A question of economic importance: ethically speaking , is it ok to pay your extras and lead actors purely in food and beer instead of money ? Cos being the poor crumb snatching , babys candy stealing ,kids meal buying, train fare evading, scoundrel that i am - paying actors with food seems like my only option for my upcoming feature....
A feature? Difficult to answer.
The common sense answer is yes, as long as they are aware that's the deal. Plus, as many, many people here will tell you, you must be prepared that these unpaid 'actors' can walk out on you at any time, and there's sweet FA you could do if they did.
Good luck, what's the feature about?
It's certainly a risk, most no-budget features are shot over a long time, you will probably loose about 1/3 of your cast and crew (in my experience) as the process takes too long for most people to commit to.
But, it's not all doom and gloom. There are some really great and willing people out there. If you get to know them first, maybe do a one day short together, you stand a better chance of keeping them if you have no money.
Also, you have to watch your mouth with people you don't pay. You can't shout and scream at people with no incentive to be there. I've seen a few people just walk away from a job when the director turned into an arse, I've done it myself.
Remember, they are doing you a favour.
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I'd rather work for food money.
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 13, 2005 01:52 PM: Message edited by: jb. ]</font>
I don?t think paying actors is hugely necessary for a short film.
I?ve made 5 or 6 of my own short films and I?ve never paid actors - the way i see it is there is know reason to turn into an ass hole even if things aren?t going well.
It also helps to get the actors excited in the project so try to sell it to them.
I think you are coming at this from the wrong angle.
For a low/no budget film, you are unlikely to be paying anyone, they probably know it already, if not make sure they do!
BUT the least you can and most definatly do is feed them.
If you dont feed them, they will walk.
If you can afford expenses then so much the better.
jb wrote:
>Remember, they are doing you a favour.
I think thats a tricky one. Sure they are, but you dont have to cast them, you are also helping them out.
At the end of the day I think they ARE doing you the favour, but directors have feelings too, and why should you be walked all over by some unreliable tosser, who thinks he's doing you the favour?
Also shoot it QUICK. Dont string it out over months and months or you are in for the worst time.
Just get on with it and keep it simple.
Feeding your cast is not a completely altruistic gesture. As the shoot progresses people will become tired and hungry, and as they do they will become grumpy and uncooperative. Half a takeaway pizza later and their blood sugars are back up, and they are prepared to walk over hot coles for you again.
Some people will fuck you around, and act in an unprofessional way (i.e. being late, walking out etc.), but most won't. For a start, the more organised you are, the more they will be compeled to be organised. Supply them with a schedule as soon as you can. Use the audition process to not only judge their ability to act the role you are considering them for, but also to judge how commited they are to the project. If you supply them a map, and travel information to help find the auditions, they will take you more seriously, and be on time. If they aren't on time, and don't call to let you know, then don't cast them. Give them some material to prepare for the audition, i.e. a scene, which you ask them to read a couple of times, to become familiar with. If they don't, don't cast them. If they can't be bothered to read through one scene, what hope do you have that they'll learn their lines for the entire project.
Remember what it is the cast want out of the arrangement. They can make up any old crap on their CVs, and they know that your movie will never be the break out sensation at Sundance. 9 times out of 10, they want a scene to put in their showreel. Be a gent, and once it's edited, stick it on a DVD and send it to them.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">But it's an unprofessional production...Some people will fuck you around, and act in an unprofessional way ...
It's an unwritten rule, feed em at least, and expect unprofessional behaviour BUT have a back-up plan.
KEV O , earlier on you asked me what my film was about .
Ive been mad busy so sorry for such a late reply .
Unfortunately i cant really tell you what its about- just a brief description of it would sound ridiculous to the more experienced and sesnsible film school types who dwell these boards. I will post bits and pieces of info on it as development progresses though. Laters.
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