PROJECT:
SDSU Graduate Short Film
When Chato, a fatherless 11-year-old boy, confronts his older neighbor about putting an end to his sexual abuse, he’s later faced with having to tell the truth or lie to his own mother. At the end, who is he willing to protect?
OFFER:
Actors will receive a digital copy, credit and meals. Compensation of $50-$125 a day, depending on the role. And of course the Actors will also benefit from a great production experience and material for building their demo reel!
AUDITION:
Cold read, Improv. Bring headshot and resume to the Audition.
SHOOT DATE:
Mid-March. 2 Day shoot.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
Open to any ethnicity, but prefer a Latino(a)/mix for Chato, his Mother and Arturo
- Chato (male, age 9-12) 2 Day Shoot – $125
- BACKSTORY: Chato lost his father at the age of seven. When he moved into a new neighborhood, he met Arturo. He finally found a cool male figure in his life that he learned almost everything a boy would from his father. IN THE SCRIPT: Chato is a 6th grader who tries to be cool with his two friends, Moses and Sammie, by showing them an adult magazine. Next door with his neighbor, Arturo, Chato decides to put an end to his sexual abuse or the “experimenting” as he was manipulated into thinking. Back home with his mother, he must decide who to protect from the truth when asked about his behavior at school.
- Arturo (male, age 17-21) 1 Day Shoot – $100
- BACKSTORY: Arturo is fresh out of high school and fully aware of his sexuality towards males. He grew up with Chato as his big brother over the years. In the process, he built a trust with Chato and carefully lured him into engaging into sexual activity for the benefit of his own. IN THE SCRIPT, his objective is to try and convince Chato to engage in foreplay one last time. Once he’s rejected, he uses his words to scare Chato from saying anything about their past.
- Mother (woman, age 35-50) 1 Day Shoot $100
- BACKSTORY: Leticia lost her husband a few years back and decided to move to a new neighborhood to begin a new life from distress and pain. Her main goal was to be strong, provide and protect Chato. IN THE SCRIPT: She leaves work early to attend an urgent meeting with the principle and her son’s teacher. Once she’s informed about Chato’s behavior at school with an adult magazine, she uses her motherly instincts and knows Arturo has an involvement. When she confronts her son, her pain and fear of not knowing if her son has been in danger, devastates her.
- Teacher (female/male, age 30+) 1/2 Day Shoot $50 A genuine soul who cares about her kids and will go at any lengths to protect any of them.
- Principle (female/male, age 45+) 1/2 Day Shoot $50 A well-spoken individual who helps Leticia see the bigger picture of what may be going on at home with Chato. Sammie: (male, age 9-12) 1/2 Day shoot – $50
- Sammie is the wiser and more mature friend. He doesn’t quit approve of Chato’s actions of bringing an adult magazine to school and decides to tell their teacher about it.
- Moses: (male, age 9-12) 1/2 Day shoot – $50 Moses is more wreck less and is a loud mouth. He ultimately always follows Sammie’s decisions.
- Stevie (male, age 12-16) 1/2 Day shoot – $50 A neighborhood friend of Chatos. Stevie loves to skateboard and always tries to get Chato to skate. When he’s turned down, he knows it’s because of Arturo. He’s done trying anymore.
Warning: Heavy subject matter on sexual abuse – all implied through subtle dialogue and shooting/editing. NO NUDITY INVOLVED.