Casting for an Undergraduate Thesis Film – Paid Opportunity – March 2025

Casting for an Undergraduate Thesis Film

Hi there!

My name is Macey Moser, and I’m a senior finishing my last semester at UT Austin in the undergraduate film and television program. I’m putting together/directing an undergraduate thesis short film as my final UT project, and I would love to cast deaf/hard-of-hearing actors in the Texas community!

My writers and I have been crafting a story consisting of deaf actors, specifically a little boy aged between 8-12 years old, and a man between 30-70 years old.

I firmly believe that the deaf community isn’t properly represented/utilized enough in the film world, and I aim to make a short film that not only represents the community, but celebrates it!

My producer Oscar Garza Topete and I would be happy to share more information, and have our casting call attached below if this is something you’d be able to post for us 🙂 We are filming the week of March 4, 2025 and would love to start auditioning folks ASAP!

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out!

Thank you so much!
Macey Moser
maceym@utexas.edu
(281) 635-4265

CASTING CALL:

Logline: A deaf nine-year-old realizes he’s being kidnapped by his ASL teacher, as he’s stuck with him on the side of the road.

MILO (Casting ages 8-12yrs.) – A curious and playful boy who has a close relationship with Mr. K, his American Sign Language teacher at Piney Brush School. A deaf or hard-of-hearing actor fluent in ASL would be required for this role.

MR. K (Casting ages 30-70yrs.) – An older American Sign Language teacher from Piney Brush School with a gruff, overgrown appearance who cares deeply for his young student, Milo. His impulsive ability to take risks is meddled with the question of what he has to lose this late in life. A hearing or hard-of-hearing actor fluent in ASL preferred for the role, though deaf actors are encouraged to audition!

We are filming for four days, March 6-9th in central Austin, TX (exact location TBD). We would require our actors for Milo and Mr. K to each have at least one rehearsal session with the director the week of February 25th (negotiable if this week does not work)! Interpreters will be provided on-set.

Compensation:

For compensation, we are offering $100/day during production for the roles of Mr. K and Milo. We will be providing a copy of the short film for actors to use for their acting reel, as well as an open invitation to the film’s public screening at UT Austin in early May (date TBA). Meals+snacks will also be provided on set.

Throughout post-production of the film, edits and various versions will be workshopped and presented in front of a group of undergraduate student directors who will be actively producing, directing, and working on student films throughout the year of 2025. The undergraduate thesis |screening is also one of the most popular and renowned student film screenings in the country.

Auditioning:

If interested in auditioning for the role, please email the director (roadsidethesisfilm@gmail.com) for the designated sides, and provide a self-tape, headshot, and resume (if available). From there, the production team may host in-person/zoom auditions with possible callbacks/chemistry reads.