Finding bodies to assist you

J

johnnyuk2011

Hi All,

Newbie here from UK.

Just wondering, do many of you have trouble finding actors to star in your productions? Planning on making a short after the summer so it will be pretty much a no budget affair..

Just looking for your thoughts more than anything else...

Thanks.

John
 
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At first it was difficult, because you don't know anyone. Once you get started it's easy though.

Start with local colleges, once you know one of them then you have a way to meet more. Most of the people I've used so far are from the college.

Starnow, I started using the site and it's been useful so far. Same again, once you have a good relationship with one person you have a way to find more reliable people.
 
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http://www.uk.castingcallpro.com/
http://www.talentcircle.org/
http://www.starnow.co.uk/
http://www.tobeseen.co.uk/

Posting an ad on either of the four above (Perhaps Gumtree, aswell) will go a long way to finding the actors you need. Ofcourse, it's favourable that you pay your actors, whether that's minimal, or the standard fee. However, many are willing to work for expenses/eats purely for experience. There are thousands of Actors that want to be involved in as many projects as possible, and would be willing to be apart of your production.

Be sure that the locations are set, that the dates/script are finalised, and that you have the necessary crew to get the very best out of your material before you post an ad. It's a very important factor when not paying your talent. They have no obligations to leaving you high and dry if you reshedule and it's not suitable for themselves, so be sure to tick the boxes before you cast.

The same can be said for finding your crew. It's not necessary in such an early stage to go out and purchase the very best equipment. Give yourself a chance. Advertise for local film-makers, or University students that are building their CV and looking to get involved. Find collaborators with their own equipment. There are, again, thousands of film-makers willing to collaborate. Networking is a huge part.

Remember, collaborating is a "Give and take" deal. Be sure to let them know your help is always there. That you'll pass the names of the cast, and crew, to any other friends in the business you have.

Best of luck. :)
 
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Well I was thinking about local colleges etc. Lucky that I am in Liverpool! There's quite a big amateur dramatic scene here, so I think I will be ready to get networking when the time comes.
 
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Papertwinproductions said:
http://www.uk.castingcallpro.com/
http://www.talentcircle.org/
http://www.starnow.co.uk/
http://www.tobeseen.co.uk/

Posting an ad on either of the four above (Perhaps Gumtree, aswell) will go a long way to finding the actors you need. Ofcourse, it's favourable that you pay your actors, whether that's minimal, or the standard fee. However, many are willing to work for expenses/eats purely for experience. There are thousands of Actors that want to be involved in as many projects as possible, and would be willing to be apart of your production.

Be sure that the locations are set, that the dates/script are finalised, and that you have the necessary crew to get the very best out of your material before you post an ad. It's a very important factor when not paying your talent. They have no obligations to leaving you high and dry if you reshedule and it's not suitable for themselves, so be sure to tick the boxes before you cast.

The same can be said for finding your crew. It's not necessary in such an early stage to go out and purchase the very best equipment. Give yourself a chance. Advertise for local film-makers, or University students that are building their CV and looking to get involved. Find collaborators with their own equipment. There are, again, thousands of film-makers willing to collaborate. Networking is a huge part.

Remember, collaborating is a "Give and take" deal. Be sure to let them know your help is always there. That you'll pass the names of the cast, and crew, to any other friends in the business you have.

Best of luck. :)
Click to expand...

Hi there, thanks for your wonderful post! You're a gem :).

Cheers
 
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I've never had difficulty getting actors in London and I've also never paid them anything other than covering expenses and a delicious banquet lunch.

The sites that PTP names are the sites that you want to use. Post your casting call about 5-7 days before your auditions and at least 10 days before your shoot dates.
 
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Looking at this thread, alot of actors are getting cheesed off with working for free! I can understand this to a certain extent.

http://www.uk.castingcallpro.com/viewtopic.php?chain=103&topicnum=50301

What's your opinion on this?

I suppose in a lot of respects it depends on the experience of the actor and whether the director/producer is just trying to manipulate people. If you are trying to make a non/low budget feature with the intent to make money, then it's only fair that actors get some sort of wage. However, if it's just for a short film for showcase purposes then it's hardly cheeky to ask for volunteers is it? After all, if it's YOUR project and you are not making a penny, then well? :huh:

It's very controversial to say the least...
 
