If you had a $2 Mil casting budget...

Are there any recent public lists out there that show actors salaries for recent films,
other than the current mega stars?

It would be interesting to see the going day rate for actors that are actually accessible.
 
thisisapocalypse said:
You haven't told us anything at all about what the lead roles are in the film aside from their gender. Who are the characters? What do they want? What do they do? To give a casting suggestion without knowing anything at all about the roles is quite difficult.
Click to expand...

We are planning on writing the script once we have an idea of who we are casting. It may be a bit upside down to most hereabouts but that's a model that works for us on such low budget projects - Find the talent then build the story around something that comes naturally to them.

Rippie said:
Are there any recent public lists out there that show actors salaries for recent films,
other than the current mega stars?

It would be interesting to see the going day rate for actors that are actually accessible.
Click to expand...

+1

Yeah, that would be nice!
 
Wilbur Eddings said:
We are planning on writing the script once we have an idea of who we are casting. It may be a bit upside down to most hereabouts but that's a model that works for us on such low budget projects - Find the talent then build the story around something that comes naturally to them.
Click to expand...

First thing if I was an actors agent...
do you have proof of funds...
are you signatory with SAG...
are you making my client an offer or will you make then one...
what's your track record...

Of course I have no clue what films you done... just like you have no clue about me... but these are things agents will want to know.... if you're talking to known talent... which I'm sure if you're talking about

You could break this down several ways... cameos with known actors... for example send an offer for Denis Quaid... 500k... 1 week... then fill the rest of the cast with some
up and comers...

Sounds like you need a casting agent...

I haven't seen it in a while can't remember if it was the Hollywood Reporter.. but they used to have
a special issue of star ratings... or get a copy of last years Variety on the AFM and you might see recurring actors who are minor actors but will help you in the sell of your film...

You also have to remember that there are those who are big in Europe but will only get you a minor release in the USA on the big screen.... but remember overseas sales is half your profits... on average...
 
GaryinCalifornia said:
First thing if I was an actors agent...
do you have proof of funds...
are you signatory with SAG...
are you making my client an offer or will you make then one...
what's your track record...

Of course I have no clue what films you done... just like you have no clue about me... but these are things agents will want to know.... if you're talking to known talent... which I'm sure if you're talking about

You could break this down several ways... cameos with known actors... for example send an offer for Denis Quaid... 500k... 1 week... then fill the rest of the cast with some
up and comers...

Sounds like you need a casting agent...

I haven't seen it in a while can't remember if it was the Hollywood Reporter.. but they used to have
a special issue of star ratings... or get a copy of last years Variety on the AFM and you might see recurring actors who are minor actors but will help you in the sell of your film...

You also have to remember that there are those who are big in Europe but will only get you a minor release in the USA on the big screen.... but remember overseas sales is half your profits... on average...
Click to expand...

Thanks, very handy!

I like that Dennis Quaid idea!

Only bit in your post we don't have is the SAG membership.
This will be our first international venture so I would really like to have my thoughts together before I let some overseas casting director rip me a new one but yeah, definitely want to do that when we are ready to rock!

Thanks again, that Dennis Quaid idea sparked off some fireworks in my head!
 
Having worked with these guys last year. Bobby Cannavale, Melanie Lanskey or Amy Ryan with Paul Giamatti as a character acter.... You can have my son as a comedy teen....
 
I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to come late to the party.

$6 million is a tricky budget, it is too high for a Direct to Video project, but on the other hand too low to be considered for a wide theatrical release.

I think you would be safer with a budget much lower than that.

Secondly, pretty much none of the actors mentioned in this thread are nowhere near worth $2 million, most of them have absolutely no value to any distributor.

There aren't that many names anymore that can secure you pre-sales. You have to contact sales agents and distributors and inquire them on who they can pre-sell a movie with.
Also, most of the name actors at this level can not carry a movie on their own. You need at least 3-4 strong names.

An actor doesn't get paid based on his or her's acting talent, nor the fact that they are well known, only for the fact that they are sellable.
There are a whole lot of well known actors that were considered A-list only a few years ago that have absolutely minimal value in today's market.

Where are you producing the movie? If you film it in a place like Louisiana you can save 25-30% through tax incentives.
Also roughly 50% of the budget should come from pre-sales based on the names you have attached. Because if you can't pre-sell your movie you are not going to sell it after it's finished either.

If you really are working with a $6 million budget, you should put away at least $4 million for cast. With that money you can attract higher calibre names, like Bruce Willis. Of course you should never spend any money for an actor unless you know they are worth it.

That being said, it is really risky to make an art movie like you said with a $6 million budget. The stuff that sells worldwide at this level is Action/thriller etc. Also if the movie is focused on a sport like Nascar, that's really risky too. For Example Nascar is huge in America, but in Europe Formula 1 rules.
Even with big names that can be a problem for many buyers around the world.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top