Casting call for short film: jenna the great - a job post by KT Parker

About the job

Casting Call for Short Indie Film: Jenna The Great

Award-winning filmmaking team shooting a short film (12th -18/19th May) in Bournemouth – Looking to complete the cast.

Through the power of a mysterious book, cocky 6th form student (Jenna) unwittingly pulls a budding young philosopher (Aristotle) 2,000 years forward from ancient Greece... To a 21st century British housing estate in the East Midlands! Jenna soon hatches a plan to get young Aristotle to do her homework for her, but he panics when he discovers he’s destined to become the teacher of Alexander The Great. The mismatched pair must make the most their time together to prepare for the biggest tests of their life.

This will be an IMDB-listed production with expenses and food covered. We are currently seeking funding for this project but are in need of a confirmed cast to guarantee the endorsement of a production company & possible crowdfunding campaign to bring this charming teacher/student story to life. Please attach your headshots, CV’s & showreels when applying and send to: danfamproductions@googlemail.com

The Cast of Characters are:

Jenna (playing age: 16 – 19) ALREADY CAST A troublemaker at her wits end with an education system she feels let down by, with its lack of belief in the abilities and potential of downtrodden kids. On top of school, she’s got a part-time job and a struggling mother to help at home. Her social life sucks. Yet she’s a bright girl with a soft heart and a wicked sense of humour. Will she find the encouragement she needs to break away from societal stereotypes and make something of herself?

Aristotle (playing age: 17 – 21) Mediterranean (possibly Middle Eastern) looks preferred) A brilliant student on the point of entering the prestigious academy of philosopher Plato, but lacking confidence in his abilities. He’s not that interested in girls (yet) as he considers them to be less intelligent than males. Born in Euboea (Greece), he lost his parents by the age of 10 and became a swot to distract him from his loss. Can his encounter with Jenna help build his confidence so that he can move on?

Steph (playing age 32 – 40) When she was as young and naïve as her daughter, she had Jenna. Later she married Jenna’s father, but it didn’t work out. She wants to help her daughter find a different path but she’s worn down by low-paying jobs she has to take to keep the roof over their heads. Sometimes, at a low ebb, she drinks. Even though she’s not always the best of mothers, all she really wants is to see Jenna succeed.

Mr. Winston (playing age: 42 – 50) Jenna’s bitter teacher is an ambitious man. He thinks of himself as a brilliant teacher who should be teaching at one of the greatest public schools in the land. Instead, he’s stuck in Derby in a comprehensive school surrounded by working class kids with no future (or so he thinks). His only consolation is exercising discipline and watching the kids squirm under his authority. Students have nicknamed him Hitler for his ferocity. He takes a dislike to Jenna and treats her with particular disdain.

Hilda (playing age: 50 – 60) A mysterious librarian who takes a lot of pride in her job. Books are her pleasure and she runs a tight ship. She has little time for rebels but for those who show an interest she is always willing to go the extra mile. But does she know more about some of the books secrets than she lets on and will she share these with Jenna?

Lauren (playing age: 16 – 19) ALREADY CAST Kelly (playing age 16 – 19) Jenna’s two closest friends but in fact enforcers of bad habits and attitudes. Jenna has little chance of evolving keeping company with people that bring out the worst in her. Jenna, Kelly & Lauren have known each other since they started high school, they share many stories of truancy, illegal drinks, and so on. The sisterhood is about to break-up. How will they respond?