Post by armagecko on Jun 18, 2003 23:00:26 GMT -5
Many low-budget directors make the mistake of thinking that they cannot find "real" actors, so they cast friends and family in roles that they should never play. Bad acting is certainly one of the poxes of the low-budget world. However, this need not be the case. As stated in a previous post, most metropolitan areas have talent agencies that are devoted to finding work for their actors - sometimes even if the project doesn't pay.
Most talent agencies have their talent divided up into several sections. One of those sections is the people that have some experience, but need a little more. Often, these folks are competent and dedicated actors just waiting for their chance to shine. These agency would like nothing better than to get a few more movie credits on these actors' resumes, thus making them more appealing to larger projects. Sometimes an agency will even ask an actor if he will accept "independent" (codeword for little or no pay) projects when they agree to represent him/her.
So, how do you, the low/no budget director tap into this resource? You call and ask. Go to your Yellow Pages and search for talent or modeling agencies, or do a "Google" search with your city name and talent agency. Find out how to contact the agencies nearest you and go to it. Honestly explain to them the nature of your movie, and your budgetary constraints, and ask if they would be interested in helping you out. It certainly helps to be humble when asking for donations, if you know whay I mean. Because you are, in fact, asking the agency to work for you for nothing. So, it pays to be very, VERY nice.
If an agency agrees that they might be of service, arrange a face-to-face meeting with them. This is so very important these days when so much work is done impersonally by phone or internet. Go the extra mile and win them over. Show them that you are a responsible person who genuinely appreciates their help. When you show up for your meeting, be ULTRA prepared. Have a copy of your script (or at least a synopsis and the "sides" that you will be auditioning with), your cast breakdown (the list of characters with a general description that tells the agency what you are looking for), your dates of production, a tentative schedule, and a present. This should be a tin of candy, a bouquet of flowers, or a basket of fruit - something that says, "thanks for your efforts." During this face-to-face you should go over your casting needs, your casting budget (or lack thereof - BE HONEST), and ask to see some headshots of some of the people that they have in mind, and schedule auditions. Don't waste their time by fumbling around with unorganized materials. It only makes you look incompetent and less likely to get much agency response. Ideally, you want them to be excited about your project, you're a movie director after all (!), so show some enthusiasm and charm.
Depending on the agency and the city that you live in, you might be able to audition in a room at the agency. Don't expect this, however. Instead, try to find a place that will allow you to hold auditions. Schools, theatres (not cinemas), hotel conference rooms, even parks can often be used. Beware of holding auditions at your home or private hotel room. Oftentimes this will seem "shady" or suspicious to an agency that doesn't know you very well. So unless you can totally disperse any CREEP factor, choose a more "professional" location. Notify the agency of your audition location and times during which the auditions will be held and at what intervals to schedule the talent (Every 5 minutes, every 15 minutes, etc). Make sure that they have the correct "sides" from the script and that the character who will be auditioning with those sides is clearly marked.
Many times the agency may allow you to look through their files and choose who you would like to see at auditions, but because this is a favor and you don't want to monopolize their time, sometimes it's best to let them choose the actors at their discretion. Most agencies have worked with casting for some time, and if you've explained your necessities well enough, the agency can take it from there.
Now what should happen is you should go home and get busy on other aspects of pre-production. The agency will call their actors and schedule them for the times that you have stated. Some will not be interested. Others will not be available. But many will be thrilled to audition. Soon you should receive a list of the actors and their audition times from the agency and you will be ready to find your cast!
At auditions, maintain a professional attitude and appearance. Whatever happens here will get back to the agency and will define your reputation, at least with this agency. So, be prepared and be efficient. Expect to hold at least one other callback audition and provide the agency with the list of actors that you would like to see again. After you have seen all you need to see, you can call the agency and notify them of whom you have chosen. Or, call another agency and start again.
During the production, all changes in schedule, shooting requirements, locations, pay, etc. should go through the agency first. Remember, these actors don't really work for you (especially if you're not paying), they work for the agency. If any problems arise, notify the agency.
After shooting, make sure you promptly deal with any financial obligations with the agency. Make new friends and keep old ones be paying quickly. This will surprise them and they will love you forever. Even if the agency has supplied the talent free on charge, I have always thrown in an unexpected amount (even if it's $50) just to say thanks. If you can't do that, drop off another present. Maintain good contact with these folks, because they can really help you out.
