The Complete Online Filmmaking Reference - Film Distribution ...

Casting actors
Casting actors for your independent film
Next to having a great screenplay and a clear vision, casting great actors is the best thing you can do to improve
the odds of your film succeeding. Casting good actors is 80% of the directing process because once you have
cast actors who understand what they are doing the directors job is almost done. Nothing is worse for the director
than having prima-donna actors who can't act, won't follow directions, show up late if at all, are dishonest and
quit just when you need them.
Casting directors
If you have the money hire a Casting Director. Casting directors make it their business to know lots of actors
and actor's agents. The best ones have access to a vast number of actors. They don't hire the actors. They bring
them to you to audition. Casting directors know the SAG rules, how much an actor wants to be paid and will help
you negotiate the contract.
The casting director is a member of the creative team. A good one will understand storytelling, will "get" your
vision for the film and be excited by it, will have a positive attitude and high regard for actors, will have access to
the best talents and agents and will be able to negotiate on your behalf. The best casting directors will figure out
a way to get that one special talent despite the fact that they demand more than you can pay and are already
booked.
Use a casting director who is local to where you are casting the film. The greatest New York casting director won't
do you much good if you are looking for actors in Chicago.
You can locate casting directors through Breakdown Services, Ltd. The Casting Society of America (CSA) issues a
quarterly directory of casting directors. Of course, casting directors want to get paid for their services so if you
are doing a very low-budget indie, your can probably forget using casting directors.
If you can find one that is hungry enough they may work for a reduced fee but they probably won't have the
experience or reputation to be able to access the best actors.
Breakdown Services, Ltd.
Breakdown Services, Ltd. provides the service of "breaking down" your script into a synopsis and cast list. The
breakdown sheets will be sent to casting directors, actors agents and personal managers who will pay Breakdown
Services a share of their commission if they get any of their actors cast in your film.
Breakdown Services will require that your film has solid financing behind it however so if you're paying for your
film with credit cards and your rich aunt's generosity you can probably forget Breakdown Services.
Also, when Breakdown Services distributes sheets for you film you will suddenly be visible to the unions who may
start to pressure you to only use union actors and crews. If you're operating on a small budget you won't be able
to afford to go union yet.
What's the small indie to do?
Part of your job as an independent filmmaker is to always be on the
lookout for actors. Attend local theater productions. Large cities with any
kind of theater going on will have stage actors who would love a chance to
break into film. Even smaller communities will have some wannabe actors.
In a pinch you can try casting friends, family and interesting people you
meet. Most people are willing to give acting a try. The lure of possible
stardom works to your benefit.
Ask other filmmakers and ask the actors you find to recommend other
actors.
Find local bulletin boards at colleges, community centers, churches and
shopping centers where you can put up notices, or run ads in local papers.
There are online casting services where you can advertise for the roles you