"Jump!" An Animated Short Documentary
Jump! is a 12-minute animated historically-based documentary with minimal on-screen dialogue. We are currently casting five roles for young talent who can portray characters between the ages of 16 and 18, as well as 15-20 extras. The film tells the story of Joan Means Khabele, who, as one of the first Black students at Austin High School in 1960, paved the way with the help of her classmates toward the desegregation of Barton Springs Pool in Austin. Our goal is to match actors who resemble the people involved in the historical effort who look believable for the time period. The film will be animated using a technique called rotoscope. Actors will be filmed as usual, and then animators draw over their forms during production. All actors must be able to convey emotion through subtle facial expression and physical performance. The film primarily utilizes voiceover, but there will be a few on-camera interview style sequences for each role.
5 roles
The ideal candidate portrays a Black 17-18 year old female high school student, believable as someone from the 1960s. She is slender and petite, under 5'5". She is composed, self-contained, observant, but embodies a controlled passion. Joan's voice is calm, grounded, thoughtful with understated authority. The actor must be able to swim with confidence and be willing to jump into a body of water. Pay rate is commensurate with experience.
DAVID MARTINEZ is a darker complected Latino male, about 16-18 years old. He is a high school student who must be believable in appearance as someone from the 1960s. He is of small stature, steadfast and controlled, but not shy. David's voice is earnest, steady, thoughtful, slightly cautious, but not hesitant. Most lines will be delivered as voiceover with a bit of onscreen interview style dialogue. David supports the main character of the film in nonviolent acts of civil disobedience.
DERIC B OWNDS is a white male high school student, 17-18 years old and looks like he could be from the 1960s. He is of medium build, slim and tidy and has an intellectual air. Deric's voice is slightly higher pitched with nerdy overtones. Most lines will be delivered as voiceover with a bit of onscreen interview style dialogue. Deric is a friend of the leading character Joan, and supports her in acts of civil disobedience in the film.
JANET is a Black female high school student, 15-16 years old and looks like she could be from the 1960s. She is medium/petite, under 5'5". Her demeanor is fun and youthful. Janet's voice is direct, a bit feisty but still respectful. Most lines will be delivered as voiceover with a bit of onscreen interview style dialogue. Janet is the younger sister of the film's main character and supports the main character in nonviolent acts of civil disobedience.
HUNTER is a white male high school student, 16-17 years old. He is tall and gangly, with glasses and has a bit of a nerdy presence. The candidate must have the ability to convincingly portray emotion through subtle facial and bodily expression. His voice a bit gravely with nerdy overtones. Most lines will be delivered as voiceover with a bit of onscreen interview style dialogue. Hunter supports the film's main character in nonviolent acts of civil disobedience.
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