How much footage would you give an actor for a demo reel?

I'm not saying this because I think it is the answer, in fact, I have no experience working in films with actors who want footage for reels, but why not give them a copy of the final project? I am curious myself if there is some standard, and a reason for the standard.
 
They don't want to wait for the final cut. I'm thinking about giving a very good actress footage not going into the final cut because of diva problems, we had to cut one actress for trying to make up her own hours. So, I have a couple of scenes that are throw aways. Rather than throw them away, give footage of a good actress with 2 others from a scene that has to be cut out because it connects to nothing now for her demo reel.

Would others agree?
 
No. You have your own interests to protect and she sounds like she's still being a diva. If there was nothing dates specific in the contract, do what's best to protect your project which doesn't include an early release of cut scenes. Once she has it, consider it public and you have no control of where it's seen or in what context it will presented.

Remember, nice guys finish lunch. ;)
 
I know who Modern Myth is referring to. I worked with her during the 1st -I CREATOR, she was a lot different then. I then met her again at last years NY COMIC CON. It's hard to believe she is a such a diva now. Thing was I think where she moved to had a major influence on her and that's why she's acting the way she is. I would just give her footage and make her sign an agreement stating that is for her SOLE PURPOSE only. She is not to show it to ANYONE without Modern Myth's permission. She is a good actress despite the diva. Hopefully this is just a phase she is going through.

I'M SOOOO NOT to have ANY DIVA'S when my film starts soon. Nov/Dec. The audition process is going to be grueling I've told auditioners be prepared to stay a while cause they will be going through a number of procedures, not just readings. but it's worth it to find the one's who are hungry for it and those who are just B.S.
 
She wants all of her raw footage for her demo reel. I did promise her something. So, I'm considering a thow away scene that will not be in the production at all.

I can't make it clearer than that.
 
Never give up your RAW footage. And absolutely not unless you are ready for it to be seen by the public at large. Once it's out of your hands it can be on YouTube tomorrow.

The one studio picture I worked on, we did not receive our visual effects shots for our demo reel until after the theatrical run, hell it might've been after the DVD release for all I remember. It made it useless to get our next gig, but it eventually got on our reels. That's just how it works. Your first priority is the picture. Thank your actors gratuitously, but your can't sacrifice your project for their immediate demands because you risk jeapordizing the work of not just yourself but everyone else who gave to your project.

And absolutely nothing raw. No raw green screen, no unedited scenes.
 
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No on raw footage. Give her :30 seconds -- you cut. Make her sign a "leave me alone waiver" before you give her the footage.

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck.
 
From the actor's POV, if you're working for low money, or no money, on a project and your main compensation for the work is footage for your reel, you do want to get your hands on something as quickly as possible, especially if you think it's going to look good on your reel.

Everyone else gets paid during production or close to wrap - actors wait weeks, months - we sometimes never get our footage. Those who have been burned enough times learn to ask for footage as quickly as possible.

I think I remember Mike saying that post-production would not get finished until after his next tax return, which is months away.

Just pointing these things out, because everyone seems to be acting like the actress is a horrible person for wanting her payment in a timely fashion.

gelder

EDIT: Just checked my resume - I have five projects that I did not get footage from where footage was to be my sole compensation.
 
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That is a reasonable point of view, Steve, but she was fired for being unreliable. What she offered to the film was nothing but a complete waste of time. That said, an actor that was cooperative should get any favor you can give them as a token of appreciation and respect.

Seeing as she was asked to leave, taking the risk of potential sour grapes in what she might do with her footage isn't worth the risk to me. That's where I was coming from. MDM also has a responsibility to the cast and crew to defend their interest.

Sorry you were gypped of your footage; that is just wrong when it happens to one of the good guys. Cheers!
 
Cant jou give her the footage with some text 50% optical edit in that says: Demo Fotage? I dont want to watch footage wit some text on jou tube....but the actor may like this.
 
Actually, she wasn't fired. She was on of the best talents in the production. She filmed some extra scenes that was suppose to lead up to a big fight scene that never got filmed because another girl who was a diva making her own hours and interrupting me when we were filming got fired.

Since the actress asking is one of the best, I am considering giving her a 30 second piece of edited footage that doesn't give much away.

I keep telling the cast to be patient and to wait for the final cut because the final cut is going to NATPE where talent agencies, TV studioes, investors, and distributors all will see them. Raw footage and seeing too much of the rough cut will only cheapen the final cut later.

I need my tax refund to complete the post. So, yes, they have to wait.

CamVader made a valid point about losing control of the footage, giving it away before it is ready.
 
Steve's point is solid and I understand the actor's frustration. This one or any other. I have an actor on my last project that has pushed for a scene he performed in, for a long time. Unable to give him footage because of spoilers in the scene he is asking for I have done my best to go above and beyond compensating him in the meantime - even loaned him a spare Final Cut system to edit a project of his own for a year. He will be getting a full DVD soon along with all of the other actors. As much as I feel for him with the delay, I have to prioritize the film and so does Myth.
 
The only thing I'll add is in response to you not wanting the footage to 'spoil' the film for the investors at NATPE.

I just don't think there's any likelihood that said investors are going to see this actress' reel. So I wouldn't worry about it.
 
CamVader said:
Sorry you were gypped of your footage; that is just wrong when it happens to one of the good guys. Cheers!
Click to expand...

Thanks, Cam, but not a big deal - I would love to have a couple of them, because the footage I saw during shooting looked great. But, that's what you happens sometimes in the creative world...projects can't always get through post.

If you could total up all the money spent on projects that never get finished, I wonder how much it would be?

gelder
 
I just wish the actors would be patient and wait for the final cut. I saw 3 actresses get signed on by talent agents at NATPE. That can do some real good for the talented ones. Agents go to NATPE too in search of new clients.
 
I'm thinking of bring her an edited 34 second clip and a version where the audio needs work and let her listen with headphones as to why it is unwise to ask for raw footage.

Later on, next year when I'm up to color correction, the footage she is getting now will look different. But, that's what she gets for not waiting.

I need more for several software packages, including Magic Bullet and the sci-fi special effects pack from the tapetube web site. Also, when a 3D animator gets through with the scenes to be made from scratch, 3D backgrounds for greenscreen scenes, and cgi gets completed, the film will take on a new look.
 
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