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NickClapper said:
I've never had difficulty getting actors in London and I've also never paid them anything other than covering expenses and a delicious banquet lunch.

The sites that PTP names are the sites that you want to use. Post your casting call about 5-7 days before your auditions and at least 10 days before your shoot dates.
Click to expand...

Take this dude's advice on finding talent. My first few shorts were all (non-acting) friends. Nick's first short has some solid talent (with actual actors), so whatever he (and PTP) are suggesting should be the way to go.
 
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johnnyuk2011 said:
Looking at this thread, alot of actors are getting cheesed off with working for free! I can understand this to a certain extent.

http://www.uk.castingcallpro.com/viewtopic.php?chain=103&topicnum=50301

What's your opinion on this?

I suppose in a lot of respects it depends on the experience of the actor and whether the director/producer is just trying to manipulate people. If you are trying to make a non/low budget feature with the intent to make money, then it's only fair that actors get some sort of wage. However, if it's just for a short film for showcase purposes then it's hardly cheeky to ask for volunteers is it? After all, if it's YOUR project and you are not making a penny, then well? :huh:

It's very controversial to say the least...
Click to expand...

I read through it, some funny posts. It's true, actors are constantly asked to work for free. It's not inherently right or wrong, just a per-project basis.

If you can afford to pay actors but decide to spend the money in another area, then expect to get what ou pay for. Acting is their income. I've been asked to edit and produce for free many times. I pick a few of the jobs or if it's really interestng or for a good cause I'll take it, but most of them I politely decline and work for people paying.

If you can pay your actors, do it. Even $100 a day goes a long, long way. If you can't, expect a few snide remarks and understand here it's coming from, then work with the people that are willing to work with you.

Remember, you get what you pay for!
 
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johnnyuk2011 said:
Looking at this thread, alot of actors are getting cheesed off with working for free! I can understand this to a certain extent.

http://www.uk.castingcallpro.com/viewtopic.php?chain=103&topicnum=50301
Click to expand...

maybe that's why I got ONE reply from ccp and 46 from starnow.

That's why I suggest the college for your first short, at our level it's about gaining experience. As the producer of my short films I'm the one that's out of pocket each time. If you can afford professional actors and your film is going to be worth the expense then get pro actors.
 
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johnnyuk2011 said:
Looking at this thread, alot of actors are getting cheesed off with working for free! I can understand this to a certain extent.

http://www.uk.castingcallpro.com/viewtopic.php?chain=103&topicnum=50301

What's your opinion on this?

I suppose in a lot of respects it depends on the experience of the actor and whether the director/producer is just trying to manipulate people. If you are trying to make a non/low budget feature with the intent to make money, then it's only fair that actors get some sort of wage. However, if it's just for a short film for showcase purposes then it's hardly cheeky to ask for volunteers is it? After all, if it's YOUR project and you are not making a penny, then well? :huh:

It's very controversial to say the least...
Click to expand...

There are thousands of people on Casting Call Pro and very few of them will have a real problem with working for free...

I find threads like that a little irritating (and we do it on IT too with the 'look at this Craigslist post!' threads) because just because those particular people aren't interested in working for free doesn't mean no-one is. I do quite a lot of free crewing and yet some people bitch about unpaid crew posts as though there's no one interested. As far as I'm concerned if you only want paid work then that's fine but there's no need to mock people just for asking- filmmakers have to feed themselves too, not just actors.

Anyhow I posted on CCP for roles that were clearly unpaid and received like 200 applications so don't worry about it. It's easier to get actors between the ages of 20 and 30 because straight out of drama school it's tricky to get paid work and they all want to build up a good portfolio.

Unpaid gigs can still be really competitive and a lot of jobbing actors are desperate for them so I wouldn't necessarily expect snide remarks on set. You'll get snide remarks if you treat them like you're paying them a fortune and they're at your beck and call but if you're affable, not overly demanding and in control of production there won't be a problem.

I shot a short film at the start of this month in my kitchen with professional actors and despite the fact that three months later I still haven't completed post I haven't heard an unpleasant word from any of them. It's a small industry and if it starts to spread that you've got a bad attitude then it gets very difficult to get work.

Be nice and they'll be nice ;)
 
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