Latinx, age 30s–40s, variety of types

Compensation

• OCP Roles:
  • $900/day session fee (plus 20% agency fee)
  • $75 fitting fee (flat rate, if needed)
  • $3,500 buyout (3 years)
• Background Roles (including featured background):
  • $275 for 10 hours (plus 20% agency fee)
  • Includes usage and buyout across placement, use, and run

Therapist Role for Comedic Influencer/Streamer Video

Job Description
A popular comedic influencer/streamer project is casting a female actor to portray a “Therapist” in a short-form video shoot. This is a paid, on-camera role for someone who can deliver a believable, professional therapist vibe with strong comedic timing and natural reactions. Wardrobe should reflect business attire to match the character and tone of the scene.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform as a therapist character in a comedic video scene
• Take direction from the creator and production team to match tone and pacing
• Deliver natural dialogue, facial reactions, and professional on-camera presence

Requirements

• Female talent needed
• Open to any ethnicity
• Age range: late 30s to 60s
• Must be available for an in-person shoot in Atlanta, Georgia
• Business attire required for wardrobe
• Comfortable performing in a comedic, creator-led production

Compensation

• $125 for approximately 2.5 hours

Amanda’s Daughter (True Crime Reenactment Role)

Job Description
A non-union true crime recreation series is casting a Hispanic teen female to portray Amanda’s Daughter in a scripted reenactment scene. This is a paid on-camera opportunity for a young performer who can deliver natural, believable reactions in a scene that does not involve violence or graphic content.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray Amanda’s Daughter in a scripted true crime reenactment scene

• Follow direction from the director and production team

• Maintain continuity and natural reactions across takes

• Arrive prepared and on time for the scheduled scene

Requirements

• Hispanic female

• Ages 13–15

• Scene does not involve violence or graphic content

• Must be able to work as a local hire in Knoxville, TN (no travel, hotel, or stipend provided)

Compensation

• $100 per day (flat)

Eddie P (True Crime Reenactment Role)

Job Description
A non-union true crime recreation series is casting an actor to portray Eddie P in a scripted reenactment scene. This is a paid on-camera opportunity for talent who can deliver natural, believable reactions and maintain a grounded presence in a dramatic storyline.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray Eddie P in a scripted true crime reenactment scene
• Follow direction from the director and production team
• Maintain continuity and realistic reactions across multiple takes
• Arrive prepared and camera-ready for the scheduled call time

Requirements

• White male
• Ages 20s–40s
• Brown hair and beard
• Must be able to work as a local hire in Knoxville, TN (no travel, hotel, or stipend provided)

Compensation

• $100 per day (flat)

Paramedic (True Crime Reenactment Role)

Job Description
A non-union true crime recreation series is casting an actor to portray a Paramedic in scripted reenactment scenes. This paid opportunity is seeking athletic talent who can deliver realistic first-responder presence on camera and is comfortable with sensitive content involving scripted violence and murder.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a paramedic in scripted true crime reenactment scenes

• Follow direction from the director and reenactment team

• Maintain continuity across multiple takes and setups

• Perform realistic first-responder actions as directed for scene authenticity

Requirements

• Male or female actor

• Open ethnicity

• Athletic build

• Must be comfortable with scripted violence and murder content

• Must be able to work as a local hire in Knoxville, TN (no travel, hotel, or stipend provided)

Compensation

• $100 per day (flat)

Officers (True Crime Reenactment Roles)

Job Description
A non-union true crime recreation series is casting officers for scripted reenactment scenes. This paid opportunity is for athletic talent who can portray law enforcement with realistic presence and professionalism on camera. The role includes scripted violence and murder content, and performers may be required to handle a prop gun as part of the scene.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a law enforcement officer in scripted true crime reenactment scenes

• Follow direction from the director and reenactment team

• Handle a prop gun safely and as directed for scene realism

• Maintain continuity across multiple takes and setups

Requirements

• Male or female actors

• Open ethnicity

• Athletic build

• Must be comfortable with scripted violence and murder content

• Comfortable handling a prop gun on camera

• Must be able to work as a local hire in Knoxville, TN (no travel, hotel, or stipend provided)

Compensation

• $125 per day (flat)