Neighbourly Neighbours

Production Company
Contemplative Ape Productions
Producer(s)
Nicolas Ayerbe, Erik Fuhr, Emily Weldon
Director(s)
Nicolas Ayerbe, Erik Fuhr
Casting Director(s): 
Nicolas Ayerbe, Erik Fuhr, Emily Weldon
Union Status
Union (TBC)
Project Type
Film
Student Production
No
Compensation Details

Volunteer Production. The whole crew and cast will be volunteers. This is a passion project intended for submission to shorts and comedy festivals. We are looking to create a fun atmosphere for all members involved, and a small production team. We will, of course, provide all performers with credits and copies of the film. Whenever possible, we will aim to help with transportation and will provide crafty and a hot meal every day. Union actors are welcome to apply as we will cover the Ultra Low Budget Short Film Insurance Costs.

Shoot / Performance Date(s)
January 2026
Shoot / Performance Location(s)
Vancouver
Submission Deadline
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Submission Instructions

Please submit to the following email: contemplativeape@outlook.com
-- Demo Reel
-- Digital Headshot
-- Resume or CV with acting credits

We are looking to cast people first through self-tapes.

Project Synopsis
After a drunken fight with Red State America, a heartbroken Blue State America stumbles across the street to propose a union with Canada. Chaos erupts when Quebec gets involved, Red State threatens violence, and old grudges surface. A sharp, absurd satire of politics, borders, and very dysfunctional neighbours.
Additional Information & Safety Protocols: 

We are working professionals in the local TV and film industry with an educational background from UBC and working credits in Canadian independent productions. We will adhere to all necessary safety and health protocols established by the BC government. As the film is mostly dialogue-driven, there is no expectation of any major stunts or intimate scenes being involved. Crafty and catering will be provided, and the shoot will be accessible within the Lower Mainland. Most of the film will be shot at night, however.

Character 1
Blue State America
Age
30s-40s
Gender
Male
Description
(White) Blue State America is a symbolic personification of Blue State America. He is trapped in a toxic marriage with his violent, abusive, alcoholic wife, Red State America. He has developed an attraction to his neighbour, Canada, and hopes that he can escape his failed marriage by joining her. However, despite his liberal pretensions, he is ignorant, arrogant and belligerent and his amorous feelings are completely unrequited. He is constantly drunk and speaks with a thick Boston accent.
Character 2
Red State America
Age
30s-40s
Gender
Female
Description
(White) Red State America is a symbolic personification of the red states of the USA. She is an overbearing, violent, abusive, and alcoholic wife. She is arrogant and belligerent, and has a bizarre sense of control over her husband whom she nonetheless despises. She speaks in a southern or mid-west accent.
Character 3
Canada
Age
30s-40s
Gender
Female
Description
(Open ethnicity) Canada is a symbolic personification of Canada. She is in a tense marriage with her husband, Quebec. However, she is distressed to find that her well-meaning but ignorant neighbour, Blue State America, wishes to join her in marriage, which has drawn the wrath of his violent and psychotic wife, Red State America. Smart and quick on her feet, Canada always tries to find a way to politely talk her way out of tense and awkward situations. She speaks mostly in English, but will occasionally attempt to speak to her husband in her poor French.