(1) Pay in IOU's with the clear stipulation that the project may never make any money and if it doesn't the IOUs will not be paid. Most people will sign up for the fun and experience and this won't be too big a deal. You might want to pay at least gas money depending on the situation. If you ever talk to a distributer the IOUs should be included as part of your budget as if you'd already paid the folks, that could be a deal breaker if your numbers are too high, but it could ensure that at the very least the cast is paid and you are honorable so they may work with you again.
(2) Go to theaters and schools with drama departments to find people willing to work for experience and pump up their early resume.
(3) Use friends and coworkers. If you have the right kind of script that doesn't require a lot of emoting or you can use cuts to chop up long dialogue sequences this can work.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

I agree. Theater Companies are full of good actors and most can memorize thier lines faster and more solidly, so your shoot will go smoother and faster. I would pay them in a % of the film and lunches, most of these actors will work cheap so the % wont be high and plus since they stand to profit from the film too the more you make the more they make, which means the more they will help out promoting it. Get them decent lunches, have family members/friends cook for them as a favor, but only the family/friends that CAN cook. I dont use friends as actors cause 1) they tend to goof off more and 2)if they suck its harder to fire a friend.

My advice would be to hit the Universities/colleges in your area. There are lots of students who would love to be in your "Well-written" film. They will do it for free. I would be very surprised if a student with little acting experience asked "How much" to be in your film. They will do it for the fun and experience.
Good luck.