The Film

A Public Execution, a comedy by David Vale

The Director

James Vale

The Story

Charlie Walker was a farmer, Dairyman to be precise. But that didn't work out so he moved to the suburbs and brought along his wife, Martha, and dog, Rufus. Rufus likes to bark. The neighbors don't care for it, especially Charlie's next-door neighbor, John Rock. So John get's together a petition and the animal control officer confronts Charlie with an ultimatum: Keep the dog quiet, keep him indoors, or put him down. What will Charlie do? It becomes apparent pretty quickly when Charlie puts a sign in his front yard and begins work on a gallows. "This Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Rufus, the public nuisance, will be hanged. The public is invited to attend."

Auditions and Filming

The finished film will run approximately 30 minutes. We expect principal photography will be done over two weeks starting on or about July 10. Pick-up photography will be done the first week of August. The following roles are available:

Charlie Walker: A farmer turned suburbanite, 60s-70s.
Martha Walker: Charlie's wife, 60s-70s.
John Rock: The impatient insurance salesman from next door. 50s-60s.
Joe Simpson (Animal Control Officer): A career bureaucrat, ageless and devoid of personality.
Bonnie Thomson: Cute, happy, about 10.
Maggie Thomson: Bonnie's mother. Protective, aggressive, and confused. 30s-40s.
Billy Thomson: The cute little brother, about 6. Non-speaking role.
Tom (The Constable): The law in this area. Friendly, firm, and 30-60.
Mob (1-4): Speaking roles for the crowd scenes. Adult, but otherwise any age.

Crew

We need about half a dozen people to help with sets, costumes, and makeup. If you have experience or interest in any of these areas, we can use you.

Audition Times and Place

Auditions will be held at the Bigfork Community Center, 639 Commerce St, across from the Middle School. Arrive at the audition at a time of your convenience between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Expect your audition to take about 15 minutes, once your turn is called. Auditions will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. Minors auditioning for the roles of Bonnie or Billy should bring a parent or guardian.

Saturday, June 3th from 2-5 p.m.
Sunday, June 4th from 2-5 p.m.

Process

The audition is sort of a performance, one where you get to show off who you are and what you can do. If we're considering you for a speaking role, we'll give you a script and ask you to read from it in character. Have an idea what characters you may be interested in playing. We may have ideas of our own.

Please bring a calendar of all your conflicts from July 10 to August 6. The conflicts you list will be respected, but plan not to add any more once you are cast.

Fun, Fame, and No Pay

This is an amateur production. It will almost undoubtedly cost more to produce than it will ever bring in. Your compensation will be the enjoyment of starring in a movie, which we hope to show at next year's Bigfork Independent Film Festival, and a copy of the DVD to show to your friends and family. If it gets nominated for an Oscar, we'll invite you to a truly amazing party.