A dinner table is set for three, but only two people are present. A mother and a father are waiting for their daughter. The food is ready, the table is prepared, everything is in place, except her.
The film follows their conversation as it moves through small, everyday topics, where tension slowly builds through what is said, repeated, and avoided.
Nothing explicit happens, yet something is constantly at stake.
"It Is What We Say It Is" is a performance-driven short film that relies on subtle acting, timing, and attention to detail.
The focus is on natural, precise performances where meaning emerges through pauses, gestures, and shifts in tone.

What do we offer?
This is an unpaid student production developed within the Sandberg Instituut (Amsterdam), Department of Fine Arts.
In return, we offer a carefully developed, performance-driven project, a strong script, and a focused, collaborative process.
The film will be presented as part of the Sandberg Instituut graduation exhibition at Loods6 (Amsterdam), opening June 10, and screened within the exhibition context.

Type
studentenproductie

Location
Amsterdam

Description
We are looking for three performers:
• Mother (on screen)
• Father (on screen)
• Narration voice (off-screen)
The story follows a white family, therefore we are specifically casting white actors for the roles of the mother and father in order to stay true to the narrative context.

Mother and Father:
Adult performers with a natural and grounded presence.
The film requires subtle, precise acting, the ability to work with pauses, repetition, and minimal emotional expression is essential.

Voice (off-screen):
Open to everyone. We are looking for someone with a strong sense of rhythm, attention to language, and the ability to carry meaning through voice alone.

Overall, this is a performance-driven project that focuses on nuance, timing, and small shifts in behavior rather than overt emotion.

Timeperiod
Filming is scheduled between May 11–14 in Amsterdam.
The project will be shot over a short and focused period, with a minimal set and a strong emphasis on performance.
Casting will happen as soon as possible.
We are looking for performers who are available on these dates and interested in a precise, collaborative process.

Language requirements
English

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