how to find actors for a film i want to make. at DVinfo.net

Alfred Tomaszewski · June 21st, 2003, 12:17 PM

i am working on a 30 to 45 minute short movie and want ot know th ebest way to find actors to work for free. if anyone has any suggestions please tell me.

Mark Moore · June 21st, 2003, 12:23 PM

I would check with local colleges and their theatre departments. I have used local stage talent before and they are usually very accommodating - if the shooting schedule is a bit flexible (after all, they're working for free!).

Also if you have a "City-Arts" department, they could also help out and send out a casting email to their contacts.

However, you should be prepared to at least offer water/soft drinks, snacks and lunch for the free talent. It isn't a hard rule, but it is a nice gesture, especially if you want to use them again!

Good luck.

Andres Lucero · June 21st, 2003, 01:22 PM

Community theatres are a good place to start if you want to find people with acting experience. You may also want to contact your local newspapers and have them announce your casting call (some will do it for free in their "announcements" section, others may ask you to pay for a classified ad). Always specify gender and age range of your characters so you'll find people who are suitable for the role.

Marco Leavitt · June 21st, 2003, 11:10 PM

In my area there are so many budding filmmakers that the novelty is wearing off and its getting harder and harder to get people to audition blindly through classified ads. One of the best ways we've found to approach people is to attend screenings and festivals of as many local filmmakers as possible and write down the names of actors we like. Usually the actors will be right there in the audience and you can hit them up on the spot. If not, ask the filmmakers for ways to contact their actors. This works for crew members too.

June 21st, 2003, 12:17 PM	#1
Alfred Tomaszewski Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Shelby Twp., MI Posts: 112	how to find actors for a film i want to make. i am working on a 30 to 45 minute short movie and want ot know th ebest way to find actors to work for free. if anyone has any suggestions please tell me.

June 21st, 2003, 12:23 PM	#2
Mark Moore Major Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 301	I would check with local colleges and their theatre departments. I have used local stage talent before and they are usually very accommodating - if the shooting schedule is a bit flexible (after all, they're working for free!). Also if you have a "City-Arts" department, they could also help out and send out a casting email to their contacts. However, you should be prepared to at least offer water/soft drinks, snacks and lunch for the free talent. It isn't a hard rule, but it is a nice gesture, especially if you want to use them again! Good luck. __________________ Mark Moore Sugar Free Productions

June 21st, 2003, 01:22 PM	#3
Andres Lucero Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 75	Community theatres are a good place to start if you want to find people with acting experience. You may also want to contact your local newspapers and have them announce your casting call (some will do it for free in their "announcements" section, others may ask you to pay for a classified ad). Always specify gender and age range of your characters so you'll find people who are suitable for the role.

June 21st, 2003, 11:10 PM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	In my area there are so many budding filmmakers that the novelty is wearing off and its getting harder and harder to get people to audition blindly through classified ads. One of the best ways we've found to approach people is to attend screenings and festivals of as many local filmmakers as possible and write down the names of actors we like. Usually the actors will be right there in the audience and you can hit them up on the spot. If not, ask the filmmakers for ways to contact their actors. This works for crew members too.