The period thriller is a micro budget adaptation of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's 1892 short story of the same name.
Shooting dates are tentatively in place from the 1st-18th July, with filming due to take place in Limerick and Clare. Production is looking to cast five roles in total, worth up to €120 per day. More information can be found about the production on ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ film website – here.
Gilman’s short story follows the story of a depressed young writer in the late 19th century, who is restricted by her well-intentioned physician husband to a summer of bed rest in a remote country estate. However, the isolation - and her obsession with the yellow wallpaper pattern in her room - sets in motion her descent into madness.
The Yellow Wallpaper is a canon of feminist literature with complex layers and themes that, although written in a Victorian era, still resonate with contemporary life and politics. Both story and author are well known in the literary world as early influencers of feminist themes in writing, and to this day the story remains a staple of high school and collegiate reading, raising fundamental issues around women’s roles in society, mental illness, and social expectations of women’s mental and sexual health.
Casting
To apply, please send link to reel, headshots and CV to castingTYWirl@gmail.com including the character name followed by the applicants’ name in the subject line. Call-backs will be asked to provide a self-tape of provided sides.
Main Characters:
Accent / Dialect: Standard American Accent circa 1890
JANE - Lead (cast Alexandra Loreth)
Jane a young writer and artist, suffers from postpartum depression and finds herself imprisoned in her husband’s well-intentioned yet detrimental care.
- Female, age range of 19-25
- Height: 5′ 3’
- 36 scenes
JOHN - Jane’s husband, a physician
John, an 1890’s doctor restricts his depressed wife’s behaviour as part of a “rest treatment”. Unlike his imaginative wife, John is extremely practical, preferring facts and figures to “fancy,” at which he “scoffs openly.” He seems to love his wife, but he does not understand the negative effect his treatment has on her.
- White male, age 30-45
- Height range: 5′ 6’ - 5’10’
- Build: medium, moderately attractive but not too pretty
- Approximately 15 Scenes
- Approximately 5-7 days
JENNIE - John's sister
John's sister, Jennie, acts as housekeeper for the couple. She takes care of her brother’s household since his wife is incapable. Her presence and her contentment with a domestic role intensify Jane’s feelings of guilt over her own inability to act as a traditional wife and mother.
- Caucasian woman, age 30-45
- Height range: 5′4 - 5’9’
- Build: medium, not too pretty
- Approximately 18 scenes
- Approximately 5-7 days
MARY - Servant / Nurse (Irish casting, likely to only be in Ireland)
Mary takes care of the baby (so we think). She is a mysterious and enigmatic character that may be a fantasy in Jane’s mind. Jane sees glimpses of herself in Mary.
- Caucasian woman, age 22-35
- Height range: 5′3 - 5’8’
- Build: lean, fit
- Approximately 5 scenes
- Approximately 2-3 days
Secondary Characters:
JAMES - Jane’s older brother who is also a doctor. (Waiting until John is cast)
- Caucasian male, age 40-50
- Height range: 5′ 6’ - 5’10’
- Build: lean, not too fit
- 1-2 scenes
Carriage Driver
- Male 45-60
- No lines
- Opening scene