Any tips / ideas for recruiting talent (actors)?

[Joe999]

Any tips / ideas / suggestions for finding / recruiting actors for short films? The situation is I live in Duluth, MN which is about 3 hrs north of Minneapolis where it would likely be easier to find talent. Several colleges in town so of course I will email their theater departments, post on corkboards on those campuses. But any suggestions welcomed for recruiting talent. I suppose I could recruit people I meet in coffee shops, but though these will be my first short films I want to have the best talent possible; I figure lousy superficial acting will ruin my shorts, waste everybody's time, although I suppose it would provide for a learning experience no matter what happens. But I figure I owe it to other actors if even in a short film to have the best co-actors.

Been a long winter here in Minnesota, but good for writing. So, I have four short film screenplays ready for filming once the weather warms and snow disappears. Working on getting needed props, going to do some rough storyboarding. Time to start thinking of recruiting talent.

 

[georgiahoosier]

I put a short ad on Craigslist.com during the summer when I needed an actress for the ChillerTV competition and was surprised at the number of people in the area that responded.

I even pointed out that it was not going to be a paid gig, but I would cover some travel and pay for lunch.

Neil

 

[Joe999]

Never used Craigslist before, I checked it out once and geezes their fine print policy was worded like if you violated its nebulous terms you would have to pay them $3000 a day, but that scared me off from posting a classified. How legit and safe is craigslist, I do not want to get into something where they sue my arse just for posting a simple casting call classified.

I did just find craigslist for Duluth and this looks interesting-- they have a GIGS section with subsections for Talent, Crew, etc. Thanks for reminding me of craigs!

I put a short ad on Craigslist.com during the summer when I needed an actress for the ChillerTV competition and was surprised at the number of people in the area that responded.
I even pointed out that it was not going to be a paid gig, but I would cover some travel and pay for lunch.
Neil

 

[don patterson]

Hey Joe999,

Hope this helps...

Looking for cast? I have worked with hundreds of non-professional actors. Visit www.hauntedmovie.com -- it will give you an example of what and how I get fresh cast for movies. I show video clip examples of what I do (also more video can be found at www.youtube.com with a stonepatterson search). On the web site I try to explain completely how I work with cast and what they can expect from me in return. I am completely up front and honest. On opening page -- watch the bottom right hand corner "auditions" clip first -- it will get you into the proper mood for 'casting' and watching the other video clips...
It is very hard to get quality (name) actors when you have no budget to work with. Also for every 10 potential actors -- I have found on average, only 1 is going to follow through with commitments (unless you are paying). But, be aware that most non-professional want-to-be-actors can do a pretty good job of acting. It depends on how good of a director, cinematographer and editor you are. It also helps if you can re write the script to fit the actor available. I also use three DVcam (DSR 300) cameras and shoot many takes from different camera angles. I edit during the week while shooting on the weekends. This allows cast to view what we did previously and allows cast to improve the quality of acting if given the opportunity to reshoot (the poor quality) scene(s).
I also act (for better or for worse). Which allows me to fully understand what the cast in front of the camera experiences.
Having said all this -- I make movies for the fun of it. Let me know what you think of my website? Thanks. If you have any suggestions or comments feel free to contact me. Please feel free to pass the web site onto others.

don patterson

 

[knightly]

Joe, I'm about as far from you as you are from the cities, but I'm up for shooting stuff over the summer (except during the 48 hour weekend and leadup). Here or there, plans can be made. I have access to equipment here and cast/crew.

 

[Joe999]

That sounds really good, let's dialog on this over the coming weeks. I just tried clicking your signature link to your website but it was not found. What part of MN are you at? (you can private msg me if you want to instead of posting it here publicly). I live in Duluth, I own a duplex and the upstairs is purely for film editing, etc.; it has a bedroom I am going to use for a short film romantic comedy, a nice modern kitchen and bathroom-- knightly if you ever came here to Duluth for making a short film collaboratively I could put you upstairs no problem-- privacy, kitchen, bathroom with shower, wifi internet, beautiful view of Lake Superior. Come here and help me make a film, or I could help you make a film, I need the experience I am a noob. I have equipment-- Canon XHA1, boom, shotgun mic, sound mixer, reflector, lighting, etc.; have four short scripts ready to go-- romantic comedy, romantic drama. Tweaking a few others-- horror, film noir, etc. Got a fogger recently-- I am going to write a horror short soon.

I posted classifieds on craig's list today for crew and talent, also signed up on onemodelplace.com and am contacting a few model-actresses there. Going to network a bit also at a Duluth short film festival this weekend to give out fliers for a website I just set up,
http://borealfilmmakers.net
which is just for bringing together MN and WI filmmakers, talent, crew, writers, musicians, etc. (knightly, perhaps you would consider signing up there? free, spam free).

Stay in touch.

Joe, I'm about as far from you as you are from the cities, but I'm up for shooting stuff over the summer (except during the 48 hour weekend and leadup). Here or there, plans can be made. I have access to equipment here and cast/crew.