AUGUSTUS

Short Film

SAG-AFTRA

Production Company: IEG Films

Producers: B. Quinn Curry, Ayindè Howell and Jon Alston

Director: Jon Alston

Writer: Ayindè Howell

Casting Directors: Anne Chapman

Casting Associate: Michael Duni

Audition Dates: 6/13 and 6/14

Audition Location: Richmond, VA

Callback Date: TBD

Outside Shoot Dates: 6/29 to 7/7

Rate of Pay: $200/day (+10% if agent)

Shoot Location: Petersburg, VA

True local actors to Virginia are a huge plus for this Low-Budget Short Film. Please state in notes if Virginia resident.

SYNOPSIS: AUGUSTUS is a genre bending short film loosely based on Frederick “Augustus” Douglass’ life prior to becoming the great orator and abolitionist we know him as today.

[ANNA] 30’s-40’s, female, African-American. Augustus’ wife, mother to two children. Born a free woman. What she lacks in book-smarts she more than makes up for in street smarts, intuition, and wisdom. (NOTE: This role kisses another character in one scene of the film, please do not submit if you are uncomfortable).

[WILLIAM GARRISON] 20’s-30’s, male, Caucasian. An ambitious, intellectual, enterprising early abolitionist who runs an underground newspaper “The Liberator”. He tries to recruit freed and runaway slaves, including Augustus, to his cause.

[ELIZABETH GARRISON] 20’s-30’s, female, Caucasian. Stout, cheerful, good council, sometimes comic relief. Wife of abolitionist William Garrison.

[NATHAN HOWE] 30’s, male, Caucasian. Good guy, country boy. Works in the abolitionist movement and is close friends with Garrison. Smart and cautious, but loves the thrill of finding and helping those who need it.

[MINISTER MORRIS/ZIMMERMAN] 40’s, male, Caucasian. Oversees a number of black and white laborers building his new church. He often reads the bible to them as they work. Exploits the newly freed black laborers. (NOTE: This role alludes to George Zimmerman. The incident and struggle will be included in the audition and callback process).

[HENRY WILSON] 20’s-30’s, male, African-American. Optimistic. Like Augustus he is a runaway slave. Works construction. Strong of body, weak of spirit- at least initially.

[ROSETTA] 13, female, African-American. Eldest daughter of Augustus and Anna. Quiet, observant, curious. Knows how to act around strangers and keep her younger siblings safe.

[LEWIS/TRAYVON] 12-17, male, African-American. Augustus and Anna’s son. Very intelligent like his father. Loves to read, but also can be aggressive and assertive. (NOTE: This role partially represents Trayvon Martin. The incident and struggle will be included in the audition and callback process).

[TOM/SAM FINCH] 20’s-30’s, male, Caucasian. White supremacist brothers active in the reverse underground railroad, selling runaways back to their masters or the highest bidder in the south.

[AUGUSTUS’ MOTHER] 20’s-40’s, female, African-American. Protective. Knows her son is bound for greatness and pushes him to seek freedom.

[YOUNG AUGUSTUS] 7-9, male, African-American. Smart, agile, faces the world head on.

SUBMIT HERE

Auditions are by appointment only.  We very much appreciate your interest.  You will be contacted with an invitation to audition if selected.  Submitting does not guarantee an audition. Thank you so much! Anne Chapman Casting