Production Title: The Wait
Type: Short Film (Camera & Lighting Test / Proof of Concept)
Genre: Drama / Romantic Realism
Union Status: Non-Union

Location: Modern coffee shop (exact location TBD – local hires only) (Greater Philadelphia)
Shoot Duration: 1 day
Runtime: 5–10 minutes

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📖 Project Overview

The Wait is an intimate, dialogue-driven short film about two strangers who meet by chance in a coffee shop while waiting for people who never show up.
As they talk, joke, and sit in shared disappointment, they slowly recognize pieces of themselves in the other. The film lives in subtle performances, eye contact, and silence as much as the words.

This project will primarily serve as a camera and lighting test with a strong emphasis on cinematic visuals (natural daylight, shallow depth of field, clean composition) and grounded, natural performances. All final, color-graded footage will be released to both actors for use in their reels. Food will be provided on set.

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🎭 Roles

ALEX – Male, mid–late 20s
• Calm, thoughtful presence with quiet confidence.
• Emotionally reserved; uses dry humor and small talk to cover what he’s really feeling.
• Waiting for an ex who said they “just want to talk.” Unsure if he wants closure, validation, or a second chance.

Performance tone: Understated, natural, grounded. Emotion shows more in eyes and timing than big gestures.

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JORDAN – Female, mid–late 20s
• Warm, perceptive, and subtly vulnerable.
• Hopeful but guarded; she hides nerves behind conversation.
• Waiting for a first date who might not show. Trying not to take it personally.

Performance tone: Honest and nuanced. Expressive in silence, not overplayed. Emotionally intelligent energy.

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🎬 Tone & Style
• Naturalistic, cinematic, human.
• Think Before Sunrise / Normal People / Her energy: quiet connection, real conversation, no melodrama.
• The coffee shop is modern and clean, with neutral daylight and a touch of warmth. The camera work is intimate and observational.

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📌 Production Details
• Shoot Duration: 1 day
• Shoot Date: TBD (flexible based on actor availability)
• Location: Modern café (exact location shared upon casting)
• Compensation: Unpaid (Non-Union)
• Food provided
• All final, color-graded footage provided for reels
• Credit and potential IMDb listing (if applicable)

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✅ Requirements
• Comfortable with dialogue-heavy scenes and naturalistic delivery.
• Able to convey emotion subtly (through timing, silence, and micro-expressions).
• Reliable, communicative, and punctual.
• Local or able to self-report to location (no travel provided).

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📩 How to Submit

Please email your submission to: 📧 [email protected]

With the subject line: “The Wait Casting – [Your Name]”

Include:
• Headshot
• Resume and/or reel (if available)

Disclaimer: Content was provided by the original poster. Greater Philadelphia Film Office may have edited this posting for clarity, formatting, and compliance with guidelines, but does not verify the accuracy of the information provided.