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The Importance of Finding the Right Talent
and Where to Find Them
by Scott Eggleston
�A chain is only as strong as its weakest link� the old adage goes.
Sometimes we as filmmakers (especially if we�re doing multiple
jobs) concern ourselves so much with the technical side of things
that we forget about a crucial element that can make a huge
difference: the talent.
I am a big believer that you have to start out with a great script
to create a solid foundation to build on. Without it, whatever you
construct will crumble, no matter what your technical expertise.
Second only to that is you need to have good actors to draw the
viewer into your story. Bad acting is like bad audio � it�s
distracting, and disconnects people from whatever message or
mood you are trying to convey.
When I first started making short films, I did what everyone else
does in no-budget land: used my friends. This can be a very sharp
double-edged sword. Sometimes they work out very well (my wife
has a real knack for casting people she knows), but if they don�t,
you will not only have a disappointing performance, but possibly a
ruined friendship as well.
When looking for new blood, the first thing I tried was auditing
local acting classes. I had used an actor who was part of a group,
and he encouraged me to attend class and observe. Once cleared
with the teacher, my wife and I sat in. It didn�t take us long to
figure out who would best fit into the script that I had written. We
also noticed who looked good together (we were looking for a
couple) and who had chemistry. It was a process that took several
classes, but we had our actors, who were more than happy to
participate.
If you�re still in school, you have an even bigger pool to pillage:
the theater/film acting department. Actors (especially those with
little experience) want to work. They are hungry for it, and want
credits for their resume and reel. This will make them even more
valuable. Like you, they don�t want to waste their time on a sub
par project. They will do those anyway, but you can elevate their
body of work the same way they can elevate yours.
The best way to find your talent (and to save you a ton of
legwork), is to just hold an audition. I was leery that any �real
actors� would want to be in my Podunk DV project, but was
pleasantly surprised. As mentioned above, actors want to act, and
you are another catalyst to propel their abilities forward.
Search the web for sites where you can post your audition time
and date. Contact local talent agencies and inform them of the
details as well. If the job doesn�t pay, tell them that. Some
agencies won�t want to inform their actors if this is the case (since
they won�t make any money either), but may have a bulletin board
to post non-paying work on. Finally, inform your friends. They
may feel a bit put out that they have to audition for you, but if they
really want to act, it�s something they�ll have to get used to anyway.
They may even surprise you in a competitive environment.
Whatever finding method you choose, make sure you thoroughly
describe the part(s) available. Be as specific as possible. The
narrower you are with what the character should look like and who
they are inside, the better used your time will be at the audition. If
some stunt work is required, list that. If they have to have an
accent, list that. The more details you provide the better. No one
likes an ambush. This process is tough and rife with rejection
anyway, so the more you can do to make it go smoothly the better.
Hold your audition in a place with essentially two rooms: one
for everyone to congregate, and the other for the actual readings
with individuals. Provide everyone waiting with sides (portions of
the script they will be reading), and some light food and drink. In
the actual audition, create a friendly atmosphere with as many
people as possible, to help reduce nerves. Be polite, tell the
actor(s) what you�re looking for, and let them do their thing. Take
notes where need, but make sure you videotape the proceedings
for later review.
There are some very talented actors out there, waiting for an
opportunity to shine. Many of these you have never met, and only
will if you set something up that brings you together. You can still
use your friends, but don�t shortchange your vision when a little
extra effort puts you in an entirely different league of storytelling.
This article may not be reprinted in print or
internet publications without express permission of StudentFilmmakers.com.
Photos may not be copied or reproduced.
Check out this article in the July 2006 print
edition of StudentFilmmakers magazine, page 30.
Click here to get a copy of the July 2006
Edition, so you can read and enjoy all of the excellent
articles inside.
About the Author:
Scott Eggleston is a freelance writer and movie critic living in Salt
Lake City, Utah.
Resources:
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