As a student or low budget, independent filmmaker -- finding actors and casting your project is always a difficult hurdle. But as TALENT, as eager as you are to help out a fellow filmmaker (and to build your own reel), you must practice common sense caution these days.
1) Is the project affiliated with a bona fide film school or university?
2) If not, can anyone vouch for the producers? Do they have a track record? Are they recognized by local equipment rental companies or technicians? Google search?
3) Is the role described in detail, or too vague (meaning a catch-all)?
4) Are they offering to pay peanuts, or trying to net "dreamers" with visions of unrealistic salaries?
5) Is the gig local, or are they promising to fly you somewhere exotic?
6) Do they ask too many personal questions, as opposed to asking about actual acting background?
7) Don't be quick to provide "private" information. Don't reveal your actual address; and certainly not your soc sec number, etc.
8) Google. Google. Google. Facebook search. Etc.
9) Be careful out there!! If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam. Large budget producers and casting agents, for legit Hollywood/SAG/AFTRA features, commercials, TV -- do not advertise on Craig's List or even on websites such as this one. No one in Hollywood is searching for "new, unknown talent" -- they stick with tried & true, represented by an agent or manager.
10) However, there are lots of student or low budget "labors of love" projects that can only afford to pay minimal (or deferred) salary... and they might provide good experience and some screen exposure. When I was a working Hollywood sound mixer, we were often asked to crew on artistic productions, thesis films, and "for Academy consideration short films". Just saying, use caution.
1) Is the project affiliated with a bona fide film school or university?
2) If not, can anyone vouch for the producers? Do they have a track record? Are they recognized by local equipment rental companies or technicians? Google search?
3) Is the role described in detail, or too vague (meaning a catch-all)?
4) Are they offering to pay peanuts, or trying to net "dreamers" with visions of unrealistic salaries?
5) Is the gig local, or are they promising to fly you somewhere exotic?
6) Do they ask too many personal questions, as opposed to asking about actual acting background?
7) Don't be quick to provide "private" information. Don't reveal your actual address; and certainly not your soc sec number, etc.
8) Google. Google. Google. Facebook search. Etc.
9) Be careful out there!! If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam. Large budget producers and casting agents, for legit Hollywood/SAG/AFTRA features, commercials, TV -- do not advertise on Craig's List or even on websites such as this one. No one in Hollywood is searching for "new, unknown talent" -- they stick with tried & true, represented by an agent or manager.
10) However, there are lots of student or low budget "labors of love" projects that can only afford to pay minimal (or deferred) salary... and they might provide good experience and some screen exposure. When I was a working Hollywood sound mixer, we were often asked to crew on artistic productions, thesis films, and "for Academy consideration short films". Just saying, use caution.
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