ANNOUNCING THE MOTION PICTURE INSTITUTE
STUDENT FILM AUDITIONS

SATURDAY – July 19th at the Motion Picture Institute in TROY.
11:00am – 2:00pm
Doors will lock at 1:00pm but auditions, once you are inside, will continue to 2:00pm.
2040 Crooks Rd B, Troy, MI 48084

On Audition Day, doors will open at 11am. Scripts will be available, and rehearsal space will be provided for you to practice. No one will be admitted after 1:00pm. All auditions must conclude by 2:00pm.

The students are gearing up to bring their visionary stories to life, and we’re on the lookout for passionate actors to breathe life into a diverse array of characters. From the depths of emotional drama to the peaks of comedic timing, our films offer a canvas for your talent. Dive into the detailed film overviews and intriguing character studies waiting just a click away. Your role in our next cinematic masterpiece is just a step away – are you ready to take the leap?

Last updated: July 4th

These are student films – there will be no compensation – but Actor Reel Footage will be provided! This is a great opportunity to grow your reel and get some film experience for your resume.

To read more about the individual films being cast scroll down to the section MOVIES.

You may bring these assets to your audition, but they are not required if you do not have them:

  • Basic information (name, age, contact info, etc.)
  • A list of all parts you are auditioning for

ACTOR SIGN UP

We ask all those interested in auditioning to sign up ahead of time to be placed into our database. This will save time when you arrive at the auditions.

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IF I HAD A HEART

Directed By: Stephen Caver

Genre: Drama, Science Fiction

In a world where cyborgs have become jealous of humans, three people try to make their way to salvation.

Number of Principal Characters: 3

Xeno (Lead)
Gender Unspecified, All Ethnicities ,20s
Xeno, is the joy and the laughter, think Nightcrawler (Xmen) or Bubbles (PowerPuff Girls). He/She is between early 20s. They are WILDLY naive and imaginative. Very creative and finds beauty in all things. Very playful and unorganized. Whimsical and loves to wander. Lacks survival skills and life experience.

Xeno does sit on an abandoned overpass of a residential street and it’s sort of high. And they do cartwheels

Human 2 (Supporting)
Gender Unspecified, All Ethnicities, 40s
Human 2 is courteous and aloof. He/she keeps their eyes on the prize. They are very good at direction and being practical. The oldest of the group, 40s, was in a resistance group of very smart individuals but lacked combat skills. Human 2 and a child were the only 2 not slaughtered. The child was captured. Human 2 nows pours themselves into the mission as a distraction. He/she also is more patient and tolerable of Xeno’s childish ways, a way to make up for not being able to save that child.

Cries during a scene.

Human 3 (Supporting)
Gender Unspecified, All Ethnicities, 30s
Human 3 is the self proclaimed leader, doesn’t share much about themselves. He/She is early 30 – 40s Extremely rough around the edges. Very cold and distant and doesn’t want anything to do with emotions. All we know about him/her is that his father was in the military and made it a point to pass down the history of how things came to be.

ALTERNATE ENDING

Directed By: Kaylah Moua

Genre: Drama

A weary young woman trapped in the echoes of her past must confront the unseen forces that haunt her—memories embodied as blindfolded figures—before she can finally break free and reclaim her own reality.

Number of Principal Characters: 4

Eloise (Lead)
FEMALE, All Ethnicities, 18-21
Eloise is a reserved and introspective woman in her mid-20s, weighed down by lingering emotions and unseen forces. She finds solace in her journal but struggles with the choice between holding on and letting go. Initially withdrawn and frustrated, she gradually confronts her inner turmoil, ultimately choosing to step away, leaving the blindfold—and her past—behind.

Unknown #1 (Supporting)
Any Gender, All Ethnicities, 12-21
A quiet observer, caught between empathy and indulgence. They hesitate but ultimately acknowledge Eloise’s struggle, subtly shifting as she chooses to leave.

Unknown #2 (Supporting)
Any Gender, All Ethnicities, 14-21
Defiant and carefree, they resist change and push for distraction, refusing to let Eloise’s emotions dictate their world. When confronted, they question their impact but remain reluctant to face the truth.

Unknown #3 (Supporting)
Any Gender, All Ethnicities, 18-21
The most introspective and understanding, they challenge Unknown #2’s perspective and guide Eloise toward closure. Their final gesture—the blindfold—symbolizes acceptance and the choice to move forward.

DINO DAD

Directed By: Kate Suter

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance/Family

After losing her father, a young child desperately fights to hold onto the family she has left.

Number of Principal Characters: 2

Jude (Lead)
MALE or FEMALE, All Ethnicities, 5 to 10
Devoted daughter, intelligent, brave, compassionate, resilient.



