A new movie filming in Syracuse is looking for local actors to fill seven specific roles.
A casting call posted Tuesday by AND Casting says the “day player” roles are needed for an upcoming project under the working title “Red Ink.” The film will shoot 1940s-era scenes in Central New York in January 2026.
Actors who would like to be considered must email casting director Annie Delano ([email protected]) with their name, headshot, contact info and the role they would like to audition for. If their photo passes the first round of submissions, audition requests will be sent out Thursday with further instructions; auditions will be due by Sunday night and all roles will be cast before Christmas.
The roles include:
MIDGE BAKER (40s–60s. Female. White. Slightly rotund. Quirky & Comedic.)
Midge is the lightning-fast, unflappable switchboard operator — the hub through which half the city’s news, gossip, and emergencies seem to pass. She sits at her post like an air-traffic controller of 1949 Manhattan, juggling blinking lights, frantic callers, and newsroom chaos with practiced ease.Looking for an actor with strong comedic undercurrents, quick hands, expressive reactions, and the ability to make a brief role instantly memorable.
Shooting 1/6/26-1/14/26 with Saturday and Sunday off
*****
RADIO ANNOUNCER (On Camera Actor) (40s–70s. Male. Any ethnicity. Gaunt. Distinguished & Stoic.)
The Radio Announcer delivers the closing broadcast of the film — a calm, authoritative, era-accurate voice carrying the weight of a national crisis. Their tone is steady, measured, and unmistakably 1949: clipped consonants, rich mid-century radio cadence, and a sense of grave responsibility as they relay breaking news to the American public. Looking for an actor with exceptional vocal control, presence, and authenticity — someone who can channel classic radio broadcasters (Edward R. Murrow, H.V. Kaltenborn, Gabriel Heatter, etc.) and make the final message land with both authority and poignancy.
Works 1 Day on 1/14/26
*****
CARTOONIST (50s–60s. Male. White.)
A bullpen regular with a desk full of sketches and inked proofs. Has a direct interaction with Bob, showing him a political cartoon mid-draft. Must be comfortable physically handling drawing tools and creating the appearance of quick sketching. 1–2 short lines possible. Strong expressive face and comedic timing helpful.
Works 1 Day: 1/15/26
*****
COPYWRITER “CHARLES” (40s–50s. Male. Any Ethnicity.)
Fast-talking bullpen staffers pitching headline ideas and story angles as Bob moves through the room. Must handle rapid-fire dialogue rhythm even if only delivering 1–2 lines. Comfortable with typewriters, paper handling, and bustling newsroom activity. Appears in multiple passes in the background of long takes.
Works 1 Day: 1/12/26
*****
JUNIOR COPYWRITER (20s–30s. Any gender. Any ethnicity.)
An eager, quick-moving staff writer in the Verity bullpen. Still early in their career, they hustle to keep pace with the chaos — typing, revising, pitching, and trying not to get steamrolled by senior editors. Sharp, energetic, and visibly invested in proving themselves. May deliver a quick pitched line or reaction. Must be comfortable with typewriters, fast paper handling, and overlapping dialogue rhythm. Appears in the bullpen during a major continuous-take sequence.
Works 1 Day: 1/15/26
*****
PAPERBOY (18-25. Male. Any ethnicity.)
A young newsboy brought into the Verity photo studio for a staged publicity shoot. Earnest, wide-eyed, and a little overwhelmed by the bustling grown-up world around him, but trying hard to look confident for the camera. Needs strong nonverbal presence, the ability to take direction on simple physical beats (posing, holding props, reacting to the crew), and comfort working in a busy set environment. Period feel is important — polite, composed, and authentic to 1949.
Works 1 Day: 1/15/26
*****
DESK JOCKEY (20s–50s. Any gender. Any Ethnicity.)
One of the bullpen’s continuously busy clerks — on phones, taking messages, moving copy pages, or fielding calls. Highly energetic physical work and strong continuity presence required, as this actor appears repeatedly throughout the continuous shots. Silent acting but with specific beats.
Works 1 Day 1/12/26
*****
All of the roles could potentially work more days as background actors, except Midge and the Radio Announcer, according to Delano. Additional opportunities for background actors/extras will be sent out in January to people who have signed up on andcasting.com.
No travel will be provided by production or compensated for by the production; all day player actors must be local to Syracuse. All roles are paid SAG Scale; actors can be non-union or union to audition.
Additional details, including the plot, director, cast, production company, and filming locations, have not been announced. The character descriptions, however, suggest the scenes will be set in 1949.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.syracuse.com ’
