Actors for low budget films

Stan,

I understand what you are saying and have those same concerns. Its just that I don't feel that anything I am working on right now is worthy of people other than friends on the cast and crew. The film I am working on now I am hoping to show in my University's theatre. Probably off of a laptop as I have no way to transfer the digital files to film for the projector. Its just my first film and i've never really done anything like it but I want it to be great all at the same time. I've built my own crane, dolly and now working on my own 35mm adapter. I'm working with an HV30 with a wide angle and an xlr preamp with a $200 AT condensor with a paint pole boom pole with a set of head phones.

Well I dunno.. How did you guys do it when you first started off?

Huy Vu said:
Just bought it from Amazon for $.01, will give it a read.
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You got the last $0.01 one!
 
Hi Terry...I don't want to harp on it...I sincerely admire your energy, but to answer your question, I got the very best cast I could for my first film because the actors bring something to the artistic process...that was my point...if you deny yourself any other part of the artistic process, then you limit how much you will learn...the actors will teach you something...if the are legitimately good. You need to be able to recognize a good actor though. My first film won best screenplay, best actress and best in show...nothing for anything technical...it was a SAG feature shot for under 5000 and beat out a $2mill film with Eric Roberts for top honors...the content is the most important thing and the content is limited when a script is being interpreted by untrained artists. God help you if the script is challenged too...the content requires just as much dedication if not more than you are pouring into the equipment ...I didn't even have a dolly.
 
You say you're in school, does your school have a theater or performing arts department? Do you have any friends in the program? Friends of friends? If you don't you probably should start making some.

The Majority of the cast for the Majority of the films I've worked on have been friends, but they've also been actors. Someone whose personality fits that part and has at least dabbled in acting is a good bet.
 
Barry_Green said:
A "real person" who can be exactly themselves, can work.

A "real person" who's trying to act? That's a full-fledged disaster. You need an actor for that.

There was a book, I can't remember the author's name, but he was a reporter or something and he'd read all about Rodriguez' $7,000 movie and he set out to make an even cheaper film. He failed, his cost about $30,000 IIRC and it didn't go anywhere, but what I remember most was how upset he'd get whenever "acting" would break out on his set. He wanted the folks to be themselves, not to try to "act"!

But a real actor, man, that's worth gold. Which is why the top actors get so much gold... :thumbsup:
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Hmmm.....maybe I need to write a book. Because I just made a feature-length movie -- 'Tangled Web' -- for just over $1,000.

As for the subject of this thread, never assume you can't get 'real' actors interested. Always try. I've made 3 shorts and 2 features -- all on miniscule budgets. Every one of them had 'real' actors. Good ones. All of them worked on deferred pay and paid their own travel expenses, with some coming from as far as 3,000 miles away.

Inexperienced actors can ruin a good script. Good actors can overcome a weak script. Always hire the best, most talented, best trained and most experienced person you can afford for every job on your production. And don't assume 'real' talent won't be willing to work on your film.
 
Terry, as someone who works on both sides of the camera, right and left, no wait, I mean in front and behind, I noticed something in your original post. You said you were going to be filling a lot of the production roles yourself. Why? The same approach you are being advised on getting actors, is nearly the same approach to getting behind the camera talent.

I know it would be an amazing feat to be able to do all of it yourself, but there are lots of talented people that would be willing to help, if you have a good product. There are many talented technicians, ops, production staff, out there that are trying to build up their reel and would do the job for copy/credit.

Don't sell yourself short, but on the otherhand, don't think you can do it all yourself, either. Something will end up giving out. You or the production.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread of "Actors for low budget films".

I audition for/take on roles for free still. I love the indie film venue. Especially if it is a role I know or feel I can handle (action/stunts/etc.). Just recently, I was "blown up" in an Indie film, both for real and in the storyline (long painful story). Acting is a passion I have, and I am good (that's not conceit, folks, just knowing my abilities). But am I the next Matt Damon or Tom Hanks? I hope so, but the odds say "no". Would I like to get paid (really paid) for it, sure, but that's not going to happen anytime soon or at least regularly. So, in that "copy/credit" situation, we (the director and myself) have a more intimate relationship, I want primo footage for my reel, you want a stellar performance. I know, I am going to give everything for you, and I hope you will do the same for me. It's a win-win for both of us.