Jack (Lead)
MALE, All Ethnicities, 20s-40s
Rough and Rugged, quick witted, doting father, loving husband.

THE CHICHALOONEY

Directed By: Chris Swanson

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Science Fiction

A group of friends go on a road trip, unaware of the mythical creature that lies at their destination.

Number of Principal Characters: 5

Donnie (Lead)
MALE, All Ethnicities, 18-21
An upbeat, fun-loving, chaotic college dropout



Milly (Lead)
FEMALE, All Ethnicities, 18-20
A Reserved, logistic and caring nursing major having just finished her first year of college

Reuben (Lead)
MALE, All Ethnicities, 18-20
Quiet, distant, hiding great pain

Press (Lead)
FEMALE, All Ethnicities, 18-20
Easygoing and laid back



Officer (Supporting)
MALE, All Ethnicities, early 30s – late 30s
Calculated, cold, angry

ROOTS

Directed By: Angelita Gonzales

Genre: Drama, Romance/Family

A family drama about two woman who discover there families roots and have a deeper connection to their family and culture.

Number of Principal Characters: 3

Sahara (Lead)
FEMALE, Arabic/Middle Eastern, 20 -30
Strong, level headed, determined. She gave up her childhood in order to help make a better life for all of them.



Sarah (Supporting)
FEMALE, Arabic/Middle Eastern, 19-20
Creative, ambitious, optimistic. She loves to learn, travel, and sees the good in everything.

Ma (Supporting)
FEMALE, Arabic/Middle Eastern, 40- 50
Widow, strong, prideful, traditional, She will do anything for her family.

Ali (Background)
MALE, Arabic/Middle Eastern, 20-30
Wants to create a better life for himself after seeing the down fall of the country he loves.



Ali’s friend (Background)
FEMALE, Arabic/Middle Eastern, 20-30




Woman in Rally (Background)
FEMALE, Arabic/Middle Eastern,  20-30

THE WORLD IS YOUR CLASSROOM

Directed By: Jermaine Rice

Genre: Drama

Film about a young teen acting out and rebelling after the tragic loss of his father. He builds a stronger bond with his mother when his uncle visits from Chicago

Number of Principal Characters: 3

Maurice (Lead)
MALE, Black, 17-18
* Physical Description: as long as he looks the age, his description could be any look, size, or hairstyle.



Janet (Supporting)
FEMALE, Black, 38-40
* Physical Description: The physical description is open

Uncle Ed (Supporting)
MALE, Black, 45-50
* Physical Description: Older wise guy.

Cop (Background)
MALE, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Arabic/Middle Eastern, Multi Ethnic Appearance, All Ethnicities, 25+

SCRIPTED

Directed By: Jayson Kish

Genre: Drama, Horror/Suspense

A struggling screenwriter drowning in deadlines discovers a mysterious pen that brings his words to life — until it starts writing its own story, with him trapped inside.

Number of Principal Characters: 4

Mikey (Lead)
MALE, All Ethnicities, 20-30
Mikey is an anxious, tightly wound screenwriter in his late 20s to early 30s, stuck in a rut and fed up with everything. He swings from stressed and hopeless to overly confident and caught up in sudden success — until things spiral out of control.



Janet (Supporting)
FEMALE, All Ethnicities, 20-30
A high-energy exec with a peppy, radio-like voice and a sharp edge. She’s confident, persistent, and clearly has a working history with Mikey, balancing concern with firm professionalism.

Pizza Delivery Guy (Supporting)
MALE, All Ethnicities, 18-35
Chill and unfazed, he’s just doing his job — even when things get weird. The kind of guy who’s seen it all and doesn’t ask questions. Really nonchalant.

Paparazzi Man 1 (Supporting)
MALE, All Ethnicities, 20-45
Loud, invasive, and bizarrely specific, he’s a tabloid vulture who’ll say anything to get a reaction. Think TMZ meets internet troll.



Paparazzi Man 2 (Background)
MALE, All Ethnicities, 20-45
Paparazzi TMZ-like character who is there to get in Mikey’s face and start taking pictures of him inside of his room, invading his privacy.

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL

Directed By: Willie Ollie-Ray

Genre: Drama

Journalist drives home after a situation and kicks someone out of his car from the party. Goes to a bar or diner after and tries to comfort himself.

Number of Principal Characters: 2

Bill (Supporting)
MALE, White, 19-26
Party-goer of the 60’s. Rugged, dirtied denim. Shaggy hair and roughed.



Jim (Supporting)
MALE, White, 18-24
Rough and similar dirtied denim. Cleaned up a bit and ready for action.

Gene (Background)
MALE, White, 20-27
Dirty denim, unclean look. Rough biker looking guy.

Joe L. (Background)
MALE, White, 20-27
Dirtied up biker. Rough, unclean.

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