i'm a student filmmaker and i recently finished writing a feature-length screenplay and i need help with casting actors. DO i need some kind of licence in order to cast actors? Is there gonna be some "insurace" crap going to be involved because i was just gonna pick actors from the internet and email them (mostly teenage actors.) please help me out and tell me what i need in order to be able to cast actors that i haven't met before.
Casting actors
- Thread starter niceguy15
- Start date
Please help me!
Please help me!
i'm a student filmmaker and i recently finished writing a feature-length screenplay and i need help with casting actors. DO i need some kind of licence in order to cast actors? Is there gonna be some "insurace" crap going to be involved because i was just gonna pick actors from the internet and email them (mostly teenage actors.) please help me out and tell me what i need in order to be able to cast actors that i haven't met before. Thanks
Please help me!
i'm a student filmmaker and i recently finished writing a feature-length screenplay and i need help with casting actors. DO i need some kind of licence in order to cast actors? Is there gonna be some "insurace" crap going to be involved because i was just gonna pick actors from the internet and email them (mostly teenage actors.) please help me out and tell me what i need in order to be able to cast actors that i haven't met before. Thanks
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
your main issue will be whether or not they are in the Screen Actors Guild. this will require certain contracts depending on the scope of your project to ensure they get paid a minimum rate. anything feature length will be at least $100/day plus 14% toward the SAG pension fund.
start reading here... www.sag.org
then hire a casting director (a real one, not your buddy)
the alternative is to avoid SAG actors completely but, well, generally the talent pool is less... talented. that's not always true of course. there are massively skilled exceptions.
start reading here... www.sag.org
then hire a casting director (a real one, not your buddy)
the alternative is to avoid SAG actors completely but, well, generally the talent pool is less... talented. that's not always true of course. there are massively skilled exceptions.
BergVision
Well-known member
Also make sure if they are NOT 18 years old, you have a realse signed from their parents as well.
Kirk Gillock
Rebel with a cause
Since you're a student filmmaker and this is probably a low budget, first time, project then just find actors who will work for the experience (there's a lot in Seattle - I use to live there) and then have them sign a standard release form. Just make sure that if your film makes money that you share it with your actors/crew (and me too!).
Good luck!
Good luck!
Jim Brennan
VHS Member Old Skool
It really depends on how you approach it. Theoretically, whether you hire non-union or union actors you should get worker's comp insurance. But indie films like the one you are talking about rarely do.
When you say "teenage" do you mean under 18? If you do that you will need to get a form signed by a parent or guardian. You may also run into child welfare issues depending on how old they are regarding school. But usually you can find 18 plus actors that look a little younger, which saves you tons of trouble.
Next, one of the most important things is to have everyone sign a waiver allowing you to use their image, likeness and voice in perpetuity as it relates to the project. This not only gives you the rights, but keeps things running smooth if your project gets picked up by a distributor, as they will need to get Errors and Omissions insurance, which they won't get without the proper waivers signed (among other things like a clear chain of title and a clearance report)
Some of this seems like a bit much, but if you are hoping to amke a career out of this, the sooner you understand and embrace the business aspect of things, the easier it is.
Hope that helps.
When you say "teenage" do you mean under 18? If you do that you will need to get a form signed by a parent or guardian. You may also run into child welfare issues depending on how old they are regarding school. But usually you can find 18 plus actors that look a little younger, which saves you tons of trouble.
Next, one of the most important things is to have everyone sign a waiver allowing you to use their image, likeness and voice in perpetuity as it relates to the project. This not only gives you the rights, but keeps things running smooth if your project gets picked up by a distributor, as they will need to get Errors and Omissions insurance, which they won't get without the proper waivers signed (among other things like a clear chain of title and a clearance report)
Some of this seems like a bit much, but if you are hoping to amke a career out of this, the sooner you understand and embrace the business aspect of things, the easier it is.
Hope that helps.
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
perhaps a mod could merge these two threads? isaac?
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=94967
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=94967
Done. Thanks for the headsup. <SCOLDING> Niceguy, please don't crosspost. </SCOLDING> :costumed-smiley-047