Ever look at a scrap of paper and feel like your whole life is just a series of chores you’re failing at? That’s the vibe. It’s heavy. When people search for the To Do List cast, they usually aren’t looking for the 2013 Aubrey Plaza comedy—though that’s a classic in its own right. No, they’re often hunting for the faces behind the poignant, viral short film that captured the crushing weight of grief through the lens of a simple daily checklist.
It’s about the mundane.
The film, directed by the talented Shelly Lauman, doesn’t rely on massive CGI budgets or complex scripts. It relies on the face of its lead. Honestly, the way a single actor can carry the emotional baggage of an entire audience just by staring at a piece of paper is kind of incredible.
The Face of the Film: Who is in the To Do List Cast?
The central figure here is Alice Ansara.
She isn't a "Hollywood" name in the sense of Marvel movies or tabloid covers, but in the world of Australian independent cinema and theater, she’s a powerhouse. Ansara plays the protagonist with a sort of quiet desperation that feels almost intrusive to watch. You’ve probably seen her in projects like The Daughter or Rosebery Road, but here, she’s stripped back. There is no dialogue. There is only the list.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Poor Things Nude Scene Matters More Than You Think
The casting choice was deliberate. Lauman needed someone who could communicate a decade of history without saying a word. Ansara has this way of twitching her lip or holding her breath that tells you exactly which item on the list is the one she can't finish.
Supporting her—though mostly in the periphery or through the atmosphere of the production—were key creative minds like cinematographer Sky Davies. While not "cast" in front of the camera, the way Davies shoots Ansara makes the camera a character. It’s tight. It’s claustrophobic. It feels like the walls are closing in on that kitchen table.
Why This Specific Cast Worked Where Others Fail
Short films live or die on casting. You don't have ninety minutes to build rapport with the viewer. You have five. Maybe ten.
If the To Do List cast had featured a high-profile celebrity, the artifice would have ruined it. We would have seen "Movie Star playing Sad Person." Instead, with Alice Ansara, we see a neighbor. We see ourselves. The casting feels like a mirror rather than a window.
Most people don't realize that the film was part of a larger conversation about mental health and the "invisible" labor of emotional recovery. It’s hard. It’s gritty.
Think about the list itself:
- Buy milk.
- Call mom.
- Breath.
When Ansara’s character looks at these items, the performance transitions from simple task-management to a battle for survival. That’s the nuance. A lesser actor would have overplayed the sadness. They would have cried too early. Ansara waits. She lets the silence do the heavy lifting, which is a hallmark of great Australian acting.
Beyond the Lead: The Creative Cast Behind the Scenes
We have to talk about Shelly Lauman.
As the director and writer, she is the architect of this specific "cast" of emotions. Lauman’s background in movement and physical theater is why the film feels so visceral. She treats the body as the primary script.
The film actually gained significant traction through the Short of the Week platform and various international festivals, including a notable run at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. This wasn't just a random YouTube upload; it was a highly curated piece of art. The "cast" extends to the sound design team, who made the scratching of a pen sound like a thunderclap.
Misconceptions About the To Do List Title
There’s a lot of digital noise out there. If you’re looking for Bill Hader or Rachel Bilson, you’re in the wrong place. That’s The To Do List (2013), directed by Maggie Carey. That film is a raunchy, coming-of-age comedy set in the 90s.
It’s funny, sure. It has a massive ensemble including Donald Glover, Connie Britton, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. But it’s the polar opposite of the Lauman short.
The irony? Both films are about checklists. One uses the list to explore sexual awakening and social status; the other uses it to explore the paralysis of depression. It’s a fascinating look at how the same storytelling device can be flipped 180 degrees depending on the "cast" and the tone.
📖 Related: Where to Watch Bob’s Burgers: Why It’s Kinda Tricky in 2026
- The Comedy Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg. Focus on timing and absurdity.
- The Drama Cast: Alice Ansara. Focus on stillness and internal monologue.
The Production Context of the Short Film
Produced by Lizzie Nagle, the film had to be lean.
When you’re working with a small cast and a single location, every detail is magnified. If the milk carton on the table looks too "staged," the audience checks out. The production design had to be lived-in.
They shot it in a way that emphasizes the passage of time. Light shifts. Shadows grow. This isn't just about acting; it's about the "cast" of elements—lighting, sound, performance—working in a perfect, miserable harmony.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re revisiting the film to study the performance of the To Do List cast, pay attention to the hands.
Ansara uses her hands as a primary tool of communication. The way she grips the pen. The way she folds the paper. It’s a masterclass in minimalist acting.
You can usually find the short on Vimeo or through the official Shelly Lauman portfolio. It’s a quick watch, but it lingers. It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to go out and throw your own planner in the trash, honestly.
The film reminds us that "productivity" is often a mask we wear to hide from the things that actually hurt. When the lead character finally crosses something off, it isn't a victory. It’s a relief. There is a huge difference between the two.
Actionable Steps for Exploring Independent Film Casts
If the performance in To Do List moved you, don't stop there. The world of short-form drama is where some of the best acting in the world is happening right now, far away from the glitz of the Oscars.
- Follow the actors on IMDbPro or social media. Actors like Alice Ansara often move between high-end theater and indie shorts. Tracking their trajectory gives you a better appreciation for the craft.
- Search for festival winners. Look at the winners from the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. The casting there is consistently top-tier and often features "undiscovered" talent that ends up in major features five years later.
- Analyze the "Single Room" trope. Watch other films with a cast of one. Locke (Tom Hardy) or Buried (Ryan Reynolds) are the big-budget versions, but compare them to To Do List to see how much can be achieved without a Hollywood budget.
- Support the creators. Short films are rarely profitable. If you liked the work of the To Do List cast and crew, share the video from the original source to help the director secure funding for their next feature project.
The power of the To Do List cast lies in its simplicity. It’s one woman, one kitchen, and a list of tasks that feel like mountains. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most compelling "cast" isn't an ensemble of stars, but a single human being showing us exactly what it feels like to be stuck.