Though I have had situation where I give an amazing torture/beating scene, where I am the victim, but the final footage/editing left a lot to be desired. I am disappointed with what happened. I had a lot of hopes for that footage. So, what I said above is really important, from the actor's standpoint. Get good help.
 
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Terry

For the sake of argument....I, and many others like me have done feature film and indie and more than once...a 1st time student film. I have worked for free to help a new film maker out and I am not the only one.

We do it for many reasons....

1) most of us started with indie or working for free to build our resume and it is a way to give back and mentor!

2) who knows...maybe once the new film person gets beyond thinking they are an Island unto themselves they may turn in to the next Rodriguez or Spielberg.

3) indie and student projects often give an actor a chance to play roles they don't normally get cast in (i.e. Jack Daniel Stanley casting me as a victim when I normally played nothing but hard edge roles...and dag nab it he got the best out of me too)

So...even though you might think the project is not worthy of real actors...you might want to remember that the project is worth more than non-actors who might goof it up. Maybe you get lucky and it works out without actors but I really think you are underestimating trained actors...or maybe it is over estimating them really. not sure...
 
Doc Bernard said:
but the final footage/editing left a lot to be desired. I am disappointed with what happened. I had a lot of hopes for that footage.
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doc...i had one of those...did an indie film where i was the female lead and very excited to get the footage. problem was...the leading man was not a strong actor. i had my dailies and they looked really good with only a few bad takes. when the project was edited...they used all my bad takes.

i was like...say what? but in the long run...i think they did it so the guy would not look too weak since all my scenes were with him.

oh well...still don't use that footage on any reel because of it!
 
Me too, I was slated as a lead in the film, which made me feel pretty good. I gave the performance of my life, being a torture victim and in the end, killing the antagonist in spite of the torture (cutting off a finger and a thumb, and I advised how to do it. I am already missing those digits, so the trick was to make everyone assume I had them already). I was exhausted leaving the set that day, practically crawled to the car. I think, without the greenscreen complexity, it would have turned out decent. But it was what it was, and though disappointed, I learned a new aspect of myself as an actor, pain/terror that turns to stoicism. In that alone, I consider my experience on that set of value, as this was a direction I wasn't expecting, and had to "ad-lib". Defiant blood spews onto the camera, primal pain, etc.

Exact what I planned as to the reel, unfortunately. Lesson learned on that one. It was a green screen job, and he said he was very versed in it, and worked at a VFX house. Took it on trust, but the end result left much to be desired. Even I could have improved the result with what I know, but at that point, why bother? He would have been insulted, and I would of spent way more on time this than needed. And diluted my credit.

But overall, I learned and gained some needed experience, so not exactly a loss in my book.

Terry, see what Michelle and I are talking about? As actors, we look at the final result. We give you what we think you are asking for and are directed to do. Then we wait for the result of what we give you. We give what you want, and wait for the final cut. It is a give and take situation. We give 100% or more, and expect the same from the production staff. And if we give what is expected, and if the final result is, well, less than expected, as actors, WE are disappointed, as we gave all, and the production didn't live up to it's end/expectations.

Which is another reason to bring in more behind the camera talent. You alone doing Lighting, Props, Make-up, Sound, Production, Castng, SFX, VFX, GE Dept., Script Sup., etc., is not going to make your film good, it will make it an exercise in futility, and unfortunately develop you a rep as a "flake" or as a "hack". You will will quickly learn you cannot do it all and make a good product. Find people willing to help! For God's sake, swallow some pride and post on a free site such as craig's list or mandy. Having your name plastered on every credit out there will not assist you in the creation of your project. More than likely it will hinder you. Hell, I have worked on projects where I can be listed in 5-7 different credits, and my advice to the EP, give me the the top two, and make up fake names for the rest, I'll know they are my credits..

