Would A listers act in short films if you pay enough?

Saharanturtle

Saharanturtle

Active member
And how much do you guys/gals think an A lister like kierra knightley would charge for a one day or two day short shoot?
 
Honestly, if you can convince an A-lister to be in your film and have the money for a 1-2 day rate...you shouldn't be shooting a short in my opinion.

I know it doesn't really answer your question, but I think it depends on the talent/current reputation - I'm leaning toward 'no' though.

Kegan
 
Um, I have to beg to differ. I am working a project right now (acting and armoring). A short. With an A list actor attached, met with him and talked for a bit. I don't know what he is being paid. But, he is the Lead on it. So.......It can be done.
 
It's a matter of who you know. Many big actors are not above doing smaller projects, especially if they know or believe in the artist. But if you have absolutely zero connections with the person, you'll find it really hard to get them to pay you attention. This isn't because they are stuck up or elitist. It's because every one and their mom is trying to get them into their film or short. These are also really busy, real people... with other commitments to attend to. So they don't have lots of free time to do small projects.

I've seen some big stars do some smaller works. It's not easy and it's always because of a connection. Look at Funny or Die... lots of HUGE names in comedy doing shorts that are all extremely low budget. They all work together because they know each other and respect each others work.
 
What's the budget on that project Doc? Give or take? There's one of two scenarios there really...

1) A list actor is a friend or there's a personal connection

2) They're actually paying the day rate

I guess there's a third, totally out there option being that they're working for a reduced rate and that there's no personal connection...but again, it brings me back to my original point - if you can afford it or have access to an A-lister, why use it in a short?

Kegan
 
Again not sure on the money involved. But I know the actor has a personal attraction to the project. Something that "spoke" to him about the script. And to me as well, hence my involvement.

As to the other why.......I am not at liberty to say (NDA).........but there is a future for this short.
 
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People should never make assumptions about things. Always ask! It makes possibilities available which could never be by not asking.
 
craigbowman said:
People should never make assumptions about things. Always ask! It makes possibilities available which could never be by not asking.
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Excuse the language but F'ing a-right!

What is the harm in asking? A declination? Ouch, cancel the film. Not really, but if you never ask, you guarantee no A-lister will ever get involved. And if they do decline, so what. You now know how to contact that actor/actress. That is actually tougher than it sounds. And it is not from a Craigslist ad. And since you have approached the summit, asking B/C listers is SOOOOO much easier. LOL!

As to the comment of why use an "A-lister" in a short:

Well, if you don't have the money for a feature, and plan to use the short as a "pitch" to get the budget for a feature...... that's why. Especially if they are in love with the script.
 
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Just to bring up another point that it doesn't look like anyone's mentioned, getting past the agent. Even the secretaries are trained to weed out of the dreamers, and the agents themselves aren't likely to want their client doing a small short that won't do anything for their name, status, or even the agents pocket book.

I think that's why the shorts always come down to "who you know".
 
If an A-lister is in a short film, money is not a consideration. An exception may be the BMW film series as those were partially commercials, but they also had big name directors.
 
Keira Knightly did appear in a short movie recently, called 'Steve' along with Colin Firth. Charlie Sheen just appeared in a short movie in the last month or so.
So it does happen.
 
Hi this is Chuck Norris. I will act in any of you guys movies, I don't want any payment except for some Cherry Dr Pepper, a steak dinner and a copy of the latest PlayBoy.
 
You're asking the wrong people. If you have the budget, hire and casting director and tell him who you're after. He'll do the work for you. Most people here hire their grandmother's hair stylist to be in their no-budget films and have no clue what the answer is.
 
You probably won't ever get an A-lister, unless you are related to them, or have comprimising pictures. It also helps if the actor knows you from working on a set in another capacity. But just a random solicitation off the street is unlikely. Maybe a B or C lister. I knew a guy who met Peter Greene in a bar once and they shared some drinks. He asked him later if he'd take a role in his short film, and he did it, for nothing.
 
This question will also have different answers in different countries. Where I live a lot of "A lister" in our country do shorts and low budget indie films. ;-)
 
teddybear said:
This question will also have different answers in different countries. Where I live a lot of "A lister" in our country do shorts and low budget indie films. ;-)
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I think we're all assuming he means Hollywood A-Lister's. In a country with a smaller film community, yes, things might be different. But getting Tom Cruise to act in your short film? Highly unlikely. It might not even be desirable. They would probably put in their contract that if the film doesn't meet their approval, they can block the film from being released.
 
Though slightly off topic,

Some hollywood producers/directors now find doing films in 3rd world countries a better way to stretch their dollars.
John Sayles just finished a movie on my Island a few Months ago and got several "A listers" from my country to act in his film with "not so A listers" from hollywood . Its titled "AMIGO" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1562847/

Also an accomplished american Landscape photographer Tim Fitzharris dabbled in film making and did his first feature on my Island and stretched his budget, he also got local "A-lists" to cameo in his film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1658022/

:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

I told John how glad I was someone in Hollywood finally made a story about that forgotten time my Country was also invaded and colonized by U.S.
 
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i was just in a movie with winona rider for a day extra

since i am being blacklisted was in restaurant scene free
i am sure if you have something appealing you can attract actors

some people even a listers sometimes are not top choices for corporations
winona rider i guess even james franco is in it its called the stare low budget
i am in 2 unions both secretly being joined and am blacklisted for knowing stuff
 
simonpwood said:
Keira Knightly did appear in a short movie recently, called 'Steve' along with Colin Firth. Charlie Sheen just appeared in a short movie in the last month or so.
So it does happen.
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Keira is actually in several short films - at least 5 that I know of, including "Steve" (which, BTW, was directed by Rupert Friend, which is probably the main reason Colin and Keira are in it). I watched one short film a while back just out of curiosity because Keira was in it - IIRC, it was just a guy bicycling through the countryside and Keira was running on foot and they passed and he crashed. It was kinda weird.

But like Ryan and others said, it really comes down to who you know. I think there's a chance you can get an A-lister in your short film without knowing them, IF you have an absolutely amazing story and you're incredibly persistent and don't mind dogging it for 5 years until the perfect opportunity comes up. Other than that, focus on the projects you can do now and you'll work your way up to the point where you can (hopefully) get A-listers involved.
 
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