Audition/Casting Call

ROPE

New York University

New York City, NY 10003

Deadline

Rolling

Posted

May 14, 2023

Casting “Rope”, a NYU Student Film. Logline: During a night of erotic bondage, Aki begins to recall the story of his grandmother’s disappearance. An “ama”, or “sea woman” of Northern Japan, her gradual descent into the ocean’s loving arms reflects Aki’s drift from the ropes and lover who bind him. This interweaving of past and present is a story of diaspora and generational trauma—of memory that ties us to, constricts us in, and eventually liberates us from the past. Elements of magical realism and queer love are present throughout this experimental film.

GRANDMOTHER: LEAD. Aki’s Grandmother, an ama or woman of the sea, is a girl with eyes that see past the horizon, quiet but resolute in her actions. Her magical ability to find pearls without trying leads her to feel as if the ocean is calling out to her. The more she dives, the more she feels as if her home is no longer on land.

The role of “Grandmother”:
–must be Japanese.
–contains nudity; chest tissue exposed, as ama traditionally did not wear any clothes on their upper body. A change to a top can be discussed between the actor, director, and Intimacy Coordinator.
–does not have a speaking role, as the section she is in is without sound (MOS).

AKI: LEAD. Aki finds themselves a world far away from their grandmother during a night of intimacy with their lover, Ji. Aki’s eyes belong to that of another ocean, and they can not help but feel lost in the life that they live. But as they become tied up, Aki begins to remember the tragic story of their grandmother who dove for pearls, and the trauma of the past begins to unfurl.

The role of “Aki”:
–must be part Japanese.
–can be any gender.
–is encouraged to have a dance background but is not required.
–requires partaking in scenes with BDSM dynamics, including slapping, degradation, kissing, touching, and rough play. All will be thoroughly discussed, and we will be employing both a professional Intimacy Coordinator and a bondage rigging professional. We are committed to working in a consent-based way and all choreography will be co-created with our actors per their boundaries.
–nudity involving exposed chest tissue. Nudity involving exposed genitals, which can be changed to underwear upon discussion between the actor, director, and Intimacy Coordinator.
–will be in rope bondage. Will be suspended and restricted by rope with the help of a rope bondage rigging professional.

JI: SUPPORTING. If Aki is a wave; Ji is the crag the wave crashes against. Aki’s raucous lover, Ji is probing, energetic, and sharp. They love tying Aki up and testing the waters of their love.

The role of “Ji”:
–is encouraged to be Asian but is not required.
–is encouraged to be trans, non-binary, or genderfluid, but is not required.
–is encouraged to have a dance background but is not required.
–requires partaking in scenes with BDSM dynamics, including slapping, degradation, kissing, touching, and rough play. All will be thoroughly discussed, and we will be employing both a professional Intimacy Coordinator and a bondage rigging professional. We are committed to working in a consent-based way and all choreography will be co-created with our actors per their boundaries.
–nudity involving exposed chest tissue. Change to wearing a binder/wrap may be considered with the actor and upon discussion between the director and Intimacy Coordinator. Additionally, Ji shows no nudity of the genitals but an exposure of underwear; this can be changed upon further discussion.
–the actor will be simulating shibari tying, but a professional rigger will be executing the actual ties.

FATHER: SUPPORTING. The patriarch of the story, the Father of Grandmother has taken her down to the crags every morning to dive for pearls all her life. He cares deeply for her safety, shouldering quietly the rope that connects her to the land. But as his daughter is pulled deeper and deeper into the arms of the ocean, Father must decide how to save Grandmother before it is too late.

The role of “Father”:
–must be Japanese.
–does not have a speaking role, as the section he is in is without sound (MOS).

Requirements

For consideration, ‘Rope’ includes scenes of bondage and BDSM dynamics. We are deeply committed to a consent-forward approach to our work and will be working closely with an Intimacy Coordinator and professional bondage rigger. All choreography will be co-created with our actors according to their boundaries.