Auditions

siniarch

siniarch

Veteran
Ok, I'm aware that getting people to commit to act in a Short Independent Film without any Pay will probably be a little difficult.

I just recently posted in Craig's List and on the Jobs section of this forum.
So far no replies. I will be shot on HVX with 35mm adapter on HD with hopes to submit to festivals of course.

I thought I'd ask some of you who have done this in the past, what is the best way to go about doing this.

I am looking for a Latino female early late 20s early 30s for 2 maybe 3 days of shooting.
And the though one, a Latino boy 7-10 who can run around and kick a soccer ball, for 4 maybe 5 days of shooting.

Copy, Credit & Meals provided.

Any help, advice, or referrals would be greatly appreciated.
 
I got a really good response on mandy.com. Over 30 replies in the first day. You can try there and its free as well.
 
Actors are easy, every film I have done I have had actors falling over themselves to get a part and I live in the middle of Ohio. Craigslist and Mandy are good starts, but if that doesn't get you exactly what you are looking for then look to local theater companies. Since you are in LA, there are also plenty of actors training classes and workshops where you can met talent.
 
Thanks mr.blue. I did call a school that specializes in kids, and spoke to the professor. He said he would forward the info to his students, but he thought he only had one that matched the character. I'll keep looking.

If anyone is in LA and can direct me to websites of acting training classes, and/or phone numbers, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks you.
 
Hey Luis, I'm about to head off to work right now so I can't reply at the moment... I"ll post some info as soon as I get the chance...
 
I'm in NYC. But, a few years ago I did a short and had hundreds of actors send in their headshots. It was for a 2 day shoot - meals, credit, copy only. I hired a Casting Director (well worth it) for a few hundred dollars. She put an add in Backstage and we had a great response. It's worth it to consider hiring a casting director because they can deal with posting ads, receiving/sorting headshots, setting up audition times, finding an audition space and helping to coordinate the actual audition. I was very happy to pay a minimal amount for the convenience and help with a very important part of the film. something to think about...
 
thanks tumbleweed.
I can't afford a Casting Director but I'm sure its worth every penny. So finally decided to bite the bullet an pay for the add in Backstage. Hope I get some replies.
But I'm also going to contact acting teachers and maybe theather co.
Thanks everyone for their help. I'll keep you posted.
 
So TommyinLA get the credit on this one. I place an add on Sunday with www.breakdownexpress.com and it posted today. I already received 10 relevant replies.

I actually was at that site before, but their submitting process leaves a lot to be desired. I wasn't able to figure it out the first time.

But when Tommy recommended it, I gave it another shot.
Its kind of weird. but you can submit through breakdownexpress to actorsaccess.com for free.

NOW I have another Question.

If I'm doing a non-union short, are there any issues with SAG actors coming to the auditions and acting on a no-budget Short?
Do they have to ask permission with SAG?
And if they do, is it hard to get?

Thank you.
 
Pay for the ad? Dude, you need to get yourself on breakdownservices.com, and post a free ad. State all your criteria and you will be overwhelmed with response from actors with resumes and headhsots available online. They have a tool that allows you to schedule auditions and you never have to pick up a phone.

click on breakdown express and then click post a breakdown. All the zillions of actors on Actor's access will get it. And there are zillions.

Limit the days the breakdown runs. I ran one for 3 days (no pay) and got over 1000 submissions, all with headshots, resumes, and some even had reels.

Ditch craigslist, mandy and those others. They are for real losers who can't pay to have their resumes on Actor's access. It is free for a producer to post a breakdown, but the actor subscribes to it.
 
Guess I was too late on that one....to answer your next question.....SAG actors cannot act in a non union pic. It is Rule 1.....

still, some will. But they shouldn't and could be reprimanded. They cannot ask for permission as it will not be given.
 
Yeah Taormina,
That's what I've been finding out. I don't think I'll get 1000 submissions, but yes, I've been getting a much better rely there than anywhere else.
Thanks.
Any thought on how to handle SAG actors?
Thanks.
 
Hey Luis, did you get my message regarding Breakdown Services?

