NAWZ SPRITEZ, a fantasy adventure feature set in modern day Los Angeles, follows a gang of charismatic queer teens misfits in peril after one of them is abducted by a serial killer cop. With an 80s vibe akin to The Neverending Story, The Goonies, and Stand By Me, the story weaves across past, present, and future, chronicling a mystical struggle against power…

• No on screen nudity for any role
• Film contains graphic violence, light blood, unsettling imagery, disturbing themes, implied sexual violence, suggested self-harm
  
• Film contains anti-religious themes
  
• Film contains anti-police themes
  
• Film contains positively portrayed depictions of crime
  
• Film contains trans persecution and violence against trans people
  
• Director is a public figure trans POC with significant media attention
  
• “PG-13” targeted rating
  

• GENDER refers to character gender identity and presentation.
• “Nonbinary” refers to genderfluid, agender, bigender, demigender, genderqueer, androgynous, neutrois, two-spirit, gender nonconforming, third gender, pangender, gender apathetic, greygender, polygender, postgender, and all nonbinary genders
  
• Preference is for actors with similar gender identity to character. Note that the queerness of the trans/nonbinary characters is intrinsic to the role. Themes about gender are intrinsic to the story.
  
• For BIPOC characters, mixed race is welcome including white-presenting.
  
• Note that the racial identity of the characters is intrinsic to the role, identity of the characters and the story.
  
• ALL ACTORS MUST BE 18+, ABLE TO CONVINCINGLY PERFORM CHARACTER AGE
  
• LA area residents are preferred
  

STRIPEZ (Lead): They/them BIPOC Nonbinary Femme 15-18 years old. Small to medium frame

• Personal Characteristics: Self doubting, self hating, empathetic
  
• Outward Characteristics: Existential, tolerant, quiet
  
• STRIPEZ is reflective and troubled. They’re a teen who’s already been on a long journey and have much farther to go.
  
• They’re the leader of the gang, respected for their reflectiveness and interpersonal consideration
  
• Main character of film
  
• Similar Characters - Guts (Berserk Golden Age), Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games), Professor Charles Xavier (X-Men) all of whom struggle with terrible choices that have difficult internal and external consequences
  
• Experienced with staff or spear martial arts or able to learn
  
• Post gender confirming top surgery preferred
  
• This character gets shot, suffers on screen physical assault
  
• Has a fight scene, needs to be able to run
  
• Needs basic skateboarding ability- straight line on sidewalk/street with confidence
  
• Basic Dance ability
  

WINGZ (Lead): They/them BIPOC Nonbinary Femme, 15-22 years old. Small frame

• Personal Characteristics: Gloomy, calm, accountable to themselves
  
• Outward Characteristics: Assertive, staunchly reliable, decisive, giving
  
• WINGZ has strong, unconventional ideals and firmly backs them up with unwavering action
  
• The Ellen Ripley (Alien/Aliens) of the gang
  
• Has a fight scene, needs to be able to run
  
• Needs basic skateboarding ability- straight line on sidewalk/street with confidence
  
• Basic Dance ability
  

TAILZ (Lead): They/them BIPOC Femme/Nonbinary, 14-18 years old. Any frame

• Personal Characteristics: Self-doubting, fearful, strategic thinker
  
• Outward Characteristics: Brainy, curious, excitable, jokester
  
• TAILZ is an exuberant bookworm who ends up saddled with the penalties of inaction
  
• The Bruce Banner (not The Hulk) of the gang
  
• Has a fight scene, needs to be able to run
  
• Needs basic skateboarding ability- straight line on sidewalk/street with confidence
  
• Basic Dance ability
  

POOFYZ (Lead): They/them White or White presenting Nonbinary, 14-18 years old. Athletic, Medium and up frame

• Personal Characteristics: Optimistic, devoted, trusting, hardheaded
  
• Outward Characteristics: Nincompoopish, sullen, misinformed
  
• POOFYZ is the punching bag of the gang, often clowning on themselves without realizing it. While the gang moves out of the margins of society, they find themselves aligning more with normal social conventions.
  
• The well-meaning Judas of the gang
  
• Has a fight scene, needs to be able to run.
  
• Needs basic skateboarding ability- straight line on sidewalk/street with confidence
  
• Basic Dance ability
  

CHATTERZ (Lead): They/them BIPOC Nonbinary, 10-14 years old. Small frame

• Personal Characteristics: Resentful, anger-laden, reflective
  
• Outward Characteristics: Audacious, aggressive, indefatigable, uninhibited
  
• CHATTERZ is both the runt of the gang and the toughest. A shittalker and instigator.
  
• The Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist) or Wolverine (X-Men) of the gang
  
• Has a fight scene, needs to be able to run
  
• Must be comfortable with light prosthetic injury and burn sfx makeup
  
• This character is restrained and suffers on screen physical assault
  
• Needs basic skateboarding ability- straight line on sidewalk/street with confidence
  
• Moderate Dance ability
  

OLD KID (Lead): They/Them Nonbinary Indigenous / POC, 14-18 years old. Slender frame.

