Darla and the Beast

Production Company
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Director(s)
Kayleigh Davidson
Casting Director(s): 
Kayleigh Davidson
Union Status
Non-Union
Project Type
Film
Student Production
Yes
Compensation Details

This is a student film and a volunteer project

Audition Date(s)
February 16, 2025 - February 23, 2025
Audition Location
online-only
Shoot / Performance Date(s)
Mid-Late March (must be available either March 1 or 2nd for a two hour shoot at Emily Carr University of Art + Design)
Shoot / Performance Location(s)
Metro Vancouver
Submission Deadline
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Submission Instructions

Please submit a SELF-TAPE by 11:59pm on SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2025 to darlaandthebeast@gmail.com and feel free to reach out by email for any questions/comments about the audition process or the project.

Project Synopsis
DIANA and MIRA are two sisters living under the abuse of their older brother DAN. After Dan storms out of the house one night, Diana and Mira are left alone, but still find themselves unable to connect with one another. Trying to fill the silence, the sisters come across a bizarre children's TV show that they are both fans of, called Darla and the Beast. While watching the show, Diana begins to realise how eerily similar the show is to the lives of her and her sister, captivated Diana begins to merge the world of the show with her own life, using her emboldened state to fight the monstrous version of Dan that lives in her mind. **NOTE** The film will utilise experimental elements, such as Double Casting Diana and Mira as Darla and Amy (the TV characters) and using SFX Makeup
Character 1
Diana
Age
19
Gender
Female
Description
Diana is a girl in her late teens, having lived in an abusive household for years she is emotionally stunted and growing frustrated with where she is in her life. She fiercely loves her younger sister Mira, and tries to protect her from facing the brunt of the abuse by stepping in to take it instead. Despite this love for her sister, she finds herself unable to connect with her because she refuses to talk about the violence she is facing.
Character 2
Mira
Age
16
Gender
Female
Description
Despite the troubles in her life, Mira has managed to hang on to her positive outlook on life. She is bit shy, but with a bubbly personality and a whole lot of love for her older sister Diana. In spite of everything going on around her, she remains a light in the dark with her ability to see the good in life.
Character 3
Dan
Age
24
Gender
Male
Description
Suffering under the weight of his own depression and extreme anger issues, Dan takes it all out on his family (mainly Diana and Mira). Physically and emotionally, Dan is a ticking time bomb that everyone waits to see blow up. His presence is extremely intimidating and even when he isn't physically present, the fear he causes his sisters lingers. A larger than life and an extremely complex character.
Character 4
Darla
Age
19
Gender
Female
Description
**IMPORTANT NOTE** This role will be double cast with the role of Diana. Darla is a TV character who lives in sitcom style setting with her younger sister Amy and a cartoonish fictional beast. She looks and moves in a style reminiscent of stop motion animation or marionette puppets, and often speaks in an almost monotone or emotionless manner. Her character serves as Diana's mirror, they share the same deep love for their younger sister's despite their bad living situations.
Character 5
Amy
Age
16
Gender
Female
Description
**IMPORTANT NOTE** This role will be double cast with the role of Mira. Amy is a TV character who lives in a sitcom setting with her older sister Diana and a cartoonish fictional beast. She is very youthful and keeps a lot of childlike innocence. Due to an attack from the Beast a few years prior, Amy has a large hand/claw shaped scar over her mouth that prevents her from speaking (this will be achieved with SFX makeup). She has a lot of fear directed towards the Beast, but trusts that her older sister will protect her.