Casting Actors for "Mr. Ray and Shady" Short Film

Lead. Smart, beautiful, and emotionally layered. A single mother and straight-A MBA student. Despite carrying trauma from her past—including the loss of her parents and being a survivor of sexual assault—Tina is fiercely protective of her son and determined to create a better life for them. Resilient but stretched to her limit. Actress must be able to convey strength, vulnerability, and quiet desperation.

Supporting. Tina’s older sister. Street-smart, blunt, and hardened by life. Former exotic dancer who became the family caretaker at a young age. Loves her sister and nephew but struggles with guilt and resentment. Offers tough love but means well. Actress must bring grit, sass, and authenticity.

Supporting. Landlord. Intimidating, manipulative, and crass. Uses his authority to exert power over vulnerable tenants. A mix of sleaze and threat. Should be able to shift from fake charm to menacing in an instant.

Day Player. Tina’s boss. Old-school, sarcastic, and opinionated. Offers harsh truths with a dash of humor. Doesn’t grasp the complexity of Tina’s situation, but isn’t malicious. Comic timing a plus.

Day Player. Payroll/HR administrator. Sharp-tongued, impatient, and all business. Not intentionally mean, but completely disconnected from the human side of her job. Thinks she’s heard it all before.

Supporting Lead repo agent. Intimidating and thuggish. Ruthless, verbally abusive, and enjoys throwing his weight around. Must be physically imposing and bring raw energy to the screen.

Day Players. Repo muscle. Silent, expressionless, and mechanical. Their job is to take what’s owed without empathy.

Day Players. Repo muscle. Silent, expressionless, and mechanical. Their job is to take what’s owed without empathy.