CASTING CALL

We’re currently in the very early stages of casting for the film. The plan is to film a few key scenes this December for promotional and funding purposes and then complete the rest of the film in March, 2019. Filming will take place in Houston, Texas. We will consider out of state talent and will provide transportation and accommodations if cast.

If you’re interested in auditioning, please send an inquiry and headshot to frightmeterfilms@gmail.com. Specify which character(s) you’re interested in auditioning for, and further information will be sent to you. Some important details and characteristics for a few of the characters are not listed below to avoid spoilers.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS

[Ryan Billings]: Male, early to mid 20’s. Boyishly handsome, well built. Could be mistaken for a student. Possesses a quiet, polite confidence and professionalism. Being a first year teacher, he is more of an observer than a participant.

[Sue Steel]: Female, early 50’s to early 60’s. The Department chair. She’s the consummate professional, able to control situations with a single glance, though never comes off as rude or harsh.

[Brandt Carpenter]: Male, mid 20’s to early 30’s. The paramount example of the All American Boy. A jock; the head football coach. Cool, full of charm and doesn’t take things too seriously.

[Michael Perry]: Male, early to mid 30’s. Principal of Prescott High. Look like more of a GQ or Men’s Health cover model than an administrator at some small town high school. Charming, likable with a streak of playful sarcasm.

[Alice Meadows]: Female, late 30’s to early 40’s. Overly energetic and excitable. Tries to be the “hip” teacher, though she’s anything but and projects herself more as an elementary teacher than a high school one.

[Valerie Battles]: Female, early to mid 30’s. Attractive and well put together, a teacher that any high school boy with raging hormones would dream of having. However, her friendly demeanor and genuineness outshine her appearance.

[Bartender]: Female, 30s-40’s. Chatty and does what’s needed to please customers, though has an underlying bitterness that she must bartend while being a full time teacher in order to make ends meet.

MINOR ROLES (Filming in December 17-19. Prefer actors based in or around Houston)

[Brenda Newton]: Female, High School student. Extremely introverted and deflated from years and cruel bullying from her classmates.

[Andrea Campbell]: Female, High School Student. A popular, entitled, bitchy girl with a definite cruel streak.

[Jake Ryan]: Male, High School student. Andrea’s jock boyfriend. Completely smitten with her and dismisses her cruel antics.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Troy Escamilla grew up in Davenport, Iowa. An avid horror fan from an early age, Troy began writing short horror stories and scripts in elementary school. After high school, he attended the University of Iowa, where he graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary English Education. Immediately after graduation, he relocated to Houston, TX, where he began teaching high school English.

His love of horror, however, did not subside and in 2007 he started the blog FrightMeter and began the annual Fright Meter Awards, which exist solely to honor the year’s best in horror. The awards have gained a following among horror fans and allowed Troy to interview genre favorites such as Lin Shaye, Lucky McKee, and Pollyanna McIntosh. Currently, the Fright Meter Awards Committee consists of over fifty members who are involved in some capacity with the genre.

In 2015, Troy completed his third feature length screenplay, Party Night. A homage to the 80’s slasher films he grew up loving, Troy knew it needed to be filmed. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Party Night was shot in June, 2016 in the Houston, TX area with Troy serving also as Producer and Director. The film had a successful festival run, winning several awards throughout its festival run. It will be distributed this September through Wild Eye Releasing.

Filming Party Night was a pivotal moment in his life, and he realized he possessed a passion for filmmaking. This past June, he wrapped production on his second feature film, the Christmas themed slasher film Stirring. The film has recently screened at Shock Stock, Texas Frightmare Weekend, The International Horror Hotel Festival, Days of the Dead, and The Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival, where Escamilla won Best Director.