MAGPIE: 16mm short film - call for cast

MAGPIE (working title) is an eight-to-ten-minute short film about love, illness and about two people plunged between these two poles. We are looking to cast two lead roles (effective co-protagonists) and a third supporting role. Around six to ten extras will be needed to give density to crowd scenes depending on lens choice. The number of supporting actors may be expanded depending on reception from actors. The shooting schedule is three days long and will consist of two days filming in Cambridge and one day at a location three hours from Cambridge via public transport. Filming dates are flexible but the ultimate deadline is to have the film shot, cut and printed by the end of Michaelmas.

Two lead roles are at the heart of MAGPIE. They are joined by a third supporting role. Around six extras will be needed to give density to crowd scenes depending on lens choice. The number of supporting actors may be expanded depending on the reception from actors. But at its core, the film necessitates the audience to share the experience of our two leads. The film is their experience and will be photographed and designed to bring the audience into their world, their lives and their minds.

In all roles, it will require actors who will bring audience members into their emotional lives. Exterior performance is less important than the ability to communicate interior truth: through eyes, through words, through behaviour. It will require actors to be the emotional conduit for audience members. What you feel, the audience feels. You are the audience; and vice versa. This will be encouraged in a safe and supportive environment where listening and thinking is fundamental to work between cast and crew: not a dictatorial approach nor an approach treating actors as chess pieces but a space where you can be emotionally open and fundamentally protected.

The specifics of the roles will not be part of this call. A script has been written and roles designed: but it is simply a framework, not something set in stone. The intention is therefore to have as open a casting call as possible; something open to non-actors as well as individuals with previous experience. What is important is that you feel the emotional core of the characters and feel you can convey this to an audience. If you feel intimidated by this, don’t be! The mystery is intended to free you; not confuse you.

More details (including self-taping requirements and role information) can be found in the PDF below.

https://universityofcambridgecloud-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/ajp247_cam_ac_uk/IQCiGANtFITXTrmz2V5TXu3fAVAy05Z-2DvHYLiWpl2njbg?e=C8hzZ5

To submit an expression of interest, please use the following Microsoft Form.

https://forms.microsoft.com/e/28itn2NXTH

Contact Adam Pountney (ajp247@cam.ac.uk) before 26th Jun 2026 12:00 for more details.