Open Roles in a Short Film "Checkmate"
ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE ACCEPTED. Seeking cast to play roles in a short film "Checkmate". More details are below. About the project: Logline: When a powerful mob boss is imprisoned, his brilliant and ruthless wife seizes control o the criminal empire, turning on allies, crushing betrayal, and proving that in the game of power, the queen doesn't need a king to rule-she becomes the board itself. Synopsis: checkmate is a stylized, noir-inspired crime short film that reimagines a criminal empire as a living chessboard, where don vassilius, the fading mob boss, watches his empire collapse from behind prison glass. the real threat comes from his cunning wife, Selene, who steps forward to take control, reclaiming his crew, punishing betrayal,. and declaring a new arder where the king is no longer needed. tense, poetic, and filled with symbolic visual storytelling. checkmate serves as a proof-of-concept for a series exploring power, legacy, and the deadly game of street politics. Rate: UNION/ NON-UNION - NON-PAID SHORT. Low budget credit, meals provided, reel footage provided. Additional information: SHOOT DATES: TBD (2-3 day shoot) Location: Toronto/GTA (apartment interior shoot). Type: Proof-of-concept short film for TV series pitch/festival submission. When applying, please submit head shots & resume of yourself.
6 roles
(LEAD - THE QUEEN) Commanding, cerebral, and dangerous. Selene exudes elegance with underlying volatility. She's a strategist, not a brute a cold fire that burns anything in her way. Must convey control, emotional depth, and inner menace.
(SUPPORTING - THE KING) A once-great mob king now caged behind glass. Charismatic but exhausted, he speaks with wisdom, subtlety, and occasional menace. He knows the game is ending but he's still playing. Required: commanding presence, calm authority, subtle expression of pride, regret, and threat.
Supporting The Rook. The loyal enforcer. Built like a wall. Quiet, disciplined, and brutally efficient. He follows orders and protects the code- until the code shifts. Required: physically imposing or intense presence; fewer lines, but must command with posture and energy.
Supporting - The Knight. A sharp, unpredictable tactician. Moves fast, strikes from odd angles. Confident with quiet charisma and dark humor. A wild card who plays the long game. Required: sly delivery, ability to shift between charm and threat.
Supporting - The Bishop. A priest with secrets. Whispers in all ears. Weaselly but composed, someone always balancing spiritual calm with treacherous motives. Required: subtle menace, ability to play morally ambiguous with restraint.
Day Player - The Pawn. A nervous foot soldier caught playing both sides. His fear must feel real. His death is symbolic a warning to the world. Required: ability to deliver desperation and remorse in a brief scene.
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