ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXResponding to Actors
12 years, 1 month ago - Matthew Freeman
Hello all,
Firstly I'd like to just apologise if this post is in the wrong place or has been gone over before, I'm new to the site and am slowly finding my way around.
My question is in relation to casting actors for a debut short and what you experienced shooters would consider standard protocol. Recently I posted a bulletin for an available role (expenses only etc.) and immediately received around 15 messages which I was very happy with. Of these 15 people around 10 were deemed suitable and I replied through the site inviting them to audition and explaining the film, and that it was a debut short, where it would be shot and on what equipment, budget and crew size so that they would know what to expect from this project.
As many of these actors had linked Spotlight pages their with agents details on them I was wondering whether they would have preferred it if I had contacted their agents rather than mailing them on here and whether that was the more professional thing to do.
Thank you to every one who takes the time to read this and reply,
Matt.
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12 years, 1 month ago - Matthew Freeman
Thank you everyone for your responses,
The budget for the entire project is only £1,000 so there will be no extreme sums of money changing hands anyway.
I assumed that would be the case, but you know what they say about assuming, so thought I'd check with experienced shooters. Even though it's my first feature I'm trying my best not to come across as a buffoon with a handycam.
Thanks again,
Matt.
12 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Not a big deal. I'm guessing you're not paying top whack, no need to go through the agents unless an actor specifically asks you to (and is prepared to take the ~15% hit on the fee!).
12 years, 1 month ago - Yen Rickeard
Freudian slip Matthew, hold to the dream!
12 years, 1 month ago - Julia Sandiford
Hi Matthew,
Wouldn't worry, what you did is the logical thing I think and I agree with what Ruth said. If actors are responding to you, they've already set up that channel of communication - it would be funny for you to then contact their agents. I'd say go via agents if you are making the initial/direct contact, rather than posting a casting breakdown (perhaps with a high profile actor) or an actor asks you to once you've made an offer/a substantial fee is involved. The Spotlight CV here is just to give you an easy to read summary of their career, rather than contact info.
12 years, 1 month ago - Matthew Freeman
Sorry for the confusion,
I can confirm that it's a 10 minute short. I don't know why I said feature, I think I must've meant to say film but managed to mix my words.
Thanks Dan for taking the time to respond,
Matt.
12 years, 1 month ago - Steve Hope Wynne
Hi Matthew,
Many thanks for taking the time and effort to raise this consideration.
In my opinion and in agreement with Ruth and Julia, as an initial contact either way is acceptable. Having said that it is possible that your Actors concerned may have wished to keep their Agents in the loop as a courtesy for effective scheduling especially where they may be very busy with high remuneration contracts yet are keen to really make an effort to work with lower budget yet high value story / subject matter.
The Agent should in most cases make the enquiry known to the Artist and then it can go either way from there. That said, I believe that now, more than ever before, Agents and Artists are open to well tendered enquiries from Independent Film Producers because of the truly inspiring quality and commercial capacity of so many Independent Film Talent.
I hope it is not inappropriate to share this example of major international Actors and Agents expressing just that via a press conference last week. Re Shongram by Munsur Ali:
http://bollyspice.com/66258/anupam-kher-attends-london-press-conference-for-shongram
I do hope this is helpful.
WIth all good wishes Stephen Hope-Wynne.
12 years, 1 month ago - Dan Selakovich
Hey Matthew, all good responses, but I do have a question; you mentioned in your reply that it is a feature. In the question you said "short." I'm just wondering which it is given your budget. If you're trying to make a feature for 1000, you might need a lot more advice, as I don't see how that is doable.
12 years, 1 month ago - Ruth Curtis
Good morning, if an actor responds directly to you then you should communicate directly with them. It is unlikely that their agent will need to be involved in an expenses only production. I will often provide a link to my Spotlight page as that is an easy, up to date place to find my credits, type info, show and voice reels, is a professional profile but doesn't reveal additional personal contact info.