“Pacific Waves” Casting Call for Sandra

Actors and Background Talent for “The Vanguard” Psychological Thriller Short Film

Job Description

“The Vanguard” is casting lead, supporting, day player, and background roles for a psychological thriller short film shooting in Oakland, California. The story follows an outspoken podcaster whose celebration after receiving a prestigious honor from an elite organization takes a disturbing turn following an unexpected confrontation. The production is seeking performers for a diverse ensemble of ambitious professionals, influential organization members, event staff, security personnel, and gala guests.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform in an assigned lead, supporting, day player, or background role.
• Bring authenticity and emotional depth appropriate to a psychological thriller.
• Deliver scripted dialogue naturally for speaking roles.
• Follow direction, blocking, and performance notes from the filmmaking team.
• Maintain character and continuity throughout production.
• Work professionally and collaboratively with cast and crew.
• Perform moderate physical action when required for security guard roles.

Requirements

• Simone: Black actor, 30s, lead role; poised, intelligent, ambitious, and accustomed to questioning the world around her.
• Adrian: Open ethnicity, late 30s, lead role; charming, affectionate, attentive, and able to portray Simone’s fiancé and longtime Vanguard member.
• Julian: Black actor, 30s, lead role; able to portray a brilliant, passionate, fiercely defiant scientist with a strong sense of conviction.
• The Founder: Open ethnicity, 60s, supporting role; elegant, magnetic, emotionally precise, and commanding.
• Marcus: Black actor, late 50s, supporting role; suave, composed, socially effortless, and able to portray The Founder’s trusted right-hand man.
• Nia: Black actor, mid-30s, supporting role; intelligent, observant, publicly fearless, and confident.
• Vanguard Staffer: Open ethnicity, 40s–60s; calm, professional, procedural, and comfortable within an elite organizational environment.
• Handler: Open ethnicity, 40s–60s; efficient, courteous, and quietly authoritative.
• Security Guards: Two performers, open ethnicity, 30s–50s; commanding presence and natural authority with moderate physical action required.
• Photographer: Open ethnicity, ages 20s and older; polished and professional Vanguard event staff member with one line.
• Aide: Open ethnicity, ages 20s and older; polished and professional Vanguard event staff member; non-speaking role.
• The Four Fellows: Open ethnicity, ages 20s–40s; accomplished, polished, and aspirational.
• Donors/Gala Guests: Open ethnicity, ages 30s and older; affluent, elegant, and comfortable portraying guests within The Vanguard’s polished world.
• Must be able to work in Oakland, California.
• Self-tapes are not required for the Photographer and Aide roles.

Compensation

• SAG-AFTRA SPA pending.
• Additional compensation details will be provided to selected performers.

Job Description

A short film titled “Holy Water” is seeking background actors to portray attendees at a wake in Los Angeles. Selected extras will appear in funeral home scenes and help create an authentic, respectful atmosphere for the production. Talent should be comfortable portraying funeral guests and wearing appropriate formal or funeral attire.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray an attendee at a wake in a short film.
• Perform natural background actions and reactions during funeral home scenes.
• Follow direction from the production and assistant directing teams.
• Maintain a respectful and appropriate demeanor throughout filming.
• Work professionally alongside cast, crew, and other background performers.

Requirements

• Must be available to work in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles.
• Must be comfortable portraying a guest attending a wake.
• Must have appropriate funeral or formal attire.
• Able to follow on-set direction and perform naturally on camera.
• Professional and reliable throughout production.

Compensation

• Unpaid.
• Meals and craft services will be provided throughout the production day

Job Description

A short film is casting a Black female actor to portray Michelle, an accomplished defense attorney in her 40s–50s who is intelligent, resilient, and accustomed to maintaining high expectations. Described as a power player, Michelle is confident and reserved but faces a more vulnerable challenge in her personal life as she learns to open herself to love. The role calls for a commanding performer who can balance professional authority with subtle emotional vulnerability.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray Michelle as a confident and accomplished defense attorney.
• Perform dramatic and relationship-focused scenes with emotional nuance.
• Balance the character’s strength, intelligence, and reserved nature.
• Follow direction and collaborate professionally with cast and crew.

