cost of unknown but talented actor ?

[Randall_Oelerich]

Thinking ahead a few years to making an indie feature, anybody care to speculate, or know, what it would likely cost per day to get a SAG actor with talent, experience (e.g. in several feature films), but who is yet relatively unknown?

[khmuse]

Thinking ahead a few years to making an indie feature, anybody care to speculate, or know, what it would likely cost per day to get a SAG actor with talent, experience (e.g. in several feature films), but who is yet relatively unknown?


The answer is very simple:

At a minimum, SAG scale for the budget that you are shooting.

Here is a great resource to get you started:

http://www.sagindie.org/resources/contracts/

[David W. Richardson]

It is possible to get a SAG actor to work for less than minimum, assuming your production is non-union. Here in NC (which is a right-to-work state), I've worked with a SAG actor or two on deferred pay. It can be done.

[teresadecher]

Thinking ahead a few years to making an indie feature, anybody care to speculate, or know, what it would likely cost per day to get a SAG actor with talent, experience (e.g. in several feature films), but who is yet relatively unknown?

There are also a lot of non-union talented actors out there that are more than happy to do something in exchange for credit and copy.

[Randall_Oelerich]

non-sag definitely talented also, I did not mean to say otherwise. My emphasis was that to put a name actor in a film would mean a sag actor by default, an actor who has been in some known movies, which would help draw viewers, DVD rentals, distributor deals, etc. Most of the actors in my indie feature film someday, if i ever get there, would be non-sag.


There are also a lot of non-union talented actors out there that are more than happy to do something in exchange for credit and copy.

[Kess]

You would be shocked to find out you can get great talent for SAG minimum...scale, because if the script is great they will do it for scale. They do the big blockbusters for dough and the small films for show. They want to be in a great small film...rich characters...great story...and they will work for scale. Name your actor and more than likely you can get them for little to nothing!

[Randall_Oelerich]

I am seeing that on a smaller scale with my script for my next (second) short film, a 15 minute psycho-horror-thriller; I approached an actress who has done a fair amount of horror film acting including a couple of horror features (B-films, but features none the less), and to my surprise she was blown away by my script and wants in on it because she loves the script so much. Going to film in Feb.


You would be shocked to find out you can get great talent for SAG minimum...scale, because if the script is great they will do it for scale. They do the big blockbusters for dough and the small films for show. They want to be in a great small film...rich characters...great story...and they will work for scale. Name your actor and more than likely you can get them for little to nothing!

[David W. Richardson]

Congratulations Randall! Getting any kind of name actor to do a short isn't easy. Your script must be amazing. Would love to read it!

Any chance you'll tell us who the actress is???

Best of luck!

[Michele Seidman]

I approached an actress who has done a fair amount of horror film acting including a couple of horror features (B-films, but features none the less), and to my surprise she was blown away by my script and wants in on it because she loves the script so much. Going to film in Feb.


kudos Randall

you can turn that in to extra funding to cover costs and for promotion!

[teresadecher]

non-sag definitely talented also, I did not mean to say otherwise. My emphasis was that to put a name actor in a film would mean a sag actor by default, an actor who has been in some known movies, which would help draw viewers, DVD rentals, distributor deals, etc. Most of the actors in my indie feature film someday, if i ever get there, would be non-sag.

Oh haha, now I understand. I just meant that if you didn't want to deal with SAG that you could always just go for non-union.

Good luck with your film!

[craigbowman]

I've been paying actors far more than minimum for years. $500/day non speaking or small part $1,000/day for more significant parts. Just more line items in the budget that as producer its my responsibility to raise the capital. Like all things, the more you practice and focus your energy the better you get at it.

Now I'm raising coin finally for a feature for myself and its just more of the same ol same ol with larger amounts involved.

[Nathyn]

non-sag definitely talented also, I did not mean to say otherwise. My emphasis was that to put a name actor in a film would mean a sag actor by default, an actor who has been in some known movies, which would help draw viewers, DVD rentals, distributor deals, etc. Most of the actors in my indie feature film someday, if i ever get there, would be non-sag.

You'd be surprised. I'm talking to an actress now that is a very well known B talent and has a huge following in the horror film world and she isn't SAG. She gets a lot of work (if you consider over a hundred fifty films a lot). And she is not SAG. And don't forget SAG-Core actors can do whatever the heck they want. Also what about your rogue SAG actors that're running around out there. As far as I know SAG can't do crap if you don't sign with SAG. I don't advocate this course of action but it's between the actor and them. You do have alternatives.


There are also a lot of non-union talented actors out there that are more than happy to do something in exchange for credit and copy.

If you were in Chicago I'd hire you for my film. :)


-Nate