Free Casting Calls and Auditions

“JIMMY’S CAFE”, Promo, NON-UNION
Shoots September / October 2008
Some Pay

JIMMY’S CAFE is the story of a young, talented and passionate Latina woman named JUSTINA, whose extraordinary beauty has been both a blessing and a curse on her life. Having survived the horrors of kidnapping and forced prostitution in a labor camp, she is once again forced to be another man’s woman. After promising to turn tricks for someone else, she’s allowed to return to East Los Angeles but manages to escape. During her absence she learns that her mother has died. Deeply saddened, angry and mistrusting, she tries to pick up the shattered pieces of her life and move on.
JIMMY’S CAFÉ is a love story. During her quest for a new life and a job, preferably as a singer, Justina meets the young, handsome guapo-poet, VINNY LUPARI, who falls in love with her on their first encounter. Vinny, who wastes no time to engage her into his life, eagerly suggests that she audition at his father’s club, Jimmy’s Café. JIMMY LUPARI, Vinny’s father, is a cautious and over-protective man; and upon discovering Justina’s tarnished past, admonishes his only son to reconsider and forget all about her; especially in light of the fact that his long-time jealous fiancé, Stefania, would never allow the likes of another breathtaking Latina beauty in their midst to tempt Jimmy again!
VINNY, stubborn like his father, and obviously falling in love, refuses to stop seeing JUSTINA and goes about desperately trying to get her employment with the unbridled enthusiasm and audacity of hope of a conquering hero. Fate, once again, intervenes, as Justina finally finds a job as a Dance Instructor. Her singing career at Jimmy’s Café will have to wait
Our antagonist, The Russian, a self-proclaimed pimp, cokehead and psycho, who bought the rights of possession of JUSTINA from the labor camp and from whom she managed to escape, continues to stalk Justina. He repeatedly and unsuccessfully attempts to kidnap her to have all to himself. On one occasion, even STEFANIA’S life is in danger. This gets the immediate attention of JIMMY, whose family is sacred. STEFANIA, who by now has bonded with Justina and sees her in a different light, compels JIMMY to help in this hour of crisis.
As hearts soften, Jimmy and Stefania grow fond of Justina. It follows that Justina is welcome to have her Singing Debut at Jimmy’s Café. On this much anticipated and exciting evening, Justina wows everyone with her talent, beauty and charisma. After the Club closes, The Russian makes one more attempt to kidnap Justina, who, with Vinny, barely escape The Russian’s wrath. In the end, Jimmy and friends courageously bring this psycho down once and for all.
The story ends on a happy note as engagement rings are exchanged and wedding bells are heard in the background.
JIMMY’S CAFÉ is romantic love- story, peppered with good humor, passionate music and intoxicating dancing. It is a woman’s story. It addresses and explores familial conflicts, redemption, pride, humility, forgiveness, love and even racism. It knocks on God’s door for answers to age-old questions as its characters try to make sense of it all. Jimmy’s Café is about relationships. It inspires us all to take a closer look at ourselves as we try to just get along and figure out this thing, this journey, this wondrous conundrum and experience called life.

Seeking:

JUSTINA: (The Latina Beauty and Central Figure of the Story). This stunning 24-29 year-old Latina is sultry and sensuous. She is both blessed and cursed with extraordinary beauty and talent. Every man desires her once they see her for the first time. Every man She sings and can dance. Her green eyes (optional) speak volumes. Justina is very old school in many ways. Abandoned by her father at an early age and raised by her loving and gentle mother, Justina has been brought up with strict family values and plain common sense. Deeply religious, she leans on God, her greatest strength when she experiences the daunting tragedies in her life.

VINNY LUPARI: (Son of Jimmy and Boy-friend of Justina). Jimmy’s son and shadow to a point. A handsome 26 -29 year-old in love with life, his father, the Club business and poetry. Think James Franco meets a younger Johnny Depp. Vinny loves Sinatra and get into The Boss Springsteen. just as easily. Mark Twain is his favorite writer of all time. Vinny loves sports like any other young American but poetry really turns him on as nothing else can until Justina walks into his life. Although very devoted to his father, family and Jimmy’s Café, he breaks rank and causes a conflict with his father over his love for Justina. In the end, loves conquers all.

