Project: Sundown
Contract: Micro-Budget Agreement
Tentative Filming Dates: May 31 - June 1 (two-day shoot with a possible rehearsal prior)
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Submission Deadline: April 23
Storyline: Sundown follows an elderly woman suffering from dementia, Maria, and her loving, yet exhausted caretaker, Sandra. The film focuses on their evening routine just before bedtime when Maria experiences “sundowning:” a state of confusion in the late evening lasting into the night. Their routine consists of reading from Maria’s journal, enjoying the sunset, dinner, and nightly medication. Sandra does her best to support Maria but loses patience near the end of the day as her exhaustion gets the best of her. At the peak of Sandra’s frustration, Maria confides in her that she appreciates the good care Sandra shows for her. The two share a special moment singing a lullaby just before bed.
Movie inspirations for story and characters: The Farewell (2019, dir. Lulu Wang), Still Alice (2014, dir. Richard Glatzer), The Father (2020, dir. Florian Zeller)
Seeking actors able to portray:
- MARIA (Lead) - An elderly Filipina woman suffering from heart problems and dementia. In a past life, she was very independent and successful, taking great pride in her individual accomplishments and raising her daughter, Sandra, on her own. A once successful doctor and independent woman. She raised Sandra on her own and sacrificed living her own life for her daughter. Takes great pride on how close her and her daughter were growing up. In the middle stages of dementia, memories are forgotten but not near death. Still able to converse and act independently for the most part, however memories have been lost and new memories can’t be formed. Required Skills: English & Tagalog
SANDRA (Lead) - A young Filipina nurse juggling the rigors of her job while caring for her sick mother, Maria. When new exciting opportunities were coming into fruition in her life she had to reverse the role of caretaking from mother daughter to daughter to mother. Despite differences with her mom, they are extremely close. Think Gilmore Girls relationship. Always looked to make her mom proud, even going into the same medical profession as her mom to try and live up to her standards. Grew up without a father, so finding her fiancé took a lot of work and time to develop a healthy relationship with a man. Engaged for a while, wedding postponed due to Maria’s condition and becoming the main caretaker for her. Struggling to live life and watch her mother while maintaining her own sanity.
Submission Instructions: Submit a self tape to shortfilm.sundown@gmail.com reading the sides and song lyrics HERE. Please note availability in your submission. Send video reels if possible. Selected cast will have to sing an original lullaby written by our songwriter that contains both English and Tagalog. IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE SUBMIT ACTOR'S ONLINE DEMO CLIPS ALONG WITH SUBMISSION.
This is a SAG-AFTRA MICRO-BUDGET PROJECT AGREEMENT. The SAG-AFTRA Micro-Budget Project Agreement does not provide the standard protections, compensation and benefits available in other SAG-AFTRA contracts. With this agreement, most terms (including rate of pay) are subject to negotiation between Producer and Performer. This agreement does not create eligibility to join the Union or count toward SAG-AFTRA membership eligibility. Please read the SAG-AFTRA Micro Budget Project Agreement/Acknowledgment for more information.
We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to disability, race, age, color, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by law, unless otherwise specifically indicated.
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