Hiring Cast & Crew for Experience Only.

T

The Mastermind

I'm producing a short film -- my first film. I have no financial backing and there's no money I can pay to talent; it's something to do just for the experience and to show potential investors when I finally seek funding for more important stories and ideas I develop later. Of course, everyone who works on the film would be credited and receive a copy.

I'll need to hire crew and cast who are willing to work for the experience only, without pay. In the case of certain crew, like the DP and Editor, I'm thinking it would be best to hire people who have their own equipment and are willing to use it for this job. In any case, where are some good places to recruit people who are willing to work under such an arrangement? I see this site has a section to post such notices; what other popular resources are there?

Also, I wanted to see if I could entice aspiring talent from various film and art schools also for work on this film, but I'm not really sure who specifically to contact at those schools.

Please advise. Thanks.
 
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Can't speak with much certainty for the US but I think you should try Craigslist and Mandy.com

If you're asking people to bring their own equipment then you better be nice ;) It's always good to have at least a nominal fee to cover the equivalent of equipment rental.
 
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Craigslist for sure. Just be prepared to get a few nasty remarks since you aren't paying. Also, I wouldn't advertise it "for experience", just be up front about pay and surely someone will answer. Especially in NY.

Remember, you always get what you pay for. Lot's of people that commit to free projects flake. Can't be mad about it, just move on.
 
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Craigslist took down my ad in Film & Television and stated that "cattle calls" were a violation of the TOS. I was looking for 2 actors, no pay, credit only & free lunch.

I appealed it and lost.
 
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NickClapper said:
Can't speak with much certainty for the US but I think you should try Craigslist and Mandy.com

If you're asking people to bring their own equipment then you better be nice ;) It's always good to have at least a nominal fee to cover the equivalent of equipment rental.
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I suppose Craigslist never really hurt anyone. I've never tried Mandy.com.

Fortunately, I'm always nice to people, especially if I'm asking them to work without pay. :) But, I would be willing to pay something for the use of their equipment.
 
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PaulGriffith said:
Craigslist for sure. Just be prepared to get a few nasty remarks since you aren't paying. Also, I wouldn't advertise it "for experience", just be up front about pay and surely someone will answer. Especially in NY.

Remember, you always get what you pay for. Lot's of people that commit to free projects flake. Can't be mad about it, just move on.
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Yes, I understand that the lower the monetary compensation the higher the frequency of flakes, especially if they happen to come upon a paying job. But I'm sure there are also other people like me who are also just starting out in the profession and just want to gain a little work as a stepping stone toward more lucrative endeavors. It's a pretty straightforward short that won't take too much of people's time, relatively speaking.

I think students are more likely to fall into that category, so I was trying to find an effective way to reach out to them.
 
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Alcove Audio said:
You mean that you live in NYC - with NYU and Columbia, not to mention the thousands of other wanna-be filmmakers - and can't find one project for which you can volunteer?


http://www.mandy.com/1/jobs3.cfm?v=44746329

http://www.mandy.com/1/jobs3.cfm?v=44743340

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/tfr/2501345739.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/tfr/2498963193.html

http://www.meetup.com/find/?keyword...null:40.7143528:-74.0059731&op=search&events=
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Thanks, Alcove, for those links, especially the ones at the mandy and meetup sites. I'll definitely look further into those sites.
 
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