ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXCasting Directors for Low Budget Film
6 years, 9 months ago - Stefano Nurra
Hello there everybody,
just wondering if anyone out there has had good experiences in dealing with casting directors for low budget films (between 600 to 800k GBP). My feature film debut as writer/director is a fantasy genre film, it has been through the development motions for a while (including EU Media development programs/markets) and me and the producer are now in a good position with sales agents and contacts for early financing. I've got a very good profile as writer/director in top festivals such SITGES/FANTASIA/FRIGHTFEST/etc...
We need to start attaching UK acting talent and I've heard very contrasting opinions regarding involving casting directors or not. Some say it's worth it some say it's really not. We are in no position to pay a daily/weekly fee and can right now only afford a flat fee.
Also, we're looking to attach talent that has at least some sort of profile (we do have a good budget for the roles) so we wouldn't want someone that just puts out a casting call open to anybody.
We're currently on the lookout for someone good that can help us land the right cast though and I wonder if this is something we should do ourselves by getting in touch with agents asking for the right talent.
Just looking for opinions and advice really.
Thanks!
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6 years, 9 months ago - Lewis Partovi
Hi Stefano, I haven't worked with her but I think she'd be perfect - Google search Sue Odel
Response from 6 years, 9 months ago - Lewis Partovi SHOW
6 years, 9 months ago - Lewis Partovi
Sue Odell, oops?l!
Response from 6 years, 9 months ago - Lewis Partovi SHOW
6 years, 9 months ago - Jane Frisby
Hi Stefano ... I have been a freelance Casting Director for many many years .... and have cast and am casting mostly low
Budget Feature Films and Short Films ... many for the NFTS .
www.janefrisbycasting.com
janefrisby@hotmail.co.uk If you would like to get in touch .. be great to hear from you .
All very best Jane
Response from 6 years, 9 months ago - Jane Frisby SHOW
6 years, 9 months ago - Jane Sanger
Your question is does it make a difference is it worth it? Yes is the answer. Like agents with directors good casting directors make relationships with agents. Want A list or profile actors who will undoubtedly raise your profile and bring in potentially more profit . Ring An agent of try to get your script to s particulat actor? It won’t get through. You will wait months and be told a pass. You are generally a nobody as far as bigger names actors go. However a casting director does not just have your project but others so it’s worth the agents time to listen to him/her because there is not just this job but more to follow. Also a casting agent will know who is hungry for a role , there are certain profiles tors who eg haven’t worked for a while or have a particular financial need etc etc . I have cast many shorts and several low budget features and would be pleased to help but actually Jane Frisby has more experience than me so would be worth exploring .
Response from 6 years, 9 months ago - Jane Sanger SHOW
6 years, 9 months ago - Hayley-Marie Axe
Hi Stefano
You could try Manuel Puro at Puro casting, he is a real film buff and has been casting for years so is well connected but may look at an indie film like yours. He cast me in the feature film MAY I KILL U? which premiered at Frightfest. Google him, it's worth a try.
Best wishes
Hayley-Marie Axe
Response from 6 years, 9 months ago - Hayley-Marie Axe SHOW
6 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
What a good casting director gets you is access - they get emails answered that will be ignored if you go direct. They are not all equal if you want profiled talent.
For the budget range, a great option will be ex-soap casting. They have a bit of profile and frequently want to get features on their IMDB, and it helps you get "bigger" artists for your successive films as higher profile artists will sometimes only want to work with more experienced directors. The biggest plus from ex-soap cast is that they generally work HARD and are used to working with developing directors and by and large aren't diva-ish. That's been my experience over several features, anyway, if that helps.
Response from 6 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
6 years, 9 months ago - Angela Peters
Hi Stefano, I see Jane has already said hi. She's brilliant. Jane cast two of my friend's low budget movies and managed to get stars attached to both - Kris Marshall in one and Sam Hazeldine in another. Plus Jane is the loveliest lady on the planet.
Response from 6 years, 9 months ago - Angela Peters SHOW
6 years, 9 months ago - Angela Peters
Oh yes and Manuel Puro, who Hayley-Marie has mentioned is wonderful too and may talk to you when there's only a flat fee involved.
Response from 6 years, 9 months ago - Angela Peters SHOW
6 years, 9 months ago - Seylan Baxter
It's definitely worth getting a casting director involved. They will be able to approach names for you and they will give your film a lot of credibility among actors, whether they're named talent or jobbing actors. I was also going to suggest Manuel Puro. I don't know Jane personally but I've heard great things. And there are many other fab casting directors who will work on independent features.
Response from 6 years, 9 months ago - Seylan Baxter SHOW
6 years, 9 months ago - DON CLOVIS JOYTO FILMS UK LTD
hi STEFANO
Im as well Casting director ( Freelance) specialize with some cast names in UK and USA, also stunts teams etc.. locations in Uk and other
check me at : GOOGLE: DON CLOVIS
www.joytofilms.com ( Upgrade website coming soon )
donclovis@joytofilms.com
PS: Im in London UK
Response from 6 years, 9 months ago - DON CLOVIS JOYTO FILMS UK LTD SHOW