Anything Goes : How do you know when to put your foot down? by Natalie Villa

Keep trying. Unless you're paying and have it in their contract that they have to finish by a certain date or they owe you money. You really don't have any leverage over them. I know it's frustrating. Even when you pay actors they don't do what they agreed to do.

I second that. It's unfortunate and very frustrating, but these are the "dues" we all pay to make our films starting out, and also like Lucifer said, even when their being paid and under contract, they need wrangling. This is not behavior of actor's in general, nor exclusively. I've had to babysit a crew personnel until the AD could replace them. lol It's hard for many actors to find paying gigs so when one turns up, I couldn't really ask someone to give up paying work for my project. On the other hand, when I take a free job for an indie, or even a student film, I'm committed. Even if a paying gig comes up, I have to decline. I look at it as professional courtesy. This doesn't happen often. Do what you can to work through this to get this film shot and in the can. Next time, discus the issue with anyone you hire and let them know, that you're willing to bend over backwards for them as long as they can bend some back. If you've made so many compromises for him already, then it sounds like he needs a lesson in work ethics and doesn't deserve to work on your film, but then I don't know his situation. Do what you can diplomatically to get through this. If you a lot more to shoot, definitely have a talk with him about the time that everyone else on your shoot has volunteered and he's holding their lives up to help you get this film made. Maybe he just needs perspective. Good luck and happy shooting! ;)

As an Actress and Musician, I have always used the philosophy of 'first booked ALWAYS has priority'. I have even missed later opportunities, because I was already committed to something else!! Unlike many, I HAVE integrity, and, once I have given my word, I do not pull back from it, except once when a Family emergency happened, and I had to inform a AD that I could not attend 2 days of filming. BUT this is a rare case! In one situation, I even missed a callback at the Dorothy Chandler, because I had committed the date a month before.

Both feet on the ground, but head up in the air.

Thank you guys for all the feedback! I appreciate it. I was starting to think I was crazy dealing with all of this. I will take your advice and suggestions and definitely deal with this issue. Made me feel much better :)

I know someone in town doing a short and she had to change the actor for a role three times and reshoot those scenes. I did a feature and paid my people well and I still had an actor who decided not to go to work one day. I've decided it best to have a contract for them that states unless there's a circumstance beyond one's control, and they don't show up, then they are personally liable for time and money lost. If they don't want to sign it, they don't have to be in it. Enough of people being unaccountable on a shoot.

If he got a paid gig, he has to take it. Yours isn't for pay. Yes it's frustrating for you. But try to understand he has to pay his bills. Figure out the next time everyone can meet and work. It's part of the nature when you're hiring for free.

Well, looks like even actors from previous posts, generally won't abandon their gigs at the cost of time and possible expense of everyone else. It's not just the producer effected - it's a crew and other cast that have committed their time and work to get things done. An actor and producer have to be clear about the whole thing up front such as the actor saying, "if I get a paid gig I have to take it." Then it's up to the producer to sign that person on or not. That's only fair. You know how they say the ones at the top are the nicest ones to deal with? That's because they were also nice at the bottom and referred to other filmmakers on their way up. And a paying gig doesn't necessarily mean it was the best thing for their career, either. A low-no budget great piece is better than a project that's awful. Sure, everyone has to pay the bills but from the post we don't know what financial position the performer is in to begin with. And remember - the poster had already changed her schedule MULTIPLE times for this guy - this is why she wondered "when to put her foot down."

I usually split the shooting schedule into 3 ways. Schedule where main actors are required. Schedule 2 where other actors shots could be done without the lead actors. Schedule 3 for cut aways if no actors are present. Depending on the situation I would go with plan B or C. there are 21 more options upto plan Z :). All the best

Bravo, Kevin, beautifully written, and I fully support you and Natalie. No matter what level the project is, once you 'give your word' to accept the position, it should be your priority, or WHY take it in the first place!?! If they have any experience, they will know that there may be further commitment beyond the initial shoot: ADR, re - shoots, whatever. Obviously, this Actor should have never taken the role, if he had NO intent to complete it!! That is just my two cents from my Professional belief and experience, and I hope it assists you in this instance. Best wishes for making a firm re - shot date and having a seamless post! >^.,.^<

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will definitely speak with him and let him know that we need to get this done. Thank you all and its helpful that many of you feel like me and have experienced some sort of issue like this. I guess it's a good learning opportunity! :)

Boom goes the dynamite!!

Well two things come to mind here though. First off we haven't heard how long between shoots the production has taken. So many "low/no budget" take weeks in between or only shoot on weekends. So to blame an actor or any crew for not being able to show up when they get a paid gig is ridiculous. Yes I take the philosophy of "first come - first serve" when it comes to work. And I don't walk away even if I get a better paying gig if I've signed up for a job already. But I will make it clear that there is a set amount of time or the production and it needs to be in stone when wrap date is. After that I become a free agent and will only work if I'm not getting paid elsewhere or paid for another contracted time on that shoot. If your not paying anyone then you cannot expect them to be indentured to you for any reason; art or not. Yes, they've made a commitment to you verbally, but that does not constitute a binding agreement. Over all my personal advice is either reschedule or drop the scene and move on to another project where you have contracts and a strictly set schedule.

Let me tell you, I've had written contracts - and if someone wants to break them, they will. Doesn't matter who's right at that point - the whole production suffers. But what actors have to realize is whatever crap you pull on a project it will stay with you. People talk. This is why a lot of performers never make it. They get a bad reputation. We all know that's true with celebrities who were so hard to deal with they never got hired in the best projects after their unprofessional behavior.

Brian, " I have changed dates multiple times for him ..." There's no mention in her post about keeping people on forever. Natalie is looking to do some pickup shots - she got everyone to AGREE, including this actor, to do them on a certain date and her performer split. I've made some features but I'm primarily a writer. I can't imagine giving the green light for someone to shoot my script in the hopes of a back end deal and then someone else comes along and says, "Hey! I'll pay you X amount for that script right now," and then pull the story from the original production? In other words, kill the production. By not being professional in action this actor is effectively doing the same thing. Again, there's nothing in Natalie's post about keeping people on forever so their indentured servitudes as you put it. And I see in your bio on stage32.com that you're a Key Grip. So I don't know if you're talking from a crew, producing or performing perspective.

I don't see how it makes a difference that I'm speaking for any particular role in the production. We are a business, and it requires that everyone that signs up to do the work actually does their fair share. That includes the producers tote PA. I speak of course not knowing how long the producers of this show have been working on the project. The posting speaks to me of a very small to no budget production and that usually says that they are trying to save money by spreading it out iver time to allow for people that have other jobs and work weeks. Of course I don't know all the situation. However, even in large budget productions a "pick up" schedule means a big deal to the budget as well as problems with all the crew. So you generally either cut it out completely or you pay a hefty sum for the talent. As I stated, if good faith was put into this project by the actor in question to get the film done in the slotted production time. Then why should that actor be faulted for taking other work outside the allotted production time? Unless they signed a contract that allowed for a never ending production.

Oh yes, I still need to fill out all of my details but I haven't because I'm working a lot. And I need to upload everything on a base computer an not in my phone.