Pinnacle Pictures
The Story Matters
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Roots and Wings

The Characters

Two leads at the heart of the story, and the family and community whose choices shape their journey.

Character imagery is conceptual. Named performers are casting references only; no talent is attached.

01Leads

The Leads

Emily singing at a county fair at golden hour — character concept

Emily

Lead · Protagonist

A 17-year-old singer who loses her mother and is frozen out by her stepfamily. Resilient and searching for where she belongs, her journey from running away to finding an unexpected home is the emotional spine of the film.

Casting Requirements

An actress who can convincingly portray 17 and sing the role’s musical material herself. She needs an expressive voice, natural screen presence, and the emotional range to portray grief, vulnerability, resilience, and growing confidence. Singing ability is required.

Casting References
Mckenna Grace — casting reference
Mckenna Grace / Freya Skye / Natasha Bure types

Also open to discovering an emerging Christian singer/actress with strong dramatic ability.

Named performers are creative references only; no talent is attached.

Dan — character concept

Dan

Lead

A widower grieving his wife and son. Restoring his son’s 1967 Mustang, he reluctantly shelters Emily and begins to rediscover faith and family.

Casting Notes

An actor who can carry quiet grief and guarded warmth as a widower who slowly opens his home, and himself, to Emily.

Casting Vision
Dennis Quaid — casting reference
Dennis Quaid / Kevin Sorbo type
02Supporting

Family & Conflict

Larry — character concept

Larry

Emily’s Stepfather

Loves Emily and challenges Vickie’s treatment of her, but fails to protect her consistently. Eventually acknowledges how he let her down.

Casting Vision
Ricky Schroder — casting reference
Ricky Schroder type
Vickie — character concept

Vickie

Larry’s Wife

Cold toward Emily and openly favoring her own daughter, Vickie makes Emily feel increasingly unwelcome at home.

Casting Vision
Carrie Underwood — casting reference
Carrie Underwood type
Junior — character concept

Junior

Antagonist

A gang member following in his late father’s footsteps. Threatens Tommy and his imprisoned father to force Tommy into a new robbery.

Casting Vision
Diego Tinoco — casting reference
Diego Tinoco / Michael Cimino types
David — character concept

David

Emily’s Boyfriend

Encourages Emily to run away, then assaults and abandons her on a rural roadside after she rejects his advances.

Casting Vision
Sammy Dell — casting reference
Sammy Dell type
03Supporting

Community & Second Chances

Tommy — character concept

Tommy

Key Supporting

A young man trying to leave juvenile trouble behind. Threats against his imprisoned father test his resolve as his bond with Emily deepens.

Casting Vision
Noah Lande — casting reference
Noah Lande type
Pastor Frank — character concept

Pastor Frank

Community Anchor

A voice of faith and practical compassion. Recruits Dan and Sam to help Tommy expose Junior’s attempted robbery.

Casting Vision
Matthew West — casting reference
Matthew West / Chris Tomlin type
Sam — character concept

Sam

Auto Parts Store Owner

Works with Dan and Pastor Frank to help Tommy expose Junior’s attempted robbery.

Casting Vision
Cameron Arnett — casting reference
Cameron Arnett type
04Ensemble

Additional Roles

Jessica
Vickie’s daughter
Joe
Tommy’s imprisoned father
Tony
Orchestrates the blackmail from prison
Sheriff, Public Defender & others
Third-act roles