Upcoming auditions for locally based independent feature film...

Wed, 6 June 2007, 10:26 am

I have only just registered with this site and my sole purpose for doing so is to get the ball rolling for casting/auditions for a low-budget independent feature film that I have written and am looking to direct at some stage in the future. The film is a dialogue driven ensemble comedy with eight major parts and a few cameos. The reason I am doing it on this site is that it is probably better suited to theatre actors, also, my experience is more in theatre than film. Finally, I am still toying with the idea as putting it together as a play if I cannot get the technical assistance I need to make it as a film. At this stage, I am just looking at whether it is worthwhile starting an auditioning process. Any ideas?

Thread (38 posts)

Threaded Flat

Luke GrevilleWed, 6 June 2007, 10:26 am

Lennon RowellWed, 6 June 2007, 10:40 am

yeah its a good idea

you should go ahead just hold auditions make them in the city or something and it will be free. Once your done that if you dont find anyone then its costed you nothing but if you do find the people then youve gained something

how old do the characters have to be

NaWed, 6 June 2007, 10:45 am

Actually, I would suggest

Actually, I would suggest waiting until you are 100% sure what you are doing. Nobody likes going to an audition only to be told that the project 'might' be going ahead. If you are waiting on funding, that may be a little different, but personally I wouldn't sign on for a role until I am sure the person producing it is actually producing it. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

LabrugWed, 6 June 2007, 11:45 am

Agreement

I agree with Na. A certain level of certainty is a very comfortable feeling. Auditioning for something that May-or-may-not go ahead will only mean that the potential candidates you may audition will not hang around if something better comes along, more certain.

If you can actually give a few definites, it will help convince a few more to hang on a little longer.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

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Luke GrevilleWed, 6 June 2007, 12:09 pm

Point taken

Yeah, I am in agreement about getting more certainty about the whole idea. I understand why that would be frustrating for people. That's why I'm only sounding it out at this stage rather than actually organising anything. As much as anything, the chances of the film going ahead would depend on the enthusiasm and availability of the cast as much as anything else. I would intend to shoot it in a short space of time after quite a lot of rehearsal and workshopping - hence the kind of theatrical slant - so it depends quite heavily on what the cast can bring to it. Oh, and there are characters from 20-55 years old, male and female. I would have to cast a pretty wide net, I think.

NaWed, 6 June 2007, 12:23 pm

I would suggest that if you

I would suggest that if you are planning on filming it, the whole project depends less on the cast as it does on the film equipment and crew. That's going to eat up a lot of budget, and if you can't get someone to film it - or a camera to do it with - then having a whole bunch of enthusiastic actors turning up won't exactly help you. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

LabrugWed, 6 June 2007, 12:34 pm

EOI

My I suggest then fielding Expression of Interest where people who are interested in finding out more contact you. From that you should be able to determine what level of interest there is, thereby determine your casting viability.

EOI's are non-committed submissions and are not actual auditions or submissions for such. However, you can certainly use this list to start a short-list from. Just don't pre-cast anything (or if you do as a good friend once told me, keep it to yourself.) Leave the actual casting for the audition proper.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

Luke GrevilleWed, 6 June 2007, 12:42 pm

I realise that...

I know that it is harder to organise the technical side of filming, I was referring to my impression as to how well the film would work, ie how good it would be. If I can find a good cast, I don't mind putting some money into the budget. If I can't find a good cast, I might as well forget the whole thing. But your jaded cynicism is duly noted.

Walter PlingeWed, 6 June 2007, 12:52 pm

Talk to all the people

Talk to all the people involved in Julian Costanzo and Ian Robertson's film Motife and see how much they enjoyed being fricked around by a film that was actually shot and everything but never completed. Get the technical and money side sorted first; then you're sure to get a good cast. Otherwise you'll just piss off any goodwill from cast and crew alike.

NaWed, 6 June 2007, 12:53 pm

Actually, it wasn't

Actually, it wasn't cynicism - just a realistic outlook. (I was going to add at the end of my post, but didn't - this is coming from the viewpoint of a techie... ;) ) But it's kind of a chicken and egg thing. I've always found that people are more than willing to dive in, but the best people have wanted to know that you have the budgetary items taken care of. You can't be sure of how much you want to spend unless you know you've got a good cast. I have produced my own work before, and have been down this road before. My advice is to put in the money anyway; good people are hard to find whether you have the money or not. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Geoff DuncanWed, 6 June 2007, 01:23 pm

I agree with Everyone

Hi, I agree with all here especially NA! and Labrug. You need to make sure one that the Film is financiable ( ie will people lend you the money to make it) is it sellable ( i know as the writer/producer you may think it is because you wrote it) but will a member of the public pay to see it. Do you have a brief on the film? you can send it to me and I will be able to give you some advise. But in all honesty we need more people making great quality australian films and theatre productions so give it all you have do not take no personally and keep going until you have your picture. Just make sure that you keep credability in tact. www.duncanglobal.brinkster.net

Luke GrevilleWed, 6 June 2007, 02:16 pm

Fair enough

Yes, I take all of your points. With regard to what Geoff said, I am not entirely convinced that it is sellable (would love to think it is, but yeah, you have to be realistic). But it is the lowest of low-budget premises - it's pretty much all in real time in the one location - and I would happily put some of my own money towards it to get it made and I wouldn't be silly enough to think that I'd ever see a return on that money. But if its money I was interested in, I wouldn't be bothering with any of this anyway.

