SLOW BURN CASTING NOTICE
IMMEDIATELY CASTING FOR SHORT FILM TEASER & ONGOING CASTING FOR SHORT FILM PRODUCTION

Film Title// SLOW BURN
Logline// Two ex-lovers at a crossroad in their lives find themselves flooded
with unexpected memories of each other that they are forced to reconcile. Memories call them back to one another.

Estimated length of completed work// 30 minutes

Company:
Dandelion Pictures
Stephanie Malson, Writer/Director/Producer
Teaspoon & Pound
Tatiana Bacchus, Director/Producer

Production Description:
Casting “Slow Burn” a not love story about a love story.

Roles
Zara – Female (Lead), 30-40
Mid-quarter-life in retrograde recovering from the loss of her father, failing at an emerging career, and questioning everything.
After the loss of her father and a year of traveling through the south west on a photography project Zara returns to an empty home and equally fragile life only to be surprised by memories of her ex-boyfriend.

Ade (Ah-day) – Male (Lead), 30-45
Days before his wedding suffering through unexpected questioning of if he’s marrying the right person.

Also

30-40 Year Old Black Woman (full-figured)
30-40 Year Old Black Man (with a beard)

Rehearsal, Production Dates, and Locations TBD | Philadelphia, PA

Compensation and Contract Details : PAID $150/day plus meals willing to discuss other accommodations, as needed

PLEASE SUBMIT RESUMES & HEADSHOTS

//Background//

SLOW BURN is a narrative short film that takes an intimate look into the lives of
two ex-lovers, Zara Ellis and Ade Michele. Though magical together, with all of
the ingredients of forever, Zara and Ade could not make a final commitment to
each other.

On the night of major shifts in their journeys, they find themselves unexpectedly
thinking of each other. The film explores what these two people do with those
sudden memories.

SLOW BURN follows the traditional three-act structure, showing where Zara and
Ade are in their lives, and also with flashbacks that offer glimpses into former
relationship. The film is both a visual and character study.

The story takes place over a weekend, focusing on one night. It is a meditation
on what people do and how they deal with transition, struggling creative
practices, and solitude. Both characters are agonizing over questions about the
life transitions they are facing. In the course of one night they make unexpected
discoveries that lead to memories. These memories lure them into connecting.

The themes highlighted in this film include: wearing masks; putting them on and
taking them off; packing and unpacking boxes as a metaphor for issues in life;
self-discovery; reconciling; being vulnerable enough to feel love; closing an old
chapter with expectation for something new.

//Synopsis//

It’s midnight and Zara and Ade are racked with insomnia. They have found
themselves at a crossroad in their lives.

Zara is one step closer to reaching the next level in her career but she is
notorious for fumbling at the finish line. She returns home after a yearlong
traveling assignment taking photographs of Black love, religion, and Black
cowboys in America. She has one last element to add to her project, poems. But
Zara is in her second month of experiencing writer’s block. When she returns
home, we find her on the verge of a breakdown.

Ade is three days away from marrying his fiancée. He has dreamed about this
moment since he was a boy. Before the day we meet him, he is confident that
marrying his fiancée is the right decision. Now, he is quietly second-guessing
himself. After a night of dancing with his friends who come together for his
bachelor party, his last actions are to pack up his apartment and write his vowels.
What should be an easy task, given his love for his fiancée becomes the hardest
thing for him to do.

While packing, Ade discovers a sealed box in the closet. He unseals the box to
find items from his relationship with Zara. Meanwhile, Zara is developing the
remaining rolls of film from her project, when she develops a roll that contains
photos of her and Ade. Both discoveries slam them in the center of memories of
each other. Ade’s memory creates a strong sense of longing for Zara.
Ade decides to call Zara. They haven’t spoken in a year. He immediately tries to
undo the call. His attempt at canceling the call forces him to leave her an
awkward message. Zara eventually sees the missed call. She returns the call. They connect. The conversation begins with pleasantries but ultimately explores their connection, what separated them, unexpected discoveries, and a final confession.
The connection offers a breakthrough for Zara, who is able to write the poems,
and Ade writes his vows. They end the call feeling a strong sense of longing for
each other. Both consider meeting in person but decide to move forward with
their lives.