• Personal Characteristics: Curious, Resentful, Determined
  
• Outward Characteristics: Reactive, Brooding, Loner
  
• Has a fight scene, needs to be able to run across mixed terrain
  
• Basic stage hand to hand and prop weapon skills preferred
  

YOUNG KID (Lead): They/Them Nonbinary, Indigenous / POC, 6-12 years old. Slender to moderate frame.

• Personal Characteristics: Indefatigable, Optimistic, Knowledgeable
  
• Outward Characteristics: Kind, Bright, Daring, Patient
  
• Narrator of the movie
  
• Has a fight scene, needs to be able to run across mixed terrain
  
• Basic stage hand to hand and prop weapon skills preferred
  
• Voiceover recording
  

SQUASHY (Supporting): They/Them North American Indigenous, Nonbinary 20-30 years old. Slender to moderate frame.

• Characteristics: Skeptical, Contemplative, Pragmatic
  
• Think Lisa Simpson but as a punk
  
• Minor speaking role
  

SMOOSHY (Supporting): They/Them North American Indigenous, Nonbinary 20-30 years old. Slender to moderate frame.

• Characteristics: Brash, stoner, expressive
  
• Think Beavis and Butthead or Jay from “Clerks” but as a punk
  
• Minor speaking role
  

Creepy Man (Supporting): He/Him Cis White Man (or white passing) 40-60 years old. Heavy frame.

• Characteristics: Rude, insulting, mocking, sanctimonious, aggressive
  
• Basic stage fighting skills required
  
• Minor speaking role
  

Holy Guy From The Past (Supporting): He/Him Southeast-Asian passing man 40-70 years old. Heavy frame- the bigger the better.

• Characteristics: Menacing, tortured, spiteful, power-mad, cruel
  
• Thoroughly shaved head and facial hair a must, no chest hair
  
• Think of Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars)
  
• Must be comfortable with oral prosthetics
  
• Strong mime / gesture / facial expression a must
  

Holy Guy From The Future (Supporting): He/Him White (or white passing) 30-60 years old Medium frame.

• Characteristics: Reserved, transcended, techy, detached, inhuman persona
  
• Think Mark Zuckerberg
  
• Must be comfortable with oral prosthetics
  
• Strong mime / gesture / facial expression a must
  
• Store Owner (Supporting): He/Him or She/Her 30-50 years old. Lean to Heavy frame.
  
• Clean cut, normcore.
  
• Strong mime / gesture / facial expression a must, ability to run short distance is a must
  

Monk 1 through Monk 10: He/Him 25-50 years old

• Southeast-Asian passing
  
• Characteristics: Greedy, wicked, vile.
  
• Moderate to heavy frame
  
• Thoroughly shaved head and face a must OR comfortable with bald cap
  
• Must be ok with full California sun.
  
• Ability to swing a sword a must
  
• Rudimentary dance ability is a must and ability to take dance instruction a must.
  

Past/Future Villagers 1 through Villager 15: Men and Women 20-100 years old

• Southeast-Asian passing
  
• Slender to Medium frame
  
• Characteristics: Reserved, strong sense of community, expressive
  
• Rudimentary dance ability is a must and ability to take dance instruction a must.
  
• Ability to kneel, walk, stand, hold and swing a spear a must
  
• Must be ok with light prosthetic age and identity disguising makeup.
  
• Must be ok with full California sun.
  

Sunset Kids: They/Them IPOC nonbinary 6-15 years old.

• Characteristics: Exuberant, brave, bold
  
• Ability to run on mixed terrain and swing a spear a must.
  
• Rudimentary dance ability is a must and ability to take dance instruction a must.
  

Email the following to casting@nawzgang.com

• Headshot(s) DOES NOT NEED TO BE PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT
• Acting / Entertainment resume
• Acting / Entertainment Portfolio (if available)
• Demo reel link (if available)
• Socials: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
• Contact Information - Email, phone (actor or agent)

Self Tape (speaking roles only) - follow format strictly

• Intro with full name, role auditioning for, agency (if applicable)
• Medium shot (waist up). Position camera at eye level. Plain / uncluttered background preferable
• MUST USE smartphone rear facing camera. NOT selfie camera. NOT pro camera. Self tapes will NOT be assessed on production quality. Make sure you are well lit though so we can see you!
• Ensure voice is clearly audible. Use microphone if necessary.
• Use unlisted YouTube/Vimeo or dropbox or google drive or wetransfer link
• 1-5m personal choice scene with lines. ANY SCENE FROM ANY FILM/PLAY/SHOW/BOOK.
• If scene includes interaction, have other reader off camera
• Pick a scene you really enjoy OR one that touches on the role
• If role has dance:
• 1m dance routine- any style, any song. Free dance or choreo, showcase your persona over any technical skill

REHEARSAL DATES AND LOCATION

May 2024, Los Angeles area

SHOOTING DATES AND LOCATION

June - August 2024, Los Angeles area, Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Santa Monica Mountains

COMPENSATION

Leads: Negotiable, depending on role and experience
Supporting / BG: Negotiable, and in accordance with CA state law, industry standards, union regulations.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

JEN G.

11054 Ventura Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 91604


casting@nawzgang.com

EMAIL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS! Do not hesitate!

THANK YOU