Requirements

• Black female actor.
• Playing age: 40s–50s.
• Strong dramatic acting and on-camera presence.
• Able to portray authority alongside emotional vulnerability.

Compensation

• Compensation details not specified.

Job Description

A short film is seeking a Black female actor to portray Alesha, a holistic healer and loctician in her 40s who embodies wisdom, intuition, and empathy. Alesha is emotionally deep and accustomed to carrying the pain of others, but she remains guarded when it comes to her own relationships. Her character journey involves learning to receive the same love and emotional support she regularly gives to others.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray Alesha with warmth, intuition, and emotional depth.
• Perform character-driven dramatic and relationship scenes.
• Communicate the character’s wisdom while revealing her guarded vulnerability.
• Work closely with the director and fellow cast members.

Requirements

• Black female actor.
• Playing age: 40s.
• Strong ability to portray emotionally nuanced material.
• Comfortable performing a mature, intuitive, and empathetic character.

Compensation

• Compensation details not specified.

Job Description

A short film is casting a Black female actor to portray Dashia, a successful marketing executive in her 30s navigating ambition, independence, and romance. Dashia is characterized as a successful romantic who is ambitious and loyal but also guarded and insecure, with a tendency toward control. Her story centers on learning how to love while maintaining her own identity, requiring a performer who can balance confidence with emotional vulnerability.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray Dashia in dramatic and relationship-focused scenes.
• Bring authenticity to the character’s ambition, loyalty, and emotional vulnerability.
• Develop believable chemistry with other principal performers.
• Take direction and collaborate with the production team.

Requirements

• Black female actor.
• Playing age: 30s.
• Able to portray a confident yet emotionally layered professional.
• Strong dramatic and interpersonal performance skills.

Compensation

• Compensation details not specified.

Job Description

A short film is casting a Black male actor to portray Marcus, a celebrated filmmaker in his 40s–50s whose career has been built around telling emotionally honest stories. Following a devastating personal loss, Marcus earns critical acclaim for his most personal film and begins navigating a new chapter in both his career and personal life. Marcus is an introspective artist who is empathetic and visionary but emotionally unavailable, conflict-avoidant, and still grieving.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray Marcus with emotional depth and authenticity.
• Perform dramatic scenes centered on grief, relationships, and personal growth.
• Capture the character’s introspective and emotionally guarded personality.
• Collaborate with the director and follow creative direction throughout production.

Requirements

• Black male actor.
• Playing age: 40s–50s.
• Strong dramatic and character-driven acting ability.
• Comfortable portraying emotionally complex relationship material.

Compensation

• Compensation details not specified.

Job Description

An upcoming short film titled Ravish is casting actors for lead and supporting roles in New York City. The story follows a man who unexpectedly comes face-to-face with his ex-lover, forcing a violent reckoning with their shared history. The production is currently casting Birdie, a deeply vulnerable young woman with an unpredictable edge, and Chris, a confident romantic who believes he has found something genuine in his relationship with Marty.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray one of the featured characters in the short film.
• Deliver natural and emotionally grounded performances.
• Perform scripted scenes while following creative direction.
• Work collaboratively with the director, cast, and production team.
• Maintain professionalism throughout production.

Requirements

• Birdie: Female, early 20s. Impulsive and introspective with a vulnerable side beneath a hard exterior. Must have strong comedic timing and be equally capable of explosive dramatic performance.
• Chris: Male, 20s–30s. Confident, romantic, grounded, and comfortable portraying a gay character who embraces a dominant role within his relationship.

Compensation

• Copy and credit provided.
• Meals provided.
• Transportation covered or provided.

