I live in a town with next to no film culture. I want to cast working actors, but I don't know any around here that will fit the bill. I really can't afford to pay anyone either.
Filmmaking / Directing : I want to cast actual actors, but it's a small town. by Justin Andrew Watson
I want to cast actual actors, but it's a small town.
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Do you within a few hours drive to a city or a University with a Performing Arts/Drama dept? Many good actors are still students and would be willing to work for the demo reel you could provide!
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What Lisa said. And if there are no actors... write for the people you have access to. The lead character in ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 was some non actor dude in the apartment building Carpenter lived in who had a unique way of speaking.
Hey Justin, this is Beth from the Stage 32 team. I just wanted to let you know I moved your post from Screenwriting to Development, as it fits much better there. Also, perhaps post your needs in the Jobs section -- you can easily give information; clarify if it's paid or not. Or, take a look at the Meetups section as well. Perhaps consider organizing a Stage 32 Meetup in your area. It's a great way to meet potential collaborators. Let me know if you have any questions, and all the best to you!
Beth: Thank you for your help! I will definitely do that. I'll take Lisa's advice, if nothing else. Question: This is my first film, would it be really douchebag-ish if I hold auditions?
"Douchebag-ish?" Lol! I don't think so... Holding an audition of some kind seems reasonable, even if your resources are limited. I guess it depends on how you pursue your project. As Lisa suggested, if you approach a performing arts school for talent, perhaps you could hold some sort of audition there; work with the school in some way. :)
Yikes. Justin you're going to find it really hard to have good acting in a small town when you're not paying anything. I think you'd be much better off tailoring your script around whatever people you do find. Unless your script is downright genius, the minute audiences see amateurish actors they'll turn it off in a second. Just being real. If I was in a small town, I'd hold auditions for people who want to be in a film, and I'd take the 3 most interesting and available characters that showed up and write a script custom-made for them.
You live in a small town take advantage of what that offers a cast and crew who have to travel there. What's in it for them? If the town has a hotel would they be willing to provide accommodation for free? They may well have times when they know they will not be at full capacity that they would gladly let you use in exchange for the publicity you could generate. Look at every opportunity to get something for free in exchange for publicity. And importantly use the key influencers in your town to help twist arms to get the whole town behind you. If you end up with a three day shoot and a four day "holiday' where cast and crew are treated like VIPs wherever they go as the offer. Then you will get your professionals, after all who could resist that.
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I think Dave has a really good point, you should do that, I would do that, you definitely should have auditions even if there's no pay for the actors, and you will find some people that might fit your story and you'll have to rewrite the script for them to fit in the story. It's been done before and it has worked great. Watch the film Kids of director Larry Clark
Rafael: I think that's what I'm going to do, just go to a college and pass out audition flyers.
You could also put an ad in a newspaper so you get people from other places in the city
It will be fun Justin and you'll be able to choose well and rewrite your script
You'd be surprised at how many willing thespians there might be in your little town wanting to be part of a production... send out a notice of auditions!