Casting Call
The Bench is a poignant, character-driven short drama about love, loss, and the invisible threads that connect us all.
Set over the course of a single autumn afternoon in a quiet park, the story unfolds through the perspective of Daniel Cross - a man who remains spiritually tethered to the bench where he sacrificed his life to save his fiancée during a sudden act of violence. As strangers pass by, Daniel observes their private struggles: a runner outracing grief, a father replaying a voicemail he’ll never answer, a widow returning to the place she lost her husband, a teenage girl who feels invisible, and a young couple on the brink of forever. Blending grounded realism with a subtle spiritual lens, The Bench is an intimate meditation on sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring shape of love.
Tone: Emotional, reflective, grounded, poetic.
Comparables: Character-driven dramas with restrained performances and strong voiceover elements.
The Bench is a passion-driven independent short film. While this is a non-paid project, we are committed to creating a meaningful, collaborative, and professionally run experience for everyone involved.
All roles are brief and highly focused, with limited on-set time. Most supporting characters require minimal or no dialogue and will be scheduled efficiently, so actors will not be needed for long shooting days. Our goal is to respect your time while creating strong, emotionally impactful work. Snacks and drinks will be provided on set, and actors will receive high-quality footage for their reels. The completed film is intended for submission to film festivals, offering cast members additional exposure opportunities.
Filming Dates: April - May 2026
Filming Location: TBD
Director & Cinematographer: Jorge Robledo
2nd Assistant Camera: Mikey P.
Production Assistant: Matvei P.
Characters
Daniel Cross
Lead. Male. 25-35 | Ethnicity: White / European Descent
Warm, observant, and emotionally grounded. Daniel serves as the film’s narrator and spiritual anchor. Though physically still for much of the story, he carries deep emotional range through subtle expression and voiceover. Strong dramatic presence required. Must convey compassion, longing, and acceptance with restraint.
Performance Notes: Requires strong voiceover ability. Subtle facial acting is essential. The role demands emotional depth, restraint, and authenticity.
Maya Rodriguez
Supporting. Female. 25-35 | Ethnicity: Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, Indigenous Peoples, Latino / Hispanic
Daniel’s fiancée. Loving, intelligent, and quietly resilient. Visits the memorial bench each month with white roses. Requires layered emotional performance - grief, strength, and enduring love. One intense and emotional flashback scene during the shooting.
Performance Notes: Must convey layered grief—love, longing, strength, and survival—often without dialogue. A pivotal emotional scene during the shooting flashback requires intensity and vulnerability.
Sarah Chen
Supporting. Female. 30-50 | Ethnicity: Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, Southeast Asian / Pacific Islander
A disciplined runner who uses routine to cope with her father’s death. Story told primarily through physicality and subtle expression. No dialogue.
Performance Notes: Minimal dialogue. Story told largely through physicality and subtle expression.
Marcus Webb
Supporting. Male. 40-60 | Ethnicity: Black / African Descent
Successful professional carrying deep regret after ignoring his daughter’s final voicemail before her fatal accident. Quiet, internalized performance. Strong emotional subtlety required.
Performance Notes: Requires quiet intensity. The voicemail listening scene must feel raw but restrained.
Emma Long
Supporting. Female. 20-30 | Ethnicity: Black / African Descent, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, Southeast Asian / Pacific Islander, White / European Descent
Joyful, romantic, optimistic. Deeply in love and unaware of the larger story surrounding her. Natural warmth and authentic chemistry required.
Performance Notes: Natural chemistry required with James.
James Woodson
Supporting. Male. 20-30 | Ethnicity: Black / African Descent, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, White / European Descent
Earnest and sincere. Planning to propose to Emma Long. Grounded romantic presence.
Performance Notes: Strong romantic presence; grounded and genuine.
Grace Sullivan
Supporting. Female. 50-80 | Ethnicity: Black / African Descent, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, White / European Descent
A widow who returns daily to the bench where her husband died. Gentle, reflective, and emotionally expressive without dialogue.
Performance Notes: Expressive eyes. Minimal dialogue.
Zoe Martinez
Supporting. Female. 18-25 | Ethnicity: Black / African Descent, Indigenous Peoples, Latino / Hispanic
Introverted high school student who feels invisible. Quiet vulnerability and internalized performance style needed. Character age is 17 / High School Student.
Performance Notes: Subtle vulnerability. Internalized performance style.
Gunman
Supporting. Male. 25-35 | Ethnicity: Black / African Descent, Ethnically Ambiguous / Multiracial, Latino / Hispanic, White / European Descent
Brief but pivotal flashback role. Must convey unpredictability and intensity quickly.