NaWed, 6 June 2007, 02:26 pm

It is possible to waste

It is possible to waste several thousand dollars on even a one-day shoot. Some friends of mine did this, when they rented two lights, a camera, relevant leads, batteries, etc. It was a very simple set-up, but cost them a couple of thousand to rent for a day or so. You should probably create an example budget, so you can better gauge the possibility of doing it. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Luke GrevilleWed, 6 June 2007, 02:33 pm

Technical costs

I realise this stuff costs money, but I must admit I just don't enough about it yet to put together an accurate budget. From a technical side of things (so exclude costs of actors, set, costumes, location etc and also post-production), what is the least you could spend in putting together a (and this is obviously no more than a guess) 6-day shoot at one location. Keep in mind, it is going to be shot kind of documentary style, which should be a little more forgiving. I have tried to cost this stuff myself, but I'd be interested in any opinions.

NaWed, 6 June 2007, 02:39 pm

I have no idea. I'm not a

I have no idea. I'm not a film person; someone else on this site might know better. It depends on a number of things: are you planning on hiring a location, do you need permission or a licence if you film outside, will you rely on weather, how many actors you need (and if you plan on paying them), whether or not actors provide their own costumes, what set/prop items you need and whether you can get them free, film editing - do you need a studio or can you do it at home/borrow someone's studio, rental prices on equipment, providing food/catering, rehearsal venue costs, printing costs (of the script), insurance, and all the other variables like phone calls, transport, etc. These days a small budget film isn't so small... (From what I gather anyway) Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Luke GrevilleWed, 6 June 2007, 02:57 pm

Costs

I think that I can limit costs to catering, possibly some transport, venues should be free (for me) and I can organise clothing and props - will cost next to nothing. I won't be able to pay actors, with the exception of the fact that I would be try to be generous with my catering etc. My main costs would be equipment hire (where needed) and possibly paying person/persons to film, do sound, etc (again, where needed). I think I have got editing covered - or have access to someone who can arrange for that. It's a big undertaking though, I realise. I am a very competent organiser of these kinds of things, with the exception of technical aspects, which is probably the hardest part anyway.

NaWed, 6 June 2007, 04:42 pm

Sounds like you've got your

Sounds like you've got your bases covered. Paying crew may be expensive. I know a stage manager for theatre gets about $22 per hour award rates. Why not also check MEAA as to what rates are expected? You may need to consider a profit-share deal with crew/cast. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Luke GrevilleWed, 6 June 2007, 05:11 pm

good idea

I think a profit-share idea would be fine - don't think it'd be worth much to anyone seeing how unlikely a profit would be, but fine by me. And I don't know that it'd be as simple as just hiring technical people - I would actually want to find a co-director before even starting. I am keen to take on a role in terms of giving direction to the actors, but I really need to find someone who, firstly, gets what I'm trying to do and secondly, is interested in trying to put together a visually satisfying film. Can't really just pay someone on the day for that.

NaWed, 6 June 2007, 05:22 pm

No, but that's why I

No, but that's why I suggested taking a look at MEAA award rates. The problem is that you are looking for skilled people, and I'm not sure how many skilled film makers out there would work for nothing. (Again, take with a grain of salt, I'm not a film maker) Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Luke GrevilleWed, 6 June 2007, 05:37 pm

Mmmm

No, you're right. I don't think I can go the whole way through this without paying anyone anything. But I would have thought there would have been enough aspiring directors out there that one would be happy enough to not get paid to direct (or co-direct, whatever the case) a feature film without having to pay their own money. But yeah, the same probably doesn't apply to camera and sound and stuff.

NaWed, 6 June 2007, 05:42 pm

Yes, there are lots of

Yes, there are lots of aspiring directors and crew out there, and yes, plenty of them would do it for the fun of it. I'm just not sure whether they would necessarily be as good as those with more experience. (Ok, going to stop posting now. Hit the extent of my knowledge about this stuff, and am sure I'm going to insult someone at some point) Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Geoff DuncanThu, 7 June 2007, 09:28 am

where is this being done

Hi, Where are you located? Where will you like to shoot it?

Luke GrevilleThu, 7 June 2007, 09:58 am

Where?

I'm in Perth, so somewhere in country WA I guess - wouldn't need to be far out of the city. It is set in country WA, but it could equally be set in a rural area anywhere else in the country. Just a convenience thing really.

