Richard
Waking Hours
About the Job
Male, 35–45, Any Ethnicity. Lead role. Richard is the central character of the film — a man whose grip on reality begins to erode after discovering disturbing iPhone recordings left behind by two strangers. He initially appears grounded, rational, and introspective, but as the story unfolds, Richard becomes increasingly affected by the same subtle distortions they experienced: shifts in sound, altered perception, sleep disruption, resurfacing memories, and the uncanny feeling of being “out of sync” with himself. As the phenomenon intensifies, Richard’s emotional journey becomes the core of the film. He must navigate confusion, fear, introspection, and moments of profound vulnerability. The role requires an actor capable of subtle, naturalistic performance with strong emotional depth — someone who can convey internal unraveling through stillness, micro-expressions, and grounded realism. Richard’s scenes are filmed traditionally (not selfie-style). He drives the narrative forward as he tries to understand what happened to the others and why their experiences now seem to be reaching him. The character’s arc moves from curiosity and skepticism into psychological disorientation, isolation, and ultimately a transformative confrontation with forces he cannot fully explain. The actor must be comfortable portraying: • escalating psychological tension • moments of emotional honesty and fragility • physical and sensory changes • a slow descent into an altered state of awareness This is a challenging, nuanced lead performance requiring strong dramatic instincts and the ability to carry atmospheric, intimate scenes.