Crew Call: The Price of Staying Is Hiring
- Northstar
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
The Price of Staying is a psychological horror feature film adapted from Ellie Burdg's novel. It is a story about what happens when human beings stop being people and start becoming balance sheets. We are shooting in Colorado Springs, Colorado over 18 days in Q1 2027.
We are building this film on a micro-budget with the SAG-AFTRA Ultra Low Budget agreement. Our crew model is built on respect, clear decision domains, and sustainable workloads. That is not marketing language. That is how we actually operate.
Current Team Status
Hayden Fay has formally accepted the role of Production Designer. He will also serve as Editor, Producing Partner, and PA on flexible shoot days. His pre-production commitment is 10-15 hours per week, with a minimum of 4 on-set days. The Production Designer role is now closed.
Open Priority Hires
All roles follow the OPDF Four-Bucket Model: deferred stipend, meals on set, IMDb credit, and portfolio/reel material. Detailed info sheets are available upon request for any position listed below.
URGENT
Director of Photography (DP) - Our highest open priority. We need someone who can handle bleak, bureaucratic horror and wants to work on something unflinching. Must not be dual-hatted with Director or Gaffer. Targeted hire: September 2026.
HIGH PRIORITY
Production Manager (PM) - Requires 18+ days on-set availability. Must not be dual-hatted with Producer. Owns schedule logistics, crew coordination, and on-set operational management. Targeted hire: September 2026.
Writer / Head Writer (Subsequent Drafts) - Northstar is writing the first draft in-house. Subsequent drafts require a hired writer. Must not be dual-hatted with Director.
Location Scout - Needed to secure Halcyon tower, Swift Serve kitchen, and Continuance Processing environments. Can be freelance or stipend-based.
1st Assistant Director (1st AD) - Owns call sheets, on-set scheduling, and maintaining the shooting day. Must not be dual-hatted with a major department head. Targeted hire: October 2026.
MEDIUM PRIORITY
Casting Director - Owns casting calls, auditions, and talent recommendation slate. Budget: $3,000 flat. Must not be dual-hatted with Producer. Targeted hire: October 2026.
BTS Photographer / Videographer - For campaign assets, social content, and crowdfunding documentation. Can be hybrid with a PA on non-shoot days.
Sound Mixer / Production Sound - Owns production audio and on-set sound recording. Should not be dual-hatted with Boom Operator.
Gaffer / Key Grip - Can combine on micro-budget but ideally separate roles. Owns lighting execution and grip support.
Composer - Original score for psychological horror feature. Budget: $3,000 advance locked in Phase 1 budget. Targeted hire: September 2026.
LOWER PRIORITY / ONGOING
Colorist - Post-production color grade and final image delivery.
Production Assistant Pool - Flexible scheduling. Support across all departments on shoot days. Ongoing recruitment.
How to Apply
Subject Line: [TPS APPLICATION] - [Your Name] - [Role]
Include a reel or portfolio link, a resume or brief statement of experience, your availability for Q1 2027, and any Colorado Springs or Front Range connections. Student and early-career applicants are strongly encouraged.
If you have questions about a specific role, reply to this post or email us directly. Detailed info sheets outlining duties, compensation structure, milestones, and timeline are available upon request for all open positions.
Project Links
Discord (Team Coordination): https://discord.gg/m472CfWBQ
Production Timeline
Dev Sync 2: August 27, 2026
Crowdfundr Campaign: Late August 2026 (exact date TBD)
DP / PM Deal Memos: Targeted September 2026
Casting Director / 1st AD Deal Memos: Targeted October 2026
Shoot: 18 days, Q1 2027, Colorado Springs
This project is built on the belief that people come before product. Every role listed above has a protected decision domain. No one gets steamrolled. If you want to work on something genuinely uncomfortable and genuinely good, send us your reel.
Northstar
Director, The Price of Staying
Comments