How to Cast a No Budget Feature Film

Here is a post from Associated Content about casting actors for no budget feature films. Although we don't agree with all the points made by the filmmaker/author, its still an interesting read overall. Check it out after the jump.

"I was able to produce a feature film, The Truth About Average Guys, for $5,000. It has gone on to win Best of Festival, Best Comedy and Best Actress at the Trail Dance Film Festival in January, 2009. Best Feature at the East Lansing Film Festival in March. And will be playing at the AMC 12 in Disneyland as part of Indie Fest USA 2009. My film competes, and wins, against feature films that were filmed for six figures and higher. It is possible to make a great feature film for very little money. Let's start with casting.

Casting is the second most important part of filmmaking, with the script being the most important part. Unfortunately in indie filmmaking casting often gets overlooked or pushed to the side. Filmmakers will spend money on crew members and then look for actors who will work for free on their film. The end result is usually a mediocre film with very bad acting in it. Usually it will cost you a minimum of $100 a day to get good actors in your film. However, there is a way to get quality actors involved in your film without spending any money. You just have to know where to look and what pitfalls to avoid.

Don't Cast Your Friends in it - Tempers flare when you work 15 hour days and people feel like they are being underappreciated or taken advantage of. So if you put your friend in the film, he or she may not be your friend after the movie is over. However, you could feel that you want someone on set that you feel comfortable working with and who you know will be fun to work with on set. But this is not going to give you the best film possible. Even if your friends are actors you should make them audition to be in the film. Don't just hand them the role. One reason is that you may find someone that is better for the role than your friend. The other reason is that your friend will take the job more serious if he/she thinks they earned the job instead of just being handed the job because you were too lazy to try and find someone else. Casting your friends sends a poor message to your crew and the other actors in your film - " I'm lazy. I'm