If anyone has any questions about this process, I'll try to help as best I can. I'm sure there are others out there with other good advice as well.
Most talent agencies have their talent divided up into several sections. One of those sections is the people that have some experience, but need a little more. Often, these folks are competent and dedicated actors just waiting for their chance to shine. These agency would like nothing better than to get a few more movie credits on these actors' resumes, thus making them more appealing to larger projects. Sometimes an agency will even ask an actor if he will accept "independent" (codeword for little or no pay) projects when they agree to represent him/her.
So, how do you, the low/no budget director tap into this resource? You call and ask. Go to your Yellow Pages and search for talent or modeling agencies, or do a "Google" search with your city name and talent agency. Find out how to contact the agencies nearest you and go to it. Honestly explain to them the nature of your movie, and your budgetary constraints, and ask if they would be interested in helping you out. It certainly helps to be humble when asking for donations, if you know whay I mean. Because you are, in fact, asking the agency to work for you for nothing. So, it pays to be very, VERY nice.
If an agency agrees that they might be of service, arrange a face-to-face meeting with them. This is so very important these days when so much work is done impersonally by phone or internet. Go the extra mile and win them over. Show them that you are a responsible person who genuinely appreciates their help. When you show up for your meeting, be ULTRA prepared. Have a copy of your script (or at least a synopsis and the "sides" that you will be auditioning with), your cast breakdown (the list of characters with a general description that tells the agency what you are looking for), your dates of production, a tentative schedule, and a present. This should be a tin of candy, a bouquet of flowers, or a basket of fruit - something that says, "thanks for your efforts." During this face-to-face you should go over your casting needs, your casting budget (or lack thereof - BE HONEST), and ask to see some headshots of some of the people that they have in mind, and schedule auditions. Don't waste their time by fumbling around with unorganized materials. It only makes you look incompetent and less likely to get much agency response. Ideally, you want them to be excited about your project, you're a movie director after all (!), so show some enthusiasm and charm.
Depending on the agency and the city that you live in, you might be able to audition in a room at the agency. Don't expect this, however. Instead, try to find a place that will allow you to hold auditions. Schools, theatres (not cinemas), hotel conference rooms, even parks can often be used. Beware of holding auditions at your home or private hotel room. Oftentimes this will seem "shady" or suspicious to an agency that doesn't know you very well. So unless you can totally disperse any CREEP factor, choose a more "professional" location. Notify the agency of your audition location and times during which the auditions will be held and at what intervals to schedule the talent (Every 5 minutes, every 15 minutes, etc). Make sure that they have the correct "sides" from the script and that the character who will be auditioning with those sides is clearly marked.
Many times the agency may allow you to look through their files and choose who you would like to see at auditions, but because this is a favor and you don't want to monopolize their time, sometimes it's best to let them choose the actors at their discretion. Most agencies have worked with casting for some time, and if you've explained your necessities well enough, the agency can take it from there.
Now what should happen is you should go home and get busy on other aspects of pre-production. The agency will call their actors and schedule them for the times that you have stated. Some will not be interested. Others will not be available. But many will be thrilled to audition. Soon you should receive a list of the actors and their audition times from the agency and you will be ready to find your cast!
At auditions, maintain a professional attitude and appearance. Whatever happens here will get back to the agency and will define your reputation, at least with this agency. So, be prepared and be efficient. Expect to hold at least one other callback audition and provide the agency with the list of actors that you would like to see again. After you have seen all you need to see, you can call the agency and notify them of whom you have chosen. Or, call another agency and start again.
During the production, all changes in schedule, shooting requirements, locations, pay, etc. should go through the agency first. Remember, these actors don't really work for you (especially if you're not paying), they work for the agency. If any problems arise, notify the agency.
After shooting, make sure you promptly deal with any financial obligations with the agency. Make new friends and keep old ones be paying quickly. This will surprise them and they will love you forever. Even if the agency has supplied the talent free on charge, I have always thrown in an unexpected amount (even if it's $50) just to say thanks. If you can't do that, drop off another present. Maintain good contact with these folks, because they can really help you out.
If anyone has any questions about this process, I'll try to help as best I can. I'm sure there are others out there with other good advice as well.