One

ussinners

ussinners

I've taken more steps then most to secure that only the proper actresses audition for the lead in my next movie.

I can not pay them, and there's nudity involved.

So, whoever replied to my notices first received a long e-mail explaining how we work. How, there's only three people in the crew; DP - Director - Boom Guy (seriously that's it). Then I explain the role and the nudity. If that didn't scare them off, they needed to read the script. Because 2 years ago the script scared off the actresses I offered the role to. They loved the script. But, couldn't imagine doing the whole third act.

So, I have a nice size group, that after everything, is still willing to audition. Most seem excited about it.

I decided to take them in small groups. My idea was 5 or 6, but someone suggested to give them each a little more time. So, I went with 4 in one hour. 12pm - 1pm today.

12pm I'm set to see my first. 12: 15 still ready to see my first. 12:30 one person would be nice.

What are the chances that everyone would not show up? What are the chances that if only one shows up, they'll be good enough?

Thankfully, my 12:40 shows up. This was the girl I really wanted to have it. She has that beautiful mid-western girl look built right in. She wasn't good. She was great. She put all the little dialogue nuances in the proper place. Her expressions were dead on. I didn't have to give her one note or ask her to redo anything.

What could have been a complete waste of time, turned out to kick ass.

I still have another set of auditions to hold. But, everyone is going to have to be above their A-game to compete with this actress.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Yeah, actors are flaky, especially when no pay is involved. We tried to space our audition out once... LOT's of waiting around. Now I double and triple book for 5 minutes apart even if the audition takes closer to 10. I think the longest one actor had to wait was 15 minutes, much less than other auditions.

Glad to hear your "one" went well!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I didn't pay anybody on my first film, but I paid the lead acress $100 a day (half rate for rehearsal/table reads) in my second film for this very reason. When money is involved, even a nominal amount of money, people act more "professional".
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
The more experienced and serious an actor is, it seems, the fewer problems they have with issues like nudity, deferred pay, etc. As a director, you are being auditioned (by serious actors) as much as you are auditioning them. An experienced actor can readily tell when a director has the chops, versus one who is a hack or flake. If you've got the goods, they want to work with you because one never knows who you might become.

I've required nudity in both of my most recent features and offered no up front pay. The actors who had a problem with it just didn't audition, plain and simple. But we handled the auditions in a professional manner, which put those who did at ease and, like you, I was able to choose from some very experienced and creative talent.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top