Reader’s question:
[in response to a subscribers-only article in which I emphasized the importance of casting talented professional actors]: What if I have no other option but to select a group of new actors who are in the other field? Now I am in the above situation. Actors are very much suitable to the character but making them act like professionals is a challenge. Any tips on it and on coordinating them in a small budget movie where money is a big problem.
My answer:
If you want brilliant results, I really don’t recommend you cast amateur actors, but I understand your budget limitations. You can still work with professional actors if you have no money, providing they like you and the project, and providing that the catering is top-notch. That said, if you really must…
1) Warn them that movie making is seriously hard work: a lot of concentration, a lot of waiting around, having to re-shoot takes until the director is happy, 12-hour days in the best cases.
2) Make them passionate about you and the project.
3) Rehearse a lot before the shoot.
4) Make sure they know their lines perfectly — check well before the shoot.
5) Direct your actors using subtext.
6) Provide plenty of AMAZING food and drink during the shoot (this is crucial — if you can’t afford it, don’t shoot the film until you can).
I hope this helps — very best wishes, and keep me posted!
Guaranteed distribution for your film or video
Tweet
2 Comments
Powerful answer! I found myself in a similar situation as the asker of this question. With virtually no budget, I had to make do with an inexperienced cast and crew (the camera operator being the only crew member with experience). I spent nearly nine months (five hours each week) giving them some training in acting, blocking, etc. and rehearsing with them before I was sufficiently ready to start shooting. What I failed to do (because I didn’t know) was the AMAZING food hint! A lot of correction had to be done in post. Now I know better. Thanks to you
There is only one way to have remarkable results with zero experience actors: improvisation. Rehearsing lines is useless if they don’t have at least some experience.