Job Description

An independent Palestinian short film titled MILK is casting two Arab, Arabic-speaking actresses for the roles of May and Fatimah. The production is seeking performers who can bring a natural, grounded, and authentic presence to the screen. May is a woman in her late 20s to early 30s, while Fatimah is in her 30s. Professional acting experience is not required for Fatimah, with the filmmakers prioritizing authenticity over a highly polished performance style.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray either May or Fatimah in the independent short film.
• Deliver a natural and grounded on-camera performance.
• Attend an in-person audition in Chicago.
• Follow creative direction and collaborate with the production team.

Requirements

• May: Female, late 20s to early 30s.
• Fatimah: Female, approximately early to late 30s; no previous acting experience required.
• Must be Arab and Arabic-speaking.

Compensation

• Paid acting opportunity.
• Non-union production.

Job Description

A short film titled As You Wish is casting three actors for a paid one-day production in Indianapolis. The story follows a grieving woman on vacation who unexpectedly encounters a mysterious artifact that proves more expensive than she anticipated. The production is seeking actors for the roles of Gina, John, and a shop owner to bring this mysterious, character-driven story to life.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray one of the three featured characters in the short film.
• Perform scripted scenes with a natural and believable screen presence.
• Take direction from the filmmaker during production.
• Collaborate professionally with fellow cast members and the production team.

Requirements

• Shop Owner: Male actor, age 60+.
• Gina: Female actor, 30s–40s.
• John: Male actor, 30s–40s.
• Additional audition materials may be requested by the production.

Compensation

• Paid acting opportunity.

Job Description

A short film shooting in San Francisco is casting background actors to portray bar patrons in an upcoming scene. The production is seeking a diverse mix of adults to create a natural and believable bar atmosphere, with talent in their late 30s through 50s especially encouraged to apply. This is a background extra opportunity for San Francisco-area talent comfortable appearing naturally on camera and following on-set direction.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a bar patron in background scenes.
• Perform natural background actions and interactions as directed.
• Follow blocking and instructions from the production team.
• Maintain continuity and professionalism throughout filming.

Requirements

• Ages 21 and older.
• Open to all ethnicities.
• Talent in their late 30s–50s especially encouraged to apply.
• Confirm availability when applying.

Compensation

• Unpaid background role.

Job Description

An animated short film titled Heartbreak: A Tale of a Haunting Breakup is casting a female voice actress to perform the narrator. The story follows an undead character known as “Blue Girl” as she recalls stories of lost love and seeks revenge on the person who broke her heart. The production is looking for a performer who can deliver a deep, weathered, mysterious voice with a calm yet haunting quality.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide the narrator voice for an animated short film.
• Record approximately one minute of voice-over material.
• Deliver a calm, mysterious, and haunting vocal performance.
• Follow creative direction regarding tone and delivery.
• Provide broadcast-quality voice recordings remotely if selected.

Requirements

• Female voice actress.
• Playing age: 50–70.
• Deep, weathered, and mysterious vocal quality.
• Ability to deliver a calm yet haunting performance.

Compensation

• Paid opportunity.

Job Description

An independent horror film titled Numbers is casting lead, supporting lead, supporting, and character roles for a supernatural thriller centered on a kidnapping that takes a terrifying turn. After abducting a wealthy businessman’s estranged daughter, a seasoned criminal and his crew hide inside a secluded mini-mansion with a notorious past. Their plan begins to unravel when their captive exposes dangerous secrets and supernatural forces emerge. The production is seeking actors with strong dramatic range who can handle intense, emotional, horror-driven material and bring grounded performances to characters facing fear, trauma, greed, and survival.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform a scripted role in a supernatural horror film.
• Deliver emotionally grounded performances in dramatic and suspenseful scenes.
• Collaborate with the director and production team on character development.
• Portray the assigned character according to the film’s creative direction.

Requirements

• Open roles include lead, supporting lead, supporting, and character roles.
• Roles shown include African American male and female characters across approximately ages 20s–50s.
• Strong dramatic range and comfort with intense emotional and horror-driven material.

Compensation

• Compensation details not specified.