CASTING CALL FOR CANNABIS EDUCATION SHORT FILM


Casting West Kootenay based actors for Film Shoot July 19 + 20

 

PROJECT SUMMARY
Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP) is expanding its Get Sensible program into Ontario by creating a series of unique PSAs. These PSAs will use Gen Z humor to effectively share harm reduction information from the Sensible Cannabis Education booklets. The aim is to promote responsible cannabis use by creatively subverting traditional PSA formats and providing diverse representation of youth experiences. The approach to executing these PSAs will be informed by a series of youth-led focus groups to hear directly from young people what types of messaging best resonates with them, and what mediums they are most likely to engage with (ie. long or short form videos, posters, comics, zines, etc.).


SUMMARY OF ROLE
We are looking for young actors (19-30) to participate in a short film that follows a group of old highschool friends as they reconnect over summer holiday. During the evening they explore their relationships with themselves, each other and cannabis. The short film is expected to be 10-20 minutes in length.

This position is a one time engagement, taking place from Friday, July 19th- Saturday, July 20th. Compensation for acting is 300$ per day, for up to 2 full days of shooting (depending if reshoots are needed.) Shooting will take place in Winlaw, BC (Sinixt Land)

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Young people with lived or living experience of cannabis use based in the West Kootenays (Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Slocan Valley etc.) 

Strong verbal and team communication skill

Some knowledge of or interest in cannabis harm reduction education

Access to transportation getting to and from Winlaw, BC
(transportation options can be discussed if necessary)

Demonstrated interest in drug policy reform, grassroots social change movements, peer-to-peer education or youth organizing considered an asset

Previous experience acting either on stage or on film is an asset but prior acting experience is not necessary!

 

HOW TO AUDITION

Please send your self tape (5 minutes max) as well as any supporting documents if available (ie. headshot, resume, demo reel) to Heath at getsensible@cssdp.org. Applications due Monday July 15th, 11:59PM EST.

In your self tape, please tell us your name, location, why you’re interested in acting in the film as well as which character you are interested in playing and why you’d be a good fit, based on the character descriptions below.

You will hear back to us by July 17th 2024. 

 

OVERVIEW OF CHARACTERS

 

Multi-level Marketing Baddy [Mary Jane (MJ) she/they]
Mary Jane is an outgoing, bubbly girly pop who is hosting a get together with some of their old highschool friends. She is eager to share her experience around her MLM with folks while ensuring everyone is having a great evening. She is also roommates with the philosophy bro.  Appearance: High-femme, clean girl aesthetic, curated IG feed.

 

Philosopher Bro [Sage he/they]
Resident philosophy bro, a stereotypical stoner. Great podcast recommendations and can rip more bong than any human you’ve ever met. Probably growing mushrooms under his bed. Appearance: Masculine. Hippie aesthetic, long hair and/or facial hair. Often seen wearing festival merch (fractal hat…)

 

Jock Queer – [Riley/Ro (short for Roach) they/she]
Queer jock with lowkey narc vibes. Competitive, quick tempered, and prefers edibles over smoking. As passionate about social issues as she is about softball, they bicker with philosophy bro quite a lot and might be flirting with everyone (or assumes everyone is flirting with them.) Appearance: Probably wearing a sports jersey or varsity jacket and has a fitness TikTok.

 

Bad Boy Rebel [Diesel/Blaze they/he]
The bad boy of the group! They were always getting into trouble in high school, but seem to have mellowed out quite a bit since then. They’ve quickly become the quiet one of the group; possibly brooding, generally kinda depressed but also funny and charming. Appearance: Dyed hair and tattoos, chains, cut off sleeveless shirt and wears mostly black.

 

Outspoken Nerd  [Indigo/Ash they/them]
Confident but cautious, a curious nerdy type. Enthusiastic, positive demeanor, well-informed and caring- they have a special interest in drugs and harm reduction so don’t get them started about it or they WILL infodump! Ex-theatre kid, neurodivergent, they might even be smoking weed for the first time at the party tonight. Appearance: Probably glasses, kind of goofy and quick witted.

 

Our Approach to Casting…

  • Non-traditional, Integrated Casting
    Characters are written without specific body size/shape, ability, skin colour, or gender. Roles are flexible and can be adapted to the actor and priority is given to actors with underrepresented identities.
  • Lived Experience Driven
    The goal of this film is to mobilize harm reduction information about substance use (cannabis) and mental health. Lived experience of substance use, mental illness or neurodivergence is an asset.
  • Improvised/Loosely Scripted
    The screenplay for this film is a series of scenes with some loose scripting. Actors are encouraged to embody the characters and respond/react in ways that feel natural and realistic to them and their character.

 

Film Synopsis

A group of old high school friends reconvene in their hometown over summer holiday, reconnecting at a gamenight. Throughout the course of the evening chatting and getting high, exploring their relationships to each other, themselves, mental health and substance use.

Together they reflect on their high school experiences, what they’ve learned, how they’ve changed and how they haven’t. Tensions rise as long-kept secrets are revealed, and the group gets to know each other in ways they didn’t before.

 

Additional Information

We define youth loosely as people under 30, but also see youth as a fluid and self-defined experience (not strict about it), we define lived experience also as having some familiarity/experience with cannabis and being comfortable talking about it.
Since this film revolves around cannabis themes and cannabis use, we request that individuals are comfortable with the substance and are at ease portraying themselves under its influence or interacting with cannabis-related items.
CSSDP is an anti-oppression based organization that values diversity. We encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, queer and trans people, people of colour, people who use drugs, queer folks and youth with other identities that are often marginalized. CSSDP is committed to being an accessible employer. Please let us know of any accommodations you might require throughout the application process and throughout your time working with CSSDP your feedback is encouraged.