How to Cast Actors and Crew for low Budget Feature.

Low-budget or not, nearly all filmmakers must accept the reality of recruiting additional help, unless the production is a one-man show--and even then, a little outside perspective comes in handy for the editing and post-production. No filmmaker gets off the ground without choosing some solid hands for their cast and crew--but can good help be recruited, when salaries and payments are merely dreams? Read this article for insights into that process.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Actors
• Assistant
• Bulletin board postings
• Classified ads
• Fliers
• Food/drink for the cast and crew
• Internet ad postings
• Lighting person
• Production manager
• Sound person

RECRUITING THE CREW

1. Recruiting a topnotch crew is the first order of business once a script is finalized, along with the locations. Their technical abilities will make or break what the director puts onscreen. The most minimal shoots require a lighting/sound person -- which one to two people can handle -- plus an assistant to load the camera, run errands, set up lights, and whatever grunt work the director can't handle. A production manager to scout locations and troubleshoot problems is also desirable, but the budget may not stretch that far. Accept that reality, and move on from there.

2. Decide who will fill these roles. The best route is picking from friends among the local film community, while novice directors should take out a classified ad, or post one on the Internet, or local college and university bulletin boards. The best scenario is finding a young student who will work for credit, which is the basic coin of the film world.

3. Spell out what positions are needed, how long the shoot should last, and the basic terms for working together. Since professional technicians will settle for nothing less than a minimal salary, the normal route is to offer deferred compensation and future profit (or "points," typically a percentage of the film's earnings).

4. Ask the crew members to sign a contract once they've been chosen, so that everyone understands how they will work together. To keep everyone working, the director may add a clause outlining that no payment will be made until the job is completed, insuring against the risk of a last-minute walkout.

CHOOSING THE ACTORS

5. Finding the actors means seeing them at work--whether it's church plays, college and university productions, community theatre shows, or film schools--and posting ads on available bulletin boards, or on the Internet, to speed the audition process. As with the crew jobs, spell out the calendar, number of roles, and working conditions, so everyone knows what's expected.

6. Choose a shortlist of four to six people per role, which can be whittled down to the final candidates. Be upfront about finances--if there's no room for salaries, paying daily per diems is acceptable, along with the promise of future "points." Also, have plenty of food and drink for the cast and crew, which will make them more agreeable.

7. Consider talent versus temperament--some actors require greater "pampering" and stroking, while others will nail their lines on the first try. The director must also weigh hiring actors versus non-actors, who may give less inhibited performances, but take longer to get them right. The normal shooting ratio is 1:3, meaning that three images are required to get one that's usable--so plan accordingly. If someone shows signs of making excessive demands, or not being a quick study, look elsewhere to fill the role.

8. Sign releases before shooting any scenes, even if the actor will only speak one line of dialogue, and also if they are 18, or younger. Contracts and releases are also required for actors participating in any profit-sharing agreements.

Tips & Warnings

• Anticipate problems before they arise. When conflicts occur, deal with them promptly and professionally. Give everyone their say, and move on to the next issue.
• Getting a production assistant frees the director to concentrate on more important details--such as making the film. If you decide against it, expect to spend more time and stamina on basic issues.
• If an actor takes too long on a particular scene, don't stop shooting. It may be possible to edit around their mistakes later.
• Think carefully about the cast's and crew's temperaments, because it will be difficult to part ways once a production rolls ahead.
• You can fire a technician or other professional person, but you can't fire your friends. Be mindful of this reality in all your dealings throughout the shoot.

Resources

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/filmmakersguidecastandcrew