STEFANIA: (Jimmy’s Long-time Girlfriend). This 40 plus Italian-America is one hot and well-shaped woman. She’s been in love with Jimmy Lupari since she was 16 and waiting and waiting for him to pop the question for years. When Jimmy’s first and only wife died, Stefania filled the void in Jimmy’s life and has been like a mother to Vinny, his son, for many years. A native of New York now living in L.A., Stefania possesses the earthiness and animalistic qualities of a young Sofia Loren and Anna Magnani, combined. Passionate, possessive and jealous, Stefania is totally devoted to Jimmy. She is his soul mate. She’d die for him not to mention, kill him if Stefania (whom they call Stef.) is definitely the strength behind Jimmy. We see this story through her eyes.

THE RUSSIAN: ( The Antagonist). Think of a lean, blue eyed and very obsessed man. This 30ish psycho is a Russian immigrant who occasionally drives a limo and uses Coke like Sinus Medicine. Very insecure and compensates for it by selecting Justina as his property and love-slave. A poor excuse for a man he feels empowered by trying to control people’s lives. He too, is madly in love with Justina but, for the wrong reasons.

SAM GUERRERO: ( Jimmy’s best Friend and Voice Of reason). Mexican-American. Age late 40’s. Physically intimidating with his huge physique. In reality, he’s very gentle and thoughtful. Sam has a heart of gold. But don’t take kindness for weakness. Having served in Special Forces together with Jimmy, Sam has the lethal edge and know-how to demolish a man with very little effort. There’s also a sensitive side to this loyal friend. Witty, wise and practical, Sam is Jimmy’s alter ego.

MAMA CLARA: ( Jimmy’s Mother). The Mother whom everyone loves, Mama Clara is Jimmy’s mother. In her 80’s, she is a very strong, courageous woman. Think Dukakis meets Anne Bancroft. Her life is all about her only son, Jimmy and his happiness. This adorable woman is still full of zest and very spirited. A very classical Italian woman, Mama Clara is very religious, very Italian and very committed to her family. As with all the women in this story, Mama Clara exemplifies strength, honor, passion, decency and character.

MR. LUCANIA: (Jimmy’s Godfather and Father’s Friend.) This man is an old friend of the family. Mr. Lucania is Jimmy’s father’s Old and loyal friend. He is also Jimmy’s Godfather, a man of respect and much loved in the community; having owned and operated a chain of Liquor Stores in East Los Angeles for 50 years. A self-made millionaire, this Hispanic man in his 70’s, is still fit and very active. He has a commanding presence; very charming and elegant he sports a Van Dyke and resembles a Spanish Prince. A local Patron in the Barrio, Mr. Lucania is everyone’s Solomon as he holds forth and dispenses his wisdom liberally and freely. Having promised Jimmy’s father Luigi, to keep an eye on his son, Mr. Lucania has become a strong and integral part of the Lupari family.

BIG JOEY: An old Marine Buddy of Jimmy’s and Sam’s. Pushing 50, Big Joey is 6′4″ and weighs a lot! He’s the kind of man you want as a friend not an enemy. Divorced, diabetic and lives alone. He hangs with old army buddies discussing whatever As an ex-marine and trained in Special Forces like Jimmy and Sam, Big Joey is capable of more than collateral damage. Yet, like Sam, wee see a sensitive side to this wall-to- wall eating machine.

HARRY COHEN: ( Retired Friend-Big Band Musician). Ex-Big Band trumpet player. A close friend of Jimmy’s father. He, with others, hangs out at Jimmy’s Café on occasion and shoots the bull. Retired and full of Vinegar. Age: 74-Jewish-male. Never married. New York type.

TOMMY DE ANGELIS: ( Retired Bar-tender. Ex-Fighter). Tommy D. is a good friend of the family. He too hands out at Jimmy’s Café with Harry. Tommy is Italian-American in his 80’s. A guy from the old school.

FATHER EMILIO: ( Neighborhood Family Priest). Father Emilio is the local Priest. He has a special relationship with Justina and was a close friend of Justina’s mother. A very gentle and soft-spoken man in his 50’s; caring and attentive.

THE MOTHER OF JUSTINA: The only time we see her alive is in the Church Scene when Justina sees an Apparition of her. A very beautiful Mexican Lady in her late 50’s, she exudes love and compassion; totally devoted to her daughter. She speaks in Spanish only

THE RUSSIAN GIRL FRIEND: A gorgeous and sexy Russian woman in her late 20’s. Blue-eyed and blonde, she is your typical Russian beauty. She could be a Top- Model if she only didn’t drink and hang with The Russian who’s a loser

Send pix and resume by 08/15 to:

DSZ PRODUCTIONS
137 N. LARCHMONT BLVD. #518
LOS ANGELES, CA 90004
ATTN: DAVID S. ZIMMERMAN