Should I hire out of town, and the actors drive in, and I pay for it?

[harmonica44]

It's hard to find enough acting choices in my city. I considered moving to the bigger city, Vancouver, but a DP I met who is working with me on things, said don't do Vancouver, cause in Vancouver you always have to pay for costly permits where ever you shoot, if it's a movie production. Even if a friend let's you use his or her house, you still legally have to pay. Where I live you can use a place for free, if the owner let's you. So I was thinking I could hire out of town, to cities, within a six hour drive radius. I know it's a drag, but it's hard to find enough actors all the same city, so I figure you gotta combine cities.

A lot of the actors will have other jobs, so it's a six our drive, then 12 hours of shooting and prep, then another 6 hour drive home, and back to your other job the next day. So you won't get sleep but hopefully they will do it, if they like the movie and are being contracted and paid. What do you think? A lot of adds are hiring out of town I've noticed, so maybe this is normal?

 

[Alcove Audio]

You can always do the reverse - you go to where the actors are. Your hotel bill will most probably be less than paying the expenses of a whole bunch of actors coming to you...

 

[Alcove Audio]

BTW...


Where's the damned short you've been promising for over a year? Finish one project, then worry about the next one!

 

[jax_rox]

If you're paying actors and/or accomodating them then quite a lot will do it especially if they like the script, the movie, and you as a Director.

If you're not paying or accomodating them, then you'll probably be out of luck.

I also find it hard to believe that you have to pay for a film permit on a private property.

 

[JoshL]

Finish one project, then worry about the next one!

Seconding this. At some point you have to learn to call it a wrap. Even if it's not perfect...especially if it's not perfect. If you don't learn to do that now, everything you do will take you years.

 

[harmonica44]

Well earlier this year I got kicked off the location cause the owner who promised it to us, has not been paying the power bills, and got the location taken away from him therefore. So I have not been able to finish that first short. Plus the main actor moved away, so I couldn't finish. Otherwise I would have finished and shown it. But I am working on other projects now, for other people. If they put one on youtube, and let me, I will definitely show it.

I will research it but I that's what I was told. I guess it sounds like the Vancouver film industry's way of driving out the indie competition or something, maybe. I could drive out to where the actor's are for sure, but not all the actors will live in the same town or city, and we will probably all have to pick a location where we can all meet at, so it's still a drive for most of them probably.

 

[Zensteve]

I also find it hard to believe that you have to pay for a film permit on a private property.

It's quite possible. It's that way in many US cities, as well.

Placentia CA, for example :

23.92.020 - Permit—Required.

(a) No person shall use any city street, alley, sidewalk, park, or other public property owned or controlled by the city for the purpose of making commercial films without first applying for and receiving a permit from the city administrator or his/her designee, provided that the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or be construed to affect (1) news media and (2) filming solely for private-family use.

(b) No person shall use any private property for the purpose of making commercial films without first applying for and receiving a permit from the city administrator or his/her designee, provided that the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or be construed to affect (1) news media and (2) filming solely for private-family use.

http://search.municode.com/html/16559/level2/T23_C23.92.html#T23_C23.92_23.92.020

There's a lot of other cities in Orange County with similar restrictions. Other nearby cities refuse to grant film permits to companies renting warehouses or commercial space for soundstages/locations unless the lease has already been in effect for 6 months or longer. I was making a list of OC city locations earlier this year, and encountered a surprising amount of restrictions on private properties.

Now, I dunno about H44's particular situation in Canada (he tends to be a little... yeah) in particular, but it's not impossible by any stretch.

 

[GuerrillaAngel]

H44, move to Vancouver. You'll be able to PA on somebody's set and cut the question asking in here.

 

[harmonica44]

If I move I got no money for future movies then. I would have to just drive there and live out of my car for a weekend. So if someone is doing a set where they want help then I'll go.

 

[mus]

in regards to your short... why dont you post what IS finished? just let us know what didnt get finished

 

[Jeff Troiano]

Us

If I move I got no money for future movies then. I would have to just drive there and live out of my car for a weekend. So if someone is doing a set where they want help then I'll go.

Just wanted to point out to H44, that you often ask a question of whether you should do this or that. Then when someone gives you their option on whether you should do A or B you seem to come up with every reason why you can't to this or that. You asked if you should move, someone says move. Then you say if you move you won't have money. Why ask the question if you're only going to shoot down the response with excuse?

 

[harmonica44]

Well I didn't anticipate that that would be the response given to me. I already pointed out why I can't move, so I didn't anticipate that someone would then tell me to move after having said that. I don't mean to do it, I just feel that I'm looking for better alternatives, if there are any. There is no reason to move there though now. I can't afford it cause it will eat my budget, and you can't film without permits, so there's not really much reason for it really it seems now. When I said I was going to move there before, I did not mean move move, I just meant literally live out of my car while I shoot the movie.

 

[Sweetie]

Have you considered writing a script that doesn't require a lot of actors/acting so you can get your first done? Or just work with what's available in your local area.

It might be more within your reach. It'll probably be healthier on your wallet too.

 

[harmonica44]

Well I want to go with the plot I have that is my strongest and that will move audiences and hold their attention the most likely. That script just so happens to have about 30 main characters in it. I think it will be worth it if possible. Two actors I know read the treatment and said they really thought it's good, and they said they are in. So that's a start hopefully. I've gone to a couple of local film festivals, and I can already point out most film's problems. There is not enough going on. The plot's just simply aren't big enough. So I thought I'd go with my best idea for a microbudget, cause if I go with an idea with not much going on, like those movies, than I would be making a movie that would even have a lesser time getting noticed or remembered.

Every location should be available where I live, accept for a particular one I want for where we (me and a crew), and some of the actors would have to do some traveling. But if I can't get that one, that I can find something here hopefully. But there is just not enough actors here. Even for a small cast there is not a lot to choose from and would like more.