05/21/2024
**FULL CASTING CALL**
Normal Scotia is a comedic series that follows two newly landed Indian immigrants who find themselves discussing and navigating the quirks of the Maritime culture they have been thrust into.
Shoot Dates: Early to Mid July 2024, exact dates TBD.
Union Status: UNION - BELL Fibe ACTRA AIP
Rate: BELL Fibe ACTRA AIP
Casting Specs:
MANISH (Principal) - 20’s, South Asian immigrant, thoughtful, cautious, introverted, kind eyes. Manish is from a village in India and although determined to fit in, finds it hard to understand the culture of Maritimers. His parents raised him to be polite, honest and hard working. Being naturally introverted, he finds socializing difficult but is determined to be part of this community.
SHIV (Principal) - 20’s, South Asian immigrant, outgoing, gregarious and adventurous. Shiv and Manish are from different parts of India but became fast friends while working at a hardware store. Unlike Manish, Shiv loves going out, trying new things and talking to people. Shiv is fearless and has endless self confidence which can sometimes get him in trouble.
GORD (Principal) - 40’s, any ethnicity. Dad bod, bad tattoos, ex-hockey player. He loves to talk, go out with friends, and has a bit of a Peter Pan complex. He likes to mansplain even though he has a low level job and a basic education. Despite his flaws, he’s very likeable.
JENNY (Principal) - Mid 20’s - Mid 30’s, any ethnicity. Cynical but still hopeful. Jenny is overeducated for her work but she unfortunately got advanced degrees in useless Liberal Arts fields and feels disappointed that her hard work in school has not paid off. While Gord provides an overly optimistic perspective of Maritime life, Jenny provides some comedic cynicism as a foil to Gord.
DEEP (Principal) - 20’s - 30’s, South Asian woman, with extreme confidence. Deep’s full name is Deepika but goes by Deep. She’s relaxed and smart but doesn’t have the same hangups around marriage that most Indians have as her parents are Buddhists and raised her in a very tolerant home.
HARDEEP (Principal) - Mid 20’s - Mid 30’s, South Asian man, muscular, tall, handsome and he knows it. Hardeep comes from a Brahmin family and has money to spare. Despite having money and good looks, he is deeply insecure and his insecurities are manifested in his passive aggressive bullying of Manish and Shiv.
NIHARINKA (Principal) - Early 20’s South Asian woman, pretty, warm personality, polite. Niharinka is Manish’s love interest. She’s smart and kind which Manish likes. She’s very family oriented and pretty much does whatever her parents tell her to do. She’s immigrated to Canada as her parents have requested and has an arranged marriage lined up. Her interactions with Manish are steeped in politeness but underlie a simmering attraction for each other.
FOLK SINGER (Principal) - 30’s - 60s - Any Ethnicity. A regular man, who plays guitar all over Halifax. Has a likable and relaxed energy. Is very into his music and very happy to spend his life playing music. Ability to play guitar is a definite plus.
MANISH'S MOM (Principal) - 50’s - 60s - South Asian woman, neurotic, over protective and nosey. Manish’s mom is overprotective and is constantly warning Manish about things that may kill him.
TRACY (Principal) - Mid to late 30’s, any ethnicity. She is Gord’s ex-wife and now live-in roommate. She’s an energetic person who is addicted to bad self improvement books and pop psychology. Also loves true crime and gossip.
GORD'S MOM (Actor) - Early 70’s, any ethnicity. She’s extra polite, but tough, and at the same time is losing her faculties.
BRAYDEN (Actor) - 40’s, any ethnicity. He is Gord’s best friend and is basically a carbon copy of Gord except he’s managed to stay in a little better shape.
DONNIE (Principal) - 30’s, any ethnicity. Used to be a hockey player and still has the confidence of one. Working class quality to him.
DONNA (Principal) - Donnie’s wife. Also mid 30’s. Attractive but with bad fashion sense, and a very sharp tongue.
BREIGHLYNN (Principal) - 20’s - 30’s, Indigenous. Optimistic and open to new things. Breighlynn, works at the store while going to school for nursing. She has a work-crush on Manish and likes to make him uncomfortable by flirting with him.
WOMAN IN WEDDING DRESS (Actor) - Mid 30’s - 50’s, any ethnicity. Very aloof, and mysterious.. Is actually a ghost wandering the streets of Halifax.
WILLOW (Actor) - 20’s, any ethnicity. She has dreadlocks and lives an organic, healthy lifestyle. She has a heavy w**d habit and is very open and relaxed.
NATRON (Principal) - 20’s black man. Natron is a relaxed and fun loving guy and enjoys being social. He befriends Shiv on the ferry.
BLACK SHIV (Actor) - 20’s black man. He’s a navy sailor and appears very serious.
COUPLE MAKING OUT (Actors) - 20’s, any ethnicity. Two people that are very in love, and make out around one of the characters regardless of where they are.
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If you would like to apply, please send a headshot or photo, with which role you are interested in auditioning for to [email protected], and we will send you the audition sides. Auditions to be self-taped and sent in to [email protected] by Wednesday, May 29 at 3:00 PM.
AMARPAL DHILLON was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, by Indian immigrants. From an early age Amarpal was in a unique position to observe the proclivities of both Maritimers and Indian immigrants. Graduating with an English degree from Dalhousie University, he has had short films produced by CBC (Pria 2005) and Bravo (Love In the Age of Like 2016).
While writing scripts is his passion, Amarpal spends his days working as an advertising creative designing ads for brands such as Honda, Labatt and Coca Cola. He’s recently launched a youtube show where he teaches Indian cooking with a Canadian twist.
CHARLES WAHL is an award winning filmmaker working in Narrative and Commercials.
His recent short film, The Mohel, World Premiered at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival, and is now Academy Award Qualified after winning Best Live Action Short, Under 15 Minutes at the 2021 Palm Springs International ShortFest..
His award winning short film – Little Grey Bubbles, had an incredible festival run with notable stops at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival, 2019 Aspen ShortsFest, 2019 Clermont- Ferrand International Short Film Festival, 2019 Palm Springs International ShortFest, and won the 2019 Best Atlantic Short Award at the 2019 FIN: Atlantic International Film Festival.