I realize, I might sound rough or crass, and I have been accused of that in the past on another site, but my intentions are purely genuine, I have nothing to gain here. My goal, if I can assist in a small way, is to put the Major Motion Picture Industry on its ear. If it takes me giving away my tricks, secrets, and intuition, then what little I have to offer is yours.

But without asking, I have no idea ( and I think many of feel the same way) what you want to know. Acting is the same way cam ops are, at least in my way of thinking. It's somewhat instinct, and somewhat technique.
 
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Okay, here's what I see. Based on everyone I have worked with in film (many productions), it is now 2:47 in the AM (pst) my time, with no response to four other posters. Which tells me volumes. To you, this is a hobby. Not an opportunity of a career. People are trying to help you. But Friday nights are on your "Do Not Call List". Sorry to have bothered. I thought you might be as serious as I am, or everyone else trying to help..

But that is just me. I have just waited until 5am for advice and responses, for projects I am working on. I guess it boils down to dedication and perserverance and a willingness to get the job done.

Sorry if my approach may seem extreme, but I look at this as more than a lark or a hobby. I look at film as a business.

I am regularly up to 5 am my time planning, prepping, and getting things ready for set. I can always sleep afterwards.
 
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stan harrington said:
Hi Terry...I don't want to harp on it...I sincerely admire your energy, but to answer your question, I got the very best cast I could for my first film because the actors bring something to the artistic process...that was my point...if you deny yourself any other part of the artistic process, then you limit how much you will learn...the actors will teach you something...if the are legitimately good. You need to be able to recognize a good actor though.
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I find that I am paying more attention to the technical aspects of the film making process rather than the artistic, not realizing that film making is an art.


My first film won best screenplay, best actress and best in show...nothing for anything technical...it was a SAG feature shot for under 5000 and beat out a $2mill film with Eric Roberts for top honors...the content is the most important thing and the content is limited when a script is being interpreted by untrained artists. God help you if the script is challenged too...the content requires just as much dedication if not more than you are pouring into the equipment ...I didn't even have a dolly.
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See thats great, your first film had an entention, mine are more like "look what I did" films. I don't really know how to get envolved in something bigger than just making a film and trying to get my work out there, of course other than film festivals..
 
You just have to make your movie Terry. Do what you can with what you have. In the end you will have something tangible so to speak, something to show and you will have learned a lot along the way. That "look what I did" film you spoke about. But hopefully in the future it'll be the "look what we did" film and you will have achieved that storytelling vision you had in your minds eye alongside the people that helped make it happen.
 
Doc Bernard said:
Okay, here's what I see. Based on everyone I have worked with in film (many productions), it is now 2:47 in the AM (pst) my time, with no response to four other posters. Which tells me volumes. To you, this is a hobby. Not an opportunity of a career. People are trying to help you. But Friday nights are on your "Do Not Call List". Sorry to have bothered. I thought you might be as serious as I am, or everyone else trying to help..

But that is just me. I have just waited until 5am for advice and responses, for projects I am working on. I guess it boils down to dedication and perserverance and a willingness to get the job done.

Sorry if my approach may seem extreme, but I look at this as more than a lark or a hobby. I look at film as a business.

I am regularly up to 5 am my time planning, prepping, and getting things ready for set. I can always sleep afterwards.
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Well let me start here. I have no experience in film what so ever. I am not in film school. I am an anthropology major who for the last 3 years have been working as an archaeologist. I am a guy trying to figure out how to make films. My origional post was to express my understanding of how I would put my film together in respect to the actors. There is absolutely no one that I know who is in any way working in any sort of entertainment business. I am learning all of this as I go. I have friends who "want" to make a film but never lift a finger to do so. I am the sole person in this project, therefore I am out constantly trying to secure what I think it takes to make this happen. But thats the thing, I don't know what it takes, i've never had experience in it. So I've been reading, reading and reading. Everywhere I go I have a book related to film making in my hand. I am here in this forum as well as DVInfo constantly reading posts when I get behind a computer. But I don't always have time to sit and type.

Now. I am very thankful that so many people have been participating in this discussion. I am glad that I could attract so many professionals to their computers to type to someone they don't even know in hopes that their wisdom in the screen trade will help that person.

