Got Talent?

Production title: Flocker
Union / Non-Union: SAG
Production Type: Independent
Project length: Short Film (20 minutes)
Project format: 16:9 HD
Expected production dates: Early December 2011 or Early 2012
Production location: Austin, TX
Production Company: Starveling Productions
Company website: https://www.starvelingproductions.com
Director: Jayson Oaks
Producers: Jayson Oaks, Elissa Bouillion
Shooting Location: Austin, TX and surrounding areas
Email: casting at starvelingproductions.com
Compensation: Paid/Deferred/Unpaid

Synopsis:
Down in the bayous of South East Texas it rarely snows, yet the desire for a white Christmas knows no bounds. With a little Christmas magic, and a lot of chemicals, flock can give you a tree covered in a fresh blanket of spray-on snow. Flocker, a narrative short, tells the story of Emmett, a young man who's love of flock changes his life forever.

Emmett is a misfit in his small Texas town. He is the flocker for the Thibodeaux Christmas tree lot, lives in a run-down trailer at the back of the tree lot, and he is in love with his boss’ son. However, his artistic flair for flocking trees has made his work popular far and wide. Emmett doesn't just flock the trees in the usual array of solid colors; from American flags to peppermint stripes, he creates fantastical works of art using the trees as a canvas. Although he finds satisfaction in his art, he can’t escape the knowledge that he will soon be out of a job as the Christmas tree season is about to end. Not only will he loose the one true outlet he has for his amazing talent, he will no longer be near the owner's son, Seth. Seth is completely disdainful of our dirt-poor hero, but delights in toying with Emmett’s affections in private. When an opportunity arises to leave the confines of his small town and make a life that is truly his own, Emmett is forced to confront the harsh realities of his life. Our story is a look into one day of a young man’s life when he must decide whether it's better to stay with the devil he knows, remaining misunderstood and unappreciated, or take a leap of faith and finally believe in himself.

Lead Roles:
Emmett - male (mid-late 20's)
Emmett is a hardworking guy, who looks like a typical blue collar, good ol' boy. However, he is an outsider in his family and in his small town because he is openly gay. He works as the Christmas tree flocker for the Thibodeaux family's Christmas tree lot. At first, he took the job to cover for his Uncle Johnny, who had been injured, but Emmett found his artistic voice and can now create amazing, never-before-seen works of art using flock on the Christmas trees. Emmett is also falling for the owner's son, Seth, who uses Emmett's affection to toy with him. Even though his trees make Mrs. Thibodeaux a lot of money, the closer Emmett gets to Seth, the more his job is in jeopardy.

Seth Thibodeaux - male (early-mid 20's)
Seth is a very good looking frat-guy type, but is lazy and very much a momma's boy. He has never known a hard day's work, and looks down on Emmett as the “help”. Seth is satisfied by the easy life that his good looks and Momma have provided for him. While he calls himself straight, he amuses himself by toying with Emmett's emotions, and stringing him along.

Mrs. Thibodeaux - female (40's-50's)
Mrs. Thibodeaux owns the tree lot, and while she enjoys the extra attention and money that Emmett's work brings, she is not happy with him being near Seth. She has a seemingly sweet exterior, but she has a weak grasp on her lady-like manners when she's angry. Mrs. Thibodeaux clearly considers Emmett to be beneath her and her family, and makes every effort to keep Emmett at arm's length. She considers herself generous because she has provided Emmett a run-down trailer to live in during the Christmas tree season. However, she uses this as an excuse to pay him pennies and keep him “on-call” to flock trees. She has noticed her son, Seth, get closer to Emmett, so when Mr. Johanson offers to take Emmett on the road, she sees her chance to turn up the pressure on Emmett to leave.

Mr. Johanson - male (40's-50's)
Mr. Johanson is a traveling salesman of flock and flocking supplies. He has come to the Thibodeaux Christmas tree lot after hearing about Emmett's flocking style. He has come to offer Emmett a partnership to travel and teach his technique to other flockers. Mr. Johanson is the only person who offers Emmett a choice and respect.

Uncle Johnny - male (40's-60's+)
Johnny, Emmett's uncle, had been the tree flocker for the Thibodeaux's for many seasons, but when he injured his back, he arranged for Emmett to fill in for him until his back healed. He is a scheming, crass, and hard-edged man who struggles to make it in life. Now that his disability is about to run out, he is eager to take his job back. Johnny also thinks that Emmett's clear feelings for Seth could put Johnny's own relationship with Mrs. Thibodeaux in trouble. He is determined to force his nephew out of his job.

Supporting Roles:
Mr. And Mrs. Jones
This couple is looking for the perfect tree. As the couple bickers, Emmett is able to convince the husband to shell out the extra cash for a “designer” tree, and creates the wife's dream tree.

Mrs. Baxter
A meek and mild woman who is wanting a tree to upstage her neighborhood rival Linda Beth.

Linda Beth
A brash woman who refuses to be outdone by Mrs. Baxter

Darlene and Thomas
A young couple that can't be torn away from texting/talking on their phones long enough to be convinced of the benefits of a flocked tree.