Non paid actors usually suck

[Blaine]

A lot of people can make a feature. Not everyone can sell one, though. There are a lot of variables that go into a successful distribution. Name actors. How good is your story? Name actors. How good does your movie look? Name actors.

The first question a distributor is going to ask is: Who's in it? If you don't have a name they can sell, you sure as hell better have SOMETHING they can sell...a remarkably original story...

 

[Kingswell]

Why don't you attend some acting school productions? They generally have productions open to the public in the Summer time. Maybe you'll see someone who has some talent, who would be willing to do some work for free.

 

[Kevin McElroy]

so i aspire to make a major movie, but really who pays attention to no name actors unless you got some names like tom hanks etc. my concern is a great script, sound,editing, lighting but no one would recognize so and so

I don't mean any disrespect, but this sounds like the attitude of "filmmakers" that end their journey before they even start. If this is a legitimate concern, the REAL question you should be asking is who would invest money into a no-name director? Also, like someone else stated in an earlier post, I think you are confusing non-paid actors with friends or acquaintances; huge difference. Take a step back to square one and just realize you have to work hard from the bottom in order to get to the top, there are no shortcuts to having quality results. With that being said, a good director can make a bad actor look great, and a bad director can make a good actor look terrible. Cheers :beer:

 

[Mattykins]

If your movie stands on a crutch of a big name, you have bigger problems to worry about than than your actors.

This is said so often with "filmmakers". It is a huge point. Having a name helps a sale. If a film is okay and has zero recognizable people - forget about it. If it is okay and has some of the cast from Lost, you might get something domestically or internationally.

Names make a huge difference. Name for me films that did well (make their money back, have a theatrical run) with zero names. Discounting Slumdog.

If you were going to invest several hundred thousand into a project and didn't have a name, I would tell you your story had better be unbelievably good.

Making a feature and making a feature that can sell are two entirely separate entities.

 

[Steffo]

When you´re filming with non-experienced actors, you as a director have to make small changes in the script, so that the characters fits them who are acting. Unless you want a movie that sucks!