RANT ON

For the professional or wanna be film actor, casting notices are easily found on the internet.

They’re in my email on a daily basis. They’re on Actors Access, they’re on Now Casting and they’re on Short Film Texas, to name but a few sources. ShortFilmTexas.com is a site I check daily because they have a LOT of casting information for Texas productions that is presented in a clear, attractive, accessible format.

What is the single most common mistake I see from the mostly low budget filmmakers who are posting casting notices online?

The mistake that potentially costs producers the better actors they want and need to cast for their projects?

The mistake that makes it harder for the producers to cull out the winners among all those who submit pictures and resumes for their projects?

Let’s use an object lesson by comparing two recent, real online casting notices:

What’s wrong with the following casting notice?

Casting Call For SAG Modified Low Budget HD Feature Film in Dallas, Texas ” XXXXXX” – PAID

Project Title: XXXX!
Project Type: Independent HD Feature
Union / Non-Union: SAG Modified Low Budget
Production Company: XXXX Entertainment, Inc.
Location: Dallas, TX and Waxahachie, TX
Start Date:XXXX
Producer(s): XXXX
Director:XXXX
Production Coordinator: XXXX
Publicist: XXXX

Casting:

* All Roles (paid)
* Extras (unpaid)

Paid / Non-Paid: Paid and Unpaid
Meals / Transportation: Meals

Contact:
CAST – please email headshots/resumes to  XXXX at gmail.com

The text above is from a real casting notice for a SAG signatory film. Names deleted to protect the guilty. Have you figured out why the above casting notice is a complete waste of time? If not, read on.

Check out the next casting notice:

Production Title: Fighting Devils
Studio/Independent/Student: Independent
Production Company: Silent Run Pictures
Union/Non-Union: Non-Union
Project Type: Short Film
Project Format: HD, MiniDV
Production Location: Austin, Texas
Production Start Date: October 24, 2009
Shooting Schedule: 3-4 days over a couple weeks
Production Wrap Date: November 25, 2009

Producer: Jacob Walinski
Writer: Boyd Yates and Jacob Walinski
Director: Boyd Yates
Additional Attached Cast/Crew: Andrew Medina and Jerry Early

Synopsis:

We are going to make a short movie that we wrote a few years back. It will be about a priest and the devil playing basketball for a soul. I know its a concept that has been done before. But not the way or with the style we envision. The whole thing will be in camera effects driven. Some of the things we plan on doing include the devil changing forms behind a pole, passing to himself and even turning into an ashtray. Its going to be a fun one to make.

Character Breakdowns:

* Devil – Tall 5′8 to 6′5 male with dark hair. Has to be able to at least pretend to play basketball. The devil will be sneaky with plenty of tricks up his sleeve. Sly and cunning.
* Devil form 2 – Female has to be ok with running up and down the court with a baseball tee and towel shorts. we prefer darker hair for this person but we will consider anyone.
* Devil form 3 – Tall Tall Tall. Im talking like at least 6′3 to 7. and built. We want this man to tower over the priest.
* Priest – we need an athletic mid 20’s to mid 30’s male. He is a man of the cloth but he does not put up with the devils trickery. He plays fair but good.
* Band member – Young guy. Punk rock/ heavy metal type. They are going to be fighting fro this persons soul.

And if anyone knows a good local band that would be willing to let us in where ever they practice that would be great. We want to showcase there band a little. And maybe us a song or two.

Audition Details:
October 03, 2009
Location – Email me first. Then I will give out location of the audition and any other info that you need.

Paid/Non-Paid: Non-Paid
Other/Additional Compensation: Film Credit, DVD Copy
Meals/Lodging/Transportation Provided: Meals Snacks and Beverages

*Email Your Casting Submissions To:
Please email headshots / resume to  Jacobwalinski at gmail.com

*Film/Production Company Website: www.Silentrunpictures.com

Note that the second casting notice is for a non-union film that pays nothing.

Which notice seems the more professional? More informative? To which notice would you be more likely to respond?

What’s wrong with the first casting notice?

Answer: It doesn’t tell potentially interested actors anything about the story or the characters to be cast.

The first example is bad not only for the actors but for the producers as well. Who is going to respond to the first notice?

This is purportedly a SAG signatory production. How many SAG actors are going to respond to what amounts to a complete shot in the dark?

Why bother to be a SAG signatory production and then withhold all details about what kind of cast you’re looking for? Why set yourself up for a mailbox full of headshots and resumes from people who are absolutely WRONG for your project?

If you’re looking for 2 six year old girls, please say so. That way us 50something old farts won’t waste our time or yours by submitting to your project. You’ll hopefully have a more targeted group of submissions to wade through.

Not to pick on the first post. It is one of many that I see daily that are a complete waste of time for everyone concerned.

Come on indie producers, THINK! If you’re not organized enough to post a casting notice that lets the acting community know what kind of characters you need for your project, are you really organized enough to actually produce a movie?

A final thought:
What is the first thing casting notice 1 tells you? It tells me they don’t have an experienced casting director, if they have one at all. That’s the first thing. This is a big mistake, IMO. If you’re a low budget filmmaker and you don’t think you can afford an established CD, approach one of their assistants. If your project has attractive elements, you never know who might want to come on board. A casting person with even a little bit of experience is going to save you a lot of time. And remember…time is money.

RANT OFF