CASTING CALL
OFFICIAL CASTING NOTICE
A grounded psychological thriller about desperation, temptation, and the price people place on their integrity.
ABOUT THE FILM
Cinema Ministry Productions is seeking actors for COST, an independent, character-driven psychological thriller. A financially troubled realtor enters a secretive, high-paying behavioral study, only to discover that the most difficult decisions have nothing to do with physical danger. The story explores pride, moral compromise, personal responsibility and the consequences of choices made under pressure.
Production scale: This is a micro-budget independent feature. All advertised roles are paid, but compensation will be modest and appropriate to the production's scale; specific offers will be communicated before booking. All roles are local hires. Applicants must be able to work as local hires at Tennessee filming locations; please do not assume travel, lodging, or relocation compensation.
PRINCIPAL & FEATURED ROLES
Charismatic, recognizable realtor whose polished confidence conceals mounting pressure. Requires strong dramatic range and vulnerability.
Billy’s perceptive, compassionate wife. Warm and grounded, but capable of firm emotional confrontation.
Billy’s longtime best friend, a school principal. Quick-witted, loyal and unafraid to challenge him.
A guarded research participant struggling with shame, responsibility and difficult decisions. Emotionally demanding role.
Bold, outspoken participant with an imposing personality, sharp humor and confrontational energy.
Thoughtful, reserved business owner whose private burdens and moral boundaries surface under pressure.
Confident nonprofit leader whose composure is tested as uncomfortable personal history comes to light.
Intelligent, calm and authoritative psychologist overseeing the study. Unsettling restraint and precise delivery.
ADDITIONAL SPEAKING, FEATURED & NON-SPEAKING ROLES
Non-speaking technology operator; focused, composed, credible behind a laptop.
Must have a physically imposing presence; watchful, controlled and commanding. Includes brief choreographed physical action.
Efficient research staff member; small speaking role, measured and professional.
Confident, polished professional overseeing a real-estate closing.
Malcolm’s wife; personable with lively, conversational warmth.
Friendly local gift-shop proprietor; small speaking role.
Gym acquaintance with guarded confidence; small speaking role.
Observant and skeptical research applicant; small speaking role.
Brief non-speaking role; confident, protective presence. Includes brief choreographed physical action.
Sports agent; voice-only phone role.
Professional voice-only telephone role.
Homebuyer at a real-estate closing; small speaking role.
Very brief offscreen voice role.
Small featured or background appearances, as needed.
PRODUCTION & AUDITIONS
PROJECT & FILMING
- Independent feature film | psychological thriller
- Paid roles; local hires only
- Micro-budget independent production; compensation reflects production scale
- Non-union production
- Filming primarily on weekends
- Anticipated production: late December 2026
- Dates may shift or extend into early 2027 if location scheduling conflicts arise
- Specific location(s), call times and compensation communicated to selected performers
- Production location: Jackson, TN, and surrounding areas
AUDITION PROCESS
- Auditions by appointment only; no walk-ins
- In-person and/or video audition instructions sent after a satisfactory form submission
- Audition sides and any role-specific information will be provided to eligible applicants
- All communication by email only; verify the accuracy of your email address before submitting
- Submission deadlines will be strictly enforced
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS — PLEASE READ
Submit only through the official submission form using the SUBMIT button below. Every field on the form must be completed for a submission to be considered.
- Required: A clear, high-quality, current headshot or photograph.
- If available: Acting resume, IMDb page, and demo reel or link(s) to reels.
- Reel links must be publicly viewable. Production will not contact applicants to request video access, passwords or changes to private link settings.
- Submissions missing required information, failing to follow instructions, or clearly outside the stated casting specifications may be disregarded without individual notice.
- All audition follow-up, sides, scheduling and casting communication will be handled exclusively by email.
Content advisory: The film includes mature themes, distressing personal disclosures, betrayal and implied sexual content; the nature of this material will be disclosed and discussed with performers before any booking.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: November 1st at 11:59 pm CST
All roles paid • Local hires only • Appointment-only auditions • Cinema Ministry Productions