Casting Call for "Say What You Mean" Short Film

The Wife (Winnie) craves the picture perfect family, the cookie cutter, white picket fence life. So much so, that she brushes her husband’s anger, her son’s departure, and herself under the rug. The Wife doesn’t know who she is, she just knows she needs to be the best hostess for this dinner.

The Husband (Harrison) is the man’s man, a man who sticks with tradition, for better and worse. He believes in making a man of yourself, putting in the hard work, but is also prone to angry outbursts as he doesn’t really know how to deal with complex emotions. The man needs therapy.

The Uncle (Christian) is a man of faith with the mouth of a sailor. He’s dealt with his childhood trauma and is embarrassed for the way his brother conducts himself. He tends to keep to himself, and is considered a loner, which is why he’s ended up at this dinner.

The Son (Sam) is on his third year of college, and has adopted a sense of progressive indepedence since flying the coop. However, he does feel a responsibility to his mother as he knows what she goes through living with his father. This loyalty can only go so far, though, when she bugs the crap out of him and hates his girlfriend.

The Girlfriend (Gabrielle) is nervous for this family dinner. She’s heard tales of this family from her boyfriend, and wants to make the best impression she can. Her tactic is to get his mom to like her, because once you get the mother, you’ve won.