When do actors get to read the entire script?

[Oller Visuals]

I've just made short films so far and I usually hand out the script like candy to anyone interested (well, almost).

But how does it work in the real world? When actors turn up on castings, they just know the pitch/add for the role they are going to play? Is it similar to casting commercials, just a short description of requirements and what they look for?

Also curious about the practical stuff, like "you need to be fit, speak this particular accent & there's also a nude scene..." is this just written down in some kind of character description? At what point do the actors normally get to read most of the script?

 

[hscully]

You give out the script when you have cast the role. Casting is initiated with breakdowns and sides. Breakdowns are the character descriptions. Here's one I wrote for the short I'm shooting:

[Lenny] (Male 55 - 65) Fueled by greed, a warped sense of justice and his own penchant for trouble, he stands off against Beverly, a bookie who, he feels, has duped him. (Supporting)

You will give your actor "sides" which are pages in the script that they will use for their audition, usually just a page or two from one scene. When they come to audition, it is a courtesy for the casting director to afford the actor the chance to ask questions relevant to the sides for clarification.

If there is nudity it is your responsibility to say that in the breakdown. Your instinct to fill out the breakdown is correct, for instance to say that there are fight scenes or stunts.

 

[DLD]

If it's a legitimate star (aka A-list actor/actress), then s/he gets the script whenever his agents talk him/her into reading it. In other words, it needs to be agent-approved.

The supporting cast may read their parts slightly before the audition.

Sitcoms have table reads, though the cast gets to see their parts slightly earlier.

Soaps have early morning reads and often the actors just have to take it from there. If something was freshly rewritten, they usually have a teleprompter to fall back on, as there aren't many takes, should they blow a line or two. The positive side there is that actors know their roles really well.

 

[dave12781]

Never. Only let them know what they need to know. If you're directing then maintain control of your project by withholding the important overall information and reveal to them what they need to know when they need to know it.

 

[karma17]

Agree with hscully and DLD. For a low-budget independent film, the actors usually only get sides to start and what they need for their part. They don't need the whole script, just their parts.

However, if you are producing a major film and want top talent, then the actors want to see the whole script to be sure the project is right for them.