As far as SAG is concerned - if you use SAG actors, make sure that you are using the SAG short contract.
 
hahah I was late on the second one.
really? I could have swore that they could ask for permission if it there was no budget at all? (maybe it was if it was a student film?)
 
Yeah. Thanks Tommy. I didn't figure it out first. but after you suggested it, I gave it another try.
Thanks its working better than anything.
 
You should have no problem finding tons of actors in L.A. who are not only willing, but generally EXPECT, to work for free. On a short, a couple days' work, no problem at all.

Get on Actors' Access, get on NowCasting... you'll have a zillion responses in no time (and now entirely new problems to deal with).

As for your SAG question: yeah, that will be an issue. SAG actors who are serious aren't going to want to work on your short. Some of them will be willing to break the rules, sometimes under an assumed name, but you really need to be upfront with them and ask right away so you're not wasting everyone's time. Most of these casting sites will ask you before you post whether your project is SAG.

It might be worth the effort to become a SAG signatory. It's free for shorts until you sell/turn a profit, at which point you have to retro-actively pay. But that's common sense.

Another note, just in case you didn't know: it's illegal (or at least considered highly questionable) to do casting sessions in your home (or anyone's home). You need to find a commercial space to do them.

Finally... really read up on the rules for working with kids. There are a lot of them and you can get in real trouble if anyone decides to bring up the issue.
 
thanks dougspice.

I did not know anything about not being able to use a residential place. I actually was approached at Nordstrom by a casting director who was casting for a Toyota commercial. she had her own agency and ran it from her home (garage) so when I went for the audition, we interviewed in her backyard?

I have a home office, and was thinking of setting it up there. I would of course set it up very professionally. My living room is set up as a reception room (in case my clients come in) my dining room is an office. (computers and desk) and one of my bedrooms is set up with a table and some lights with backdrop (for the auditions. (more professional than this lady I went to audition for)

Is it really illegal? I'd like to know. I'm trying to avoid doing anything that could get me in trouble. But I also have NO budget.
 
dougspice said:
You should have no problem finding tons of actors in L.A. who are not only willing, but generally EXPECT, to work for free. On a short, a couple days' work, no problem at all.
Click to expand...

That's true... it's called working for copy and credit. It's basically to allow them to build up an acting real for casting purposes. Of course, after a while, good actors won't bother with non-paying gigs if they've already got enough material on their acting reel...

Get on Actors' Access, get on NowCasting... you'll have a zillion responses in no time (and now entirely new problems to deal with).

As for your SAG question: yeah, that will be an issue. SAG actors who are serious aren't going to want to work on your short. Some of them will be willing to break the rules, sometimes under an assumed name, but you really need to be upfront with them and ask right away so you're not wasting everyone's time. Most of these casting sites will ask you before you post whether your project is SAG.

It might be worth the effort to become a SAG signatory. It's free for shorts until you sell/turn a profit, at which point you have to retro-actively pay. But that's common sense.
Click to expand...
With the new SagIndie stuff, this is no longer an issue. Check out www.sagindie.org for details on the short film contracts.

Another note, just in case you didn't know: it's illegal (or at least considered highly questionable) to do casting sessions in your home (or anyone's home). You need to find a commercial space to do them.
Click to expand...

Well, for SAG, probably... but for non-union you can do whatever you want, really.

Finally... really read up on the rules for working with kids. There are a lot of them and you can get in real trouble if anyone decides to bring up the issue.
Click to expand...
Most notably, you'll need a set teacher to be on the set. Here's a link with more info on the child actor stuff:

http://www.minorcon.org/index.html
 
tommyinla said:
With the new SagIndie stuff, this is no longer an issue. Check out www.sagindie.org for details on the short film contracts.
Click to expand...

We're talking about the same thing. That's what I meant by becoming a signatory. However, it's not exactly "no longer an issue". There is a lot of work that has to go into filling out their paperwork, keeping timesheets for actors on set. Also, if I remember correctly, you have to prove worker's comp insurance. And I believe having this contract obligates you to use SAG on all projects for a year, or something to that effect.

Whatever, just make sure you read the fine print.
 
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