All castings are verified. Learn more
Title: Panthering 101
Storyline: An exploratory YouTube channel spends a weekend filming a club of Black Panther hunters in the Otways.
After unexpectedly capturing footage of a real panther, they are confronted with an ethical dilemma: what will happen to this eccentric group of social outcasts if they release the footage, and can they live with the consequences?
This is a heartfelt and comedic exploration of obsession, friendship, and the consequences of revealing uncomfortable truths. The film blends mockumentary style with improvisational humour, set against the rugged wilderness of Australia's Otways.
Aspiring actors should apply for this casting because it offers the chance to play vivid, unique characters in a highly improvisational and creatively free environment, while contributing to a thoughtful and entertaining graduate production
Where did this casting call come from?
Male 18 to 28
John John Jr. John John Jr is a socially awkward ex-boy scout who never grew up, yet has the confidence of a nerd that was never bullied. Spending nearly every weekend with his grandpa and the rest of the Panthering club, he moves through the world with a blissful ignorance and childlike innocence.
Despite this, when John John meets a girl for the first time, this innocence begins to shift and he comes to realise he will do anything for love, including betraying his only real friendships. Improv is essential for the role, we want the Pantherers to bounce off each other’s ridiculousness
Male 60 to 80
John Senior. John Senior has been looking for the Otways Panther most of his adult life after hearing about its existence from a girl he was interested in during the 60s. He is convinced that he has been close on many occasions and feels like it is only a matter of time. However, there is one thing he loves more than the idea of the panther... his grandson John John Jr. In the face of his growing weariness, Jr is what really brings him back weekend after weekend.
He just wants to spend time with his grandson. John Senior also loves being the clown of the group and passing on his wisdom from many years of Panthering. John Senior’s seemingly well-informed perspectives on life and general wisdom often clash with his steadfast belief in the panthers.
He is both crazy and wise and often expresses it in one sentence. Ultimately he is really just trying to enjoy his time while he still has it, and hopefully the Panther will show its face soon. Improv is essential for the role, we want the Pantherers to bounce off each other’s ridiculousness
Male 18 to 34
Rob. Rob is the leader of the group and runs their operations with the efficiency of a local council. He has a big heart and cares deeply for every member of the group. However, he is still crazy and easily convinced of anything. Rob went down a big conspiracy theory rabbit hole during lockdown and believes conspiracies that the average sheeple haven’t even heard of.
Not bad ones, just stuff like the government are farming the panthers in the Otways and that the church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the true path to enlightenment. Due to his big heart Rob can easily be taken advantage of, which is one of his downfalls, but that big heart and not-so-big head are in the right place. Improv is essential for the role, we want the Pantherers to bounce off each other’s ridiculousness
Female 16 to 27
Darci. Darci was raised by a pack of albino brushtail possums in the bush. As she entered her teenage years her possum mother told her she had to enter the world of humans. She came across the Panthering group and has been with them ever since. She is a woman of few words and expresses herself through facial expressions and animal-like sounds.
In recent times, Rob has been teaching her how to read and they have slowly been getting through War and Peace together. Darci moves in a way that would suggest she hasn’t been around many humans and no one knows where she spends her downtime. The group see her as one of their own and all love her dearly. A lot of physicality will be needed for the role of Darci
