THE MENTAL STATE Feature Film
Location: Syracuse, NY
Type: Extras
Now Casting
SEEKING LOCAL TALENT for the Casting Call for THE MENTAL STATE, a feature film shooting in Syracuse, NY and the surrounding areas
SYNOPSIS: High school senior, Andy Cady, befriends a forest-dwelling hermit who informs him about a town conspiracy, meanwhile Andy’s mother, Angela, seeks care for her son’s newfound erratic behavior.
HOW TO SUBMIT: If you would like to be considered for a role in our film, please submit your headshot and resume, OR a recent photo and brief bio (including performance experience to:
thementalstatecasting@gmail.com
In the subject line of the email, please make sure to include which role you would like to be considered for. If there is further interest, the Casting Director will be in touch with details about auditions. A full breakdown of the characters will be listed below.
WHEN ARE AUDITIONS? Auditions will be held in the Syracuse, NY area on Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7.
WHAT ARE THE SHOOT DATES? THE MENTAL STATE will begin production at the end of October and will shoot through late November.
WILL THERE BE COMPENSATION? Yes! Speaking roles in THE MENTAL STATE is a SAG-AFTRA Low Budget Film. Depending on the size of the role, actors will be compensated at either the SAG-AFTRA daily rate of *$630/day or *$2,190/week.
*please note that this rate does not apply to any actors wanting to be considered as EXTRAS*
WHAT CHARACTER AM I RIGHT FOR? A full breakdown of character descriptions are below:
[KAILEY RYAN]: Female. 17 years old. IDEALLY HAS AN IDENTICAL TWIN. Kailey and her twin, Kiley, are nearly inseparable. They strive for popularity among their senior class and on social media. Their constantly changing wardrobe is tailor-made to fit the latest trends. They firmly believe that their experience is wild, unique and unlike anything anyone has ever experienced, but they’re a dime a dozen – or two dimes. They spend their free time either glued to their phones or hanging out with their best friend, Bethany, or both. They worry about material goods and fleeting social norms.
Kailey does have her differences from Kiley. Kailey tends to be harsh and mean, however, it’s a result of her own insecurities. Unfortunately for her, Kiley has about one hundred more Instagram followers, but Kailey has no idea why. At least Kailey has a boyfriend, Caleb Brickwater, and Kiley doesn’t. At the end of the day though, these girls will live and die for each other.
[KILEY RYAN]: Female. 17 years old. IDEALLY HAS AN IDENTICAL TWIN. Kiley and her twin, Kailey, are nearly inseparable. They strive for popularity among their senior class and on social media. Their constantly changing wardrobe is tailor-made to fit the latest trends. They firmly believe that their experience is wild, unique and unlike anything anyone has ever experienced, but they’re a dime a dozen – or two dimes. They spend their free time either glued to their phones or hanging out with their best friend, Bethany, or both. They worry about material goods and fleeting social norms.
Kiley does have her differences from Kailey. Kiley tends to be more open minded and sweeter. She cracks jokes, but without any intention other than trying to fit in. At this point in her high school career, Kiley is desperate for her first boyfriend.
[DR. WAGNER]: A middle-aged, well-mannered clinical psychologist. Clinical being the operating word. He has a steady tone and sensibility. At first glance, Dr. Wagner seems trustworthy, but the sterility in his actions are suspicious and dubious. Often, he seems engineered, like an animatronic character on a theme park ride. He likes cracking “dad” jokes no matter how poorly they’re timed. One never knows if they should buy into or be skeptical of every single word he says. However, at the end of the day, he does have impressive credentials.
[COUNSELOR MELANIE HANSEN]: Call her Melanie or Mel, never Counselor Hansen. She appreciates the professionalism, but she doesn’t want to feel old. She’s fresh out of grad school and ready to make a positive impact on her high schoolers’ lives. She tries hard… too hard. Melanie means well, but her try-hard attitude sometimes comes off as disingenuous or, at the very least, awkward. She’s constantly trying to stay up to date, in sync, and in touch with her students. Even with all her schooling and preparation for this job, one can’t help but think that this young woman is a disheveled mess. She claims her world is “streamlined” through an unnecessary amount of technology – her cellphone, her desktop, her iPad, and her smartwatch. Often, the mix of tech notifications sounds like a small orchestra.
[DR. CYNTHIA CHITERWERTZ]: Dr. Cynthia Chiterwertz is a professional therapist-mother. She’s found a delicate balance of having a close-knit family, a beautiful home, a professional career and a yapping pack of dogs. For her to do so, she works from home and stick to a tight schedule. However, her generosity and kindness often gives way to her schedule to cater to those in need. Her goal as a therapist is to help as many people as she can. She’s approachable and open to the world. Cynthia loves traveling and bringing trinkets from different cultures home because she feels it shows her guests that she’s inviting.
[CALEB BRICKWATER]: Male. 18+ to play 18 years old. Caleb Brickwater is a member of the JROTC. He has his sights set on joining the military after high school because, truthfully, he ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed. However, he’s loyal, protective and determined. If it weren’t for the military, Caleb would end up working some dead-end job in town. Caleb is often a follower, not a leader. Caleb spends his free time hunting, working out, or trying to “chill” with Kailey Ryan. Caleb’s most special skill is that he can shotgun a beer better than anyone in his high school.
[SHERIFF DELL]: Sheriff Bradley Dell has been on the Havenville police force for nearly forty years. He started as a dispatcher right after high school and has been the small town’s Sheriff for the past twenty years. He’s a true son of Havenville. He loves his little slice of America. In a way, he’s more of a mayor than Sheriff. He tries to be friendly and neighborly with everyone he can, so his town folk feel comfort around the police. To know the Sheriff, you gotta know Havenville. Havenville was once a bustling coal town, but after the coal mine shut down it has been stripped of its pride. It faces ongoing economic hardships and an opioid epidemic. The Sheriff knows he can’t bust every druggie in town, so the best he can do is help them when they’re in need. If he can avoid arresting a minor he does at all means. Most times they’re misguided and he knows that the criminal justice system sometimes does more harm than good. He’s usually kind and thoughtful, but he can be the toughest and most intimidating man on in town at the flip of a switch.
[PRINCIPAL JACK MULLINS]: Principal Jack Mullins is approaching his twilight years. He has been trying to retire for the past five years, but the pain-in-the-ass district can’t seem to line anyone up to take his job. At this stage, Jack is just going through the motions and can’t wait for each school year to end. He is an apathetic curmudgeon, which ironically makes him a perfect fit for a principal. He takes no bullshit, but only because he just simply doesn’t care.
[PAUL WINTERS]: Paul Winters is a mid-30s mechanic in the small town of Havenville, KY. Paul is a hillbilly and proud of it. He’s often loud and obnoxious, but he’s got the right to do so. He has a sense of entitlement, but it’s quickly knocked down by anyone not buying into his bullshit. Paul is known in town to always be scheming up some way to make some money. His 9-year-old daughter, Kimmy is his pride and joy. If someone harms one of his family members, you can bet he’s taking action right away. Paul loves his chewing tobacco.
Payment: Paid
City or Location of call: Syracuse, NY
Please submit to: thementalstatecasting@gmail.com by 2018-10-03
This casting notice was posted by: The Mental State Casting