Geoff DuncanThu, 7 June 2007, 10:08 am

Thats a bugger I am in

Thats a bugger I am in Sydney

Walter PlingeMon, 11 June 2007, 05:32 pm

Help

www.thefilmcircle.com this might help you

Walter PlingeMon, 11 June 2007, 07:54 pm

very interested

Hey, very interested about hearing more about any Wa based project, sounds great. If auditions go ahead could u please keep me in mind? English_Muffin13@hotmail.com cheers, Julia.

Walter PlingeMon, 11 June 2007, 07:54 pm

very interested

Hey, very interested about hearing more about any Wa based project, sounds great. If auditions go ahead could u please keep me in mind? English_Muffin13@hotmail.com cheers, Julia.

Walter PlingeMon, 11 June 2007, 07:54 pm

very interested

Hey, very interested about hearing more about any Wa based project, sounds great. If auditions go ahead could u please keep me in mind? English_Muffin13@hotmail.com cheers, Julia.

Dave MaguireMon, 11 June 2007, 11:40 pm

try ringing up the blue

try ringing up the blue room in perth see if anyone there is willing to look at the script or they may know someone who will. then you will be able to see if it will work and what you may need to do to it. they will also have people they know on the technical side of things. fine to workshop it but film is a shit load different to theatre. sure if you get great actors willing to give it a go will not always make it work. if it is dialogue intensive then it may not reflect as well so you may need to change it to more visual for certain parts etc etc. even take it to one of the film teachers at some of the unis around the place. some of the film students in perth are actually quite talented ie the screen academy at WAAPA. there is also an independant group of film,writer and actors that have an In the Can Festival at bar 138 in perth once a month. just get advice about the technicallity of the script before you go ahead. good luck.

Walter PlingeMon, 18 June 2007, 11:36 am

Auditions

Hi Luke, How have you progressed with your project? I also live in WA (Bunbury, not far from Perth) and would be very interested in auditioning for your film if it becomes a reality. I am looking for screen experience (have stage exp) and would obviously do it for free. I will watch this space for updates. Good Luck Gemma

Sean BMon, 18 June 2007, 08:39 pm

Gee $22 an hour isn't half

Gee $22 an hour isn't half bad to stage manage! There's a lot of work there though, so I can see the reasoning behind it. *Goes and begins to research Stage managing for future reference* ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: "Boy Banned" a fusion of live acting, video footage, corny songs, syncronised dancing boys and egos! JULY 2007, ticket information coming soon!!!

NaMon, 18 June 2007, 08:56 pm

Actually, the reasoning is

Actually, the reasoning is quite the opposite. There's not a lot of paid work out there, with an even smaller percentage of full-time paid work. So $22 an hour is more about making up for not being able to have more paid hours. (You could also make a claim that it pays more because it's job that involves working in less safe environments). Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

kwyloMon, 18 June 2007, 09:03 pm

Making Films

Hi Luke, If you haven;t made a film before it may be worth considering starting with something smaller, the market for short films is sometimes larger than the options for low budget features. The golden rule of filmmaking is that youy make films with other people's money - not your own. You outline that you are considering a low budget film, in industry terms this would cover a film in the $5000 - $500,000 range. An alternative is the no-budget film where you just gewt everyone to pitch in for love. There are a few successful low budget, no budget feature film makers in Perth most noteably Zak Hilditch, who has made 2 films in recent years to some aclaim and Khrob and Miranda Edmonds. ScreenWest runs a funding program for low budget features called west Coast Visions, it allows for a budget of $750,000. The Film and Television Institute has funding schemes for short films ranging from $2000 - $70,000 range. Usually before a script is able to progress to a filming stage it will have been through several edits and rewrites and developed a marketing and business plan to progress. For further information get in touch with ScreenWest or FTI - they role is to help people develop thier films. Cheers Graeme Watson Professional Development and Training Manager Film and Television Institute gwatson@fti.asn.au

chloeallynWed, 27 June 2007, 09:12 am

film

hi luke, i would love to be part of your film are you holding auditions? email me at chlobo2@hotmail.com thanks, kind regards chloe.

Walter PlingeWed, 1 Aug 2007, 01:34 pm

Anna Bonetti-Actor

Hi Luke I'm an actor, just moved to Melbourne from Adelaide. I've completed an advanced diploma of arts (acting) and completed several theatre and film projects. The opportunity to audition for you would be fantastic. Don't hesitate to email me when you are casting. Thanks Anna T

Walter PlingeWed, 1 Aug 2007, 02:07 pm

What a shame Luke is in

What a shame Luke is in Perth, not Melbourne

Walter PlingeMon, 6 Aug 2007, 05:40 pm

I'd love to be in your film

Hey, my name is Samantha Brajdic and I'd love to be in your film. I have a stage age of 11-15. You can call my agents (Filmbites) 9408 0362 or you can email them on hallie@filmbites.com shanta@filmbites.com They are located in Wangara.

Walter PlingeTue, 7 Aug 2007, 03:25 pm

that is a shame! oh well,

that is a shame! oh well, plenty more opportunities out in the world

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