Finding A or B actors? Hunt them down on IMBD best method? Call agencies?

I know a B-list actor who did a short film for free.

He had starred in the directors indie film which made good money and so he didn't have a problem with it. And it didn't win the festival but it was a very funny short.
 
Check out Dov Simens WebFilmSchool DVD set:

http://www.webfilmschool.com/dvd.htm

He covers a great deal in it, including the exact kinds of questions you're asking here. It's $395, but you could probably find a used copy somewhere (maybe here in the marketplace forum). Even at full price it's well worth it IMO.
 
Dov's film school is actually a lot of pretty good info. I took the school in person several years ago, and also bought it on cassette tape.

I also recommend Dov's book -- "From Reel To Deal". It's got a lot of the same info as the school, but is much cheaper. :)
 
Curiously, IMDB shows the budget as $150,000 -- while Box Office Mojo shows the 'production budget' as $1.5 million. The way numbers are fudged in Hollywood, it's anyone's guess.
 
Okay guys help.

Okay guys help.

Okay if you guys could help me out on this one.

So I got in touch with the agent of the actor. They want me to send the script, shooting dates, and compensation.

He has came out in several independent films recently,

But, I am afraid to send the script, I don't want anyone to steal it, especially because that actor is kind of a director himself.

What should I do, should I send the script?
 
If you're at the stage of finding actors, you should have the screenplay registered and/or officially copyrighted by now. You can't just not send an actor your screenplay if you want him/her in your film. No one will commit to an unknown project having not read the screenplay.
 
1. Nothing is ever fully safe. It's very easy to modify an idea and make it your own. People have been doing it since the very idea of storytelling was created. It's the nature of things.

2. I don't know. I've never registered anything with the WGA before.

I guess it comes down to your decision. Either you send this person the screenplay and hopefully get him/her to sign on, or you don't and they don't. You can't keep the script hidden forever. Eventually people have to read it, especially if you're trying to get actors/crew/funding. The screenplay is the movie right now, so you have to use it to sell it. Don't worry so much about someone stealing your idea and worry more about getting your film made.
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
This quote is taken from the "Director's Statement" on the official website for November...

"...we only had $150,000, 15 days, and a mini-DV camera with which to shoot the film..."

http://www.sonyclassics.com/november/
Click to expand...

hmmm. i need to check my sources again. i found the cc salary quote a few days ago, but if i remember correctly the total budget was somewhere between $300K and $500K. that's going off memory from the production notes i read a few years back. i'll see if i can find them again. maybe the $150K was shooting budget on top of her salary?
 
Clint Nitkiewiz Hernandez said:
Okay if you guys could help me out on this one.

So I got in touch with the agent of the actor. They want me to send the script, shooting dates, and compensation.

He has came out in several independent films recently,

But, I am afraid to send the script, I don't want anyone to steal it, especially because that actor is kind of a director himself.

What should I do, should I send the script?
Click to expand...

hey man. i commend your f-u i'm gonna do this regardless spirit, but i have to ask.

you think you're going to shoot a flick that you say will be in 2000+ theaters, potentially with name actors making $100 or nothing per day. you find your actor, his agent says he'll read the script, and you're afraid to send it to him? come on dude.

this thread is either a joke, or you're related coppola or someone else big who's pulling strings for you. which is it?
 
http://indiefestusa.bside.com/2008/films/soyouwantmichaelmadsen_indiefestusa2008

Here's a link to my documentary that answers most of the questions about securing name talent for low/no budget films...it screens next on 8/12 at 9:30pm at the amc theaters, downtown Disney...if you are in Oklahoma, sept 12th, and Hollywood second week of October...dates to be released soon...

I think you'll find it really informative as I interview the actual talent and ask them the questions, rather than talking to other filmmakers and getting their experiences (or war stories of their experiences) with such actors ...

here's a link to the trailer also...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zILNHYtSSFg

cheers,
stan the man
 
you think you're going to shoot a flick that you say will be in 2000+ theaters, potentially with name actors making $100 or nothing per day. you find your actor, his agent says he'll read the script, and you're afraid to send it to him? come on dude.

this thread is either a joke,
Click to expand...

Ditto.
 
I actually question wether you understand this industry or are taking all of us for a ride.

No names will work for a Pizza. No agents will rep their clients for 20 points on the pizza earned. Netting them a full .43% of a pizza. No agent will rep their client for a film without a script.

There are requests here all the time with how to make things happen. Not only did you try a total low-ball, with no ties at all with distribution - only perspective numbers based on what? A guess I assume?

Offering Pizza to A listers.
Not sending scripts to agents.

Do you even have a breakdown for shooting? Or are you going to tell them, weekends - whenever I can get my sound guy here on set. Maybe sometime around the end of the year? All I know is weekends.

You need to take a huge step back and try to figure this out again.
 
i'm really curious to who you contacted.

be sure to have the script registered.... althought i doubt an actor will steal your script. it's more like the major company and "friends" who would do it.

interesting website in your profile by the way.
 
Hey Stan your film looks like a lot of fun and really interesting how can we get a copy or where and when will it be released on dvd?

Also for anyone out there who might know the answer. What does a decent casting director cost? someone who can just pick up the phone and get to the A & B`s without a hitch. Do they charge an hourly rate or do they charge by the head? Do they want % for their work & contribution or whats the way they want to be compensated?

Lastly is the size of the budget the determining factor to their fee and do they make contracts that stipulate some sort of back end depending on profits or simply forecasts of potention profits?

Why I ask is because I am also in the process of putting something together and am poised and on the brink of head hunting talent for my cast and I havent decided whether to go through personal contacts and friends in the biz or to dish out to a proffesional casting director.

Thanks one and all for any feedback.
 
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