Everyone's comments have been greatly considered and to reflect that, I have been on campus all morning trying to locate actors willing to partake in an indipendent film. That is something I haden't even considered to take the time to do. However, now that the importance of having trained actors play the roll of the characters in the script have been explained by so many people working in the industry, I understand the importance of that aspect and how not having actors could be detrimental. My thinking was more or less guided by a lack of confidence due to a lack of experience.

I still don't know how I am going to pull this off. All I know now is that without actors this film will more than likely fail at its message.
 
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Terry, let me tell you my story.

I had never done anything in the film community before I made my first short film. I wrote and produced it, but knew I wasn't qualified to direct. So I need to find a good crew and a good cast.

Keep in mind that I was nobody. Had no experience, no track record, didn't even know anybody in the film business here. (Charlotte, NC) Nobody knew me from Adam.

Undaunted, I put notices on the location forums for actors and crew. Said I was producing a short (30 min) drama intended for film festivals. Told what I was looking for as far as cast and crew.

At this point I should mention that I owned nothing -- no camera, no lights, no sound gear. Nothing. Hadn't even USED anything before. I was as green as green can be.

But I had a pretty good script. Not great, but good.

The response to my post was, to say the least, overwhelming. I ended up with good actors -- some of whom traveled from as far away as Atlanta, at their own expense. (There was no pay for this job, only meals, credit and copy.) And I got a director who drove all the way up from Orlando, FL -- bringing his 2 cameras, tripods and lighting gear with him. (All of which he provided for free.)

Even with no background, no credentials, and no references, I was able to get a decent cast and crew to come on their own dime and work for nothing but food.

So if you've got a decent script, then don't underestimate your chances. Stop looking for whoever is 'willing' to work on your film. Find the online forums for the pro actors and crewpeople in your area, and post your production notice. You've got nothing to lose. And, like me, you just may be surprised at the quality of the people you'll get.

Good luck!
 
I'm an actor who just happens to love filmmaking. I'll let you guys know that the best people to work with are the people you believe in and whose projects you believe in. I haven't been paid as an actor since last December but I've done films and plays since then and because I believed in the people I was with and their stories I was simply happy to be a part of the process.

Acting to me is so much more about giving a good performance, it's really about collaboration with everyone you're working with.
 
I'm a new Actor starting out and like he said, if you treated me good I would be glad to work for free for the Reel and Experience/Networking.

Huy Vu said:
The thing is, it's actually not that difficult to find committed actors who will work for free. Don't assume that they're not passionate about their craft just because they're not getting paid; they wouldn't be actors otherwise! There are many actors starting out who are looking to build a reel and/or get some experiences and they'll gladly donate their time for free and work their asses off as long as you treat them well. This means good food on set, a supportive working environment, a copy of the film and if you can afford it, a token stipend. Look into local casting network and hold auditions and you'll be surprised who'll turn up.
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I know this is kind of a dead thread, or so it seems. But I just wanted to chime in and see.. much like Chapelgrovefilms I too am completely green to film making, and have gone even a step further by doing a feature film. I knew I had no directing experience, so like chapel I started trying to build a team. I started making local contacts first.. and guess what? Those people put me in contact with more people.. and so on. I now had a director, a cinematographer, a sound/boom guy, a special effects guy, a special effects makeup person, two makeup artists, ALL my locations, a very nice muscle car that we need for some shots, Law enforcement cars and cooperation, An ambulance, and a slew of professional actors emailing me left and right wanting to work on my film.

Guess what the pay is? Thats right. Copy/Meals/credit. The thing is, I've been professional with everything I have done thus far. I've made sure everyone knew what to expect ahead of time, and I've made my project a BIG deal.. by acting like it is. I've got a Hollywood makeup artist who has extensive credits to her name wanting to work on my project. Why in the world would she want to do that? And for nothing? Like others have stated.. its because "I" believe in my project so much.. that the virus spreads and they see that, and want to be apart of that. Its been overwhelming but so awesome at the same time. I can't wait to get more involved. I've already learned alot and we aren't even rolling yet!
 
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