Disguising an Actor's Demo as a Short Film

Knoxworth

Knoxworth

Well-known member
I recently shot a short film for my friend and mentor. The film's purpose was to get him a job by means of an online contest. I was not to be compensated. I knew that going in. No problems there.

The issue I have is that he is now using my skills as a filmmaker as leverage with colleagues. He's a live performer, and I think in order to strike it big with the ladies he is offering my services to them. The problem is that instead of encouraging them to pay for my services creating their reel, that instead he will produce a short film and I will be inspired to film it for them. For instance he pitched a movie idea to me starring this lady friend. As he described the idea I realized the impetus was to showcase one actress. In my experience this never results in a great film.

Hmmph.. Just thinking about it. There are social benefits for me to film this thing. I want to have more contacts in the local performance community. I want to get my name out there in the improv scene. But at the same time I want to be extremely careful not to devalue my talents. Why would I want to advertise for more non-paid jobs? The short answer is I do not.

Besides money, what have you demanded in these types of situation? I've thought about committing to the film ONLY if it adheres to the guidelines of the latest DVXuser contest. Or only if my name and contact are featured prominently at the end of the film. I joked with someone that I should demand 10 percent commission of all vaginal profit.

The problem is that he's disguising something commercial as art. That is what is going on here. And I think my friend and mentor is just trying to get laid. I know your advice will be "don't do it." That's not the kind of advice I need. I need creativity. I need that *perfectly ridiculous* demand that matches the ridiculous request. Ideas? Similar tales & mishaps?


Grazi.
 
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I guess it depends on what your goals are in your personal filmmaking, and how big your market is. Can you afford to blow off your buddy and the contacts he brings. Where will you be when you are ready to make your next big short or feature and need to ask everyone to work for free. If you are in a major market and want to make a business out of making demo reels... I don't know, my feeling is that actors at that stage would have less money than bands, at least bands generally have 4 members to split the bill.

If you've worked with this guy before and you are comfortable, then I would stay with it, just possibly help guide the productions in direction that it is worth your while. Instead of just one scene to showcase one talent, expand it a bit more, put in a girl that you might have a chance with. (or people you would like to use in future projects) You only get better with experience and you should make use of any opportunity as long as it doesn't interfere with paid work.

I backed away from a guy seemingly trying to do the same thing. He was trying to cast Hot girls in this crap short that he wrote, and looking for technical people to help in make it. He didn't take well to criticism of the script, and wouldn't prove what he already had in place, actors booked locations etc. He even boasted of having access to a RED (as long as I paid for the rental insurance, as if) When I didn't follow up he accused me of being unmotivated and unprofessional. I don't regret not working with him, as he wasn't a good actor and wouldn't use him in my stuff. But I'm in a small market and worry that this guy is tainting the pool of young actresses.
 
Does he have a fully developed script yet? I'm guessing not. I'd ask for that and when/if that happens ask for a table read with a few actors. If he goes thru those steps your decision should be easier to make. That might be a way not to alienate him and possibly produce a project worth working on.
 
dop: very good points. The market here is huge! If I blow this guy off there are tons of people to collaborate with. But I think I portrayed the fact that I really look up to him, and yes, just want to politely decline due to economic stress if anything. He's my teacher and friend, and he has more of my respect than anybody else right now. Hence.. why I needed ideas to keep the relationship productive.

lambert: Oh my God yes! Table read! Gives me tangible points to argue. If this girl is completely undirectable - HE will have to see it too. But for all we know she's a starlet waiting to be discovered. I do believe he's working on a 2nd draft. My main concern is the fact he says its 10 pages. I was really hoping for a 3 to 4 page film. Maybe this should be my main request. "I'd love to do it, but it's got to be 4 pages max. There are way too many setups and the production value would leave us with a film I won't be proud of."



Thanks guys! This is exactly what I needed!
 
Or tell him before the second draft it has to be in only 2-3 locations. You can do 10 pages in a weekend if they are all in the same room. (12 angry men, lifeboat, etc.)
 
My thought is the economy IS bad and declining for that reason is legit. However, so is asking to get costs and expenses covered for your friend and mentors 'projects'. I say you go do this table read and get a feel for it but let it be known you need some things covered financially. If your mentor is high enough up the chain he knows this. If not, then maybe you need to rethink your mentor!
 
Well he's a mentor in a different field. So.. you know. You're absolutely right about expenses. If I end up using equipment that costs thousands of dollars, and isn't totally paid off, they are damn well spending the 30 dollars on snacks and props. And fake blood.

amiright? :)
 
Bater. You do theses shorts, these actors have to be in your feature. Contract them. Everyone wins.

-Nate
 
yes... Nathyn is right... lol...
and you don't have to give them HD video files right ;)

just make sure the women don't get screwed around in this deal...
 
What's hilarious is that he has NEVER brought this up again. I'm putting my money on the girl dismissing him, or shacking up with someone else.
 
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