Indie Feature Film in San Francisco Seeks Actresses (and Background Actors) for Powerful Historical Drama
Based on real events, the film focuses on daring slave rescues, made by a remarkable woman who risked her life repeatedly to free hundreds of enslaved girls and women and empower them, battling both gangsters and her own city to do so.
The script was a finalist in a number of national contests and offers several very strong and frequently emotionally intense roles for women, both Caucasian and Asian. It’s written as a rousing crowd-pleaser in the vein of classic powerhouse film dramas from the 1950s and ’60s (exploring various social issues).
Working title: A Windmill in Chinatown
Please email headshot/resume and/or link to reel and online profile to mmthinman0077@yahoo.com. In the subject line, write your name along with the name of the character(s) you are interested in auditioning for. Auditions are slated for the weekend of Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
ROLES currently being cast are the following:
Ronalda Fleming – Caucasian, female, 30s; prim-and-proper school marm–type outside, w/ a firebrand’s idealism beneath; fights boisterously for her beliefs and will stop at nothing to protect the lives of those under her care. Occasionally afflicted by self-doubt; has grown weary under the strain. Fit; athletic when the need calls. Should be able to employ a soft Scottish brogue. (principal) (a very strong, very inspiring role)
Mrs. Mabry – Caucasian, female, 50s; naïve, misguided, but well-meaning socialite, loud (sometimes aggravating) but endearing and often comical; new to her wealth; a bit Margaret Dumont–like in her build, but quicker, more agile, more animated and fun (supporting)
Suey – Asian, female, slim (actress age range: late teens to mid 20s); character: 17-yr-old resourceful Girl Friday to Ronalda Fleming; wise beyond her years due to traumatic events in her life (supporting)
Ling – Asian, female, slim (actress age range: late teens to mid 20s); character: 19-yr-old enslaved prostitute; fearless, outspoken, desperate; has formidable temper (supporting)
Mei – Asian, female, slim; (actress age range: 10 or 11 [or 12 to 16 but able to play younger]); character: 10-yr-old clever slave girl; having faced great adversity, she’s lost faith in life and humanity (supporting) [acting will involve courtroom scenes, as well as dialogue exchanges with the lead; no more than 8 hrs on set]
Hong* – Asian, female; (actress age range: mid- to late teens); character: fearful 15-yr-old slave girl (supporting) [acting involves dialogue exchanges with other supporting characters; no more than 8 hrs on set]
Tam* – Asian, female; (actress age range: mid- to late teens); character: fearful 15-yr-old slave girl; sometimes escalates into hysteria (supporting) [acting involves dialogue exchanges with other supporting characters; no more than 8 hrs on set]
Chow Qui* – Asian, female, 50s; overseer of slaves; vicious, prone to violence (supporting)
Long-wei* – Asian, male; 20s to 30s; brutish hired hand (background; non-speaking, but prominent in scene)
Jaw-long* – Asian, male; 20s to 30s; rugged bodyguard (background)
SHOOTING SCHEDULE will include a few days in late November (exact days yet to be specified), and then from late February thru April, shooting only on weekends so as to accommodate people’s schedules
[characters marked with an asterisk (*) in listings only needed for late November shoot]
Paid roles (deferred payment); non-union and union (SAG/AFTRA ULB – pending); copy, credit, meals, festival exposure. Digital format.
Moneys to pay the cast will be raised through a Kickstarter campaign.