Offering a part Vs. Inviting for auditioning

[The_Blue_Baron]

I'm on development of a Period Fictional Biography film and I'm right now trying to tie top talent to the project before approaching producers and investors as a way of a hook. For filmmakers that have gone this route, do you offer the main roles to actors that you only know by their work and popularity or do you invite the actors you want to an audition to see who actually would be the best fit for the roles?

Thank you kindly!

 

[mlesemann]

I used a casting director, and we offered some roles to people whose work I (and she) knew. That was a definite minority of the roles, though - everyone else was auditioned to see who would be best.

 

[The_Blue_Baron]

I used a casting director, and we offered some roles to people whose work I (and she) knew. That was a definite minority of the roles, though - everyone else was auditioned to see who would be best.

Don't you get Casting Directors on board when you're already on Pre-Production? Once you already have the funds secure and you can at least cover Pre-Prod costs? I doubt a Casting Director would work with me in development stage when the film is a thought and the screenplay is still fresh.

 

[Cracker Funk]

Don't you get Casting Directors on board when you're already on Pre-Production? Once you already have the funds secure and you can at least cover Pre-Prod costs? I doubt a Casting Director would work with me in development stage when the film is a thought and the screenplay is still fresh.

Yeah, mlesemann was just sharing her experiences, which I think are very different from what you're looking to do.

I haven't done what you're trying to do, but I've met a person or two who's been involved with that kind of thing, and my general understanding is that you need to find a way to make a friendship with one of those name actors that you want to attract. You can't just send them a script and hope they read it. You first have to give them a reason to read it, and that likely will come via a personal relationship.

There are plenty of smaller indie movies that have legitimate B-list actors. Many of these movies have a difficult time finding distribution, and one of the ways that they try to get distribution is via the festival circuit. Often times, some of the more visible cast members are present at said festival. Sometimes they might be willing to chat up a friendly producer who has an idea for a movie they'd like to attach said star to, in order to secure funding. Sometimes they just want to be left alone.

I don't know, I've never tried it, not planning on trying it. That's kinda just what I heard through the grapevine (half of which is just stuff I've read online). Either way, I wish you the best!