Put an ad in a paper that actors read. I put one in Backstage West and it appeared online immediately and in the print version as soon as that came out. I was flooded with headshots (some from across the country, apparantly they didn't read the add very closely) from actors and piles of headshots from some agencies. Cost like $50 and well worth it. The ad even has a check-off if the gig is paid or not so you don't have to write that.

I put an ad on craigslist for zombies and got a pathetic response. Well I should say the number of folks willing to be zombies wasn't bad but the number that showed up was pathetic. Craigslist doesn't cater to those who want a career in acting so they don't take it as seriously.

I used sides and a monologue. The sides are good because it gives the actor a chance to play against someone else. Even if it's just someone reading without acting. Monologues are good because it gives the actor a chance to show what they can do. A prepared bit they've worked on hard on. I'd include a brief synopsis of the character with the sides but it's helpful to let the actor have some room to explore. Than you can adjust them. "Okay, very nice, but this guy's a bit more cynical. When he says that line he's being sarcastic."

I don't remember how I handled call-backs to be honest. My instinct is to call back everyone who auditioned but I don't remember doing that.

A couple of tips: Get a PO box. That way you can have the flood of headshots show up without giving away your address. It also helps if you need things to be signed for (buying equipment on Ebay for example) and won't be home all the time.

Get an email address. Not a free-one that looks cheap. Pay for one and choose the domain name. That way you look more polished. This helps you sort through the email responses you might get. Most of the time if you get an email address you can get more than one. Try getting one for casting. So if your company is Flix for example get casting?flix.com in addition to your name name?flix.com. This can help you sort out casting emails that may come in far later in the process after you've moved on and looks professional.

Also, while getting that email address get a website. Not a blogger site or myspace site. A real one. You want a place that you can post your sides, maps to your locations, maps to your auditions, and even post the names of those you've cast. The idea at this point is strictly to inform the cast and crew, not to sell the movie. The point is also to make yourself look as professional as possible. People act professional if you act professional.

Lastly, get a business card or two made up. These you can hand out at auditions. They should be simple with your email address, po box and website URL. A second one could include your cell phone number. That one could be given to your stars, cast, crew, and location people. This makes you look prepared and professional.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Hey

What is your budget? and what have you budgeted for?

Cleary.

www.myspace.com/b31_film_productions

What I look for when I cast is:

Acting Ability
Directability
Character fit

So I pull sides to test character fit, make the actors switch sides to get a better feel on acting ability and give them some direction to test directability. Personally, I think monologues are pretty useless in showing any of that, but some people (including most big time theater directors) find them useful. I consider myself an actor's director because I have a good handle on most major acting methods (specifically Method and even more specifically Meisner).

In further depth, the sides I pick have elements that the actor will need to have down to be successful as the character. Can they tell a joke (many actors have no comedic sense)? Are they convincing when angry? Can they handle an intimate scene?

Get an idea what you want to see, and work your auditions to show you that.

As of right now my budget is at $15000. I could probably get another $5000 if REALLY necessary. Abouy $10,000 of that has gone to the two cameras I will be using(and a nice tripod, tape, etc), mics and other sound recording equipment, and lighting equipment.

The other $5000 I have reserved for everything else(copies of scripts, a few necessary props and costumes, legal fees, a little food and drink for cast and crew, etc).

I have a couple friends who are musicians who are intereted in doing the music. There are also two songs that I would like to get the rights to include and after filming, if I could get them for cheap, I would probably have to sell my filming equipment to be able to pay for them.

I'm hoping my budget doesn't change much as filming gets closer, but that is probably unlikely.

Personally my view on your situation is that you might find it hard to find good enough actors on account that they will be un-paid. That said though it isnt hard to find people to perform, and my advice would be to use as many real people as possible, possibly people starting out in the industry who are looking to gain them selves relivant experience or even friends etc.

I would imagine that you would struggle to use actors linked to agencies as more ofton than not they are all about ?, how ever until you speak to them you won't know! They may even provide you with actors looking to gain themselves experience as opposed to just earning money.

How ever it is good that you are prepared to feed your cast and crew as this is the very least that you can offer to the people supporting your vision.

What genre is it by the way?

Cleary.

www.myspace.com/b31_film_productions

Also what city are you in? Some cities are overflowing with actors willing to work for free to get credits and notice. Others might have a very limited pool.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

The film is a comedy and I live in Lincoln, NE. I have Omaha an hour away and Kansas City 3 hours away. The University of Nebraska has a pretty big theatre department so I am hoping that posting stuff around that building will hopefully draw a decent amount of people.

Since there is little in the way of dramatic acting involved, I am not too worried about needing fantastic actors. If anything, I am looking for people that have strong, outgoing personalities and maybe some comedic timing.

And then also, people who want to help to make this film succeed will be a huge deciding factor as I would be screwed if I have actors dropping out halfway through the project.

Yeah, you can try Craigslist but your chances of getting any non-college based actors is probably slim so i wouldn't waste time with a Magazine ad. Few will drive hours to work for free.

You should see if there is an improv group around. Even if they don't actually act they should have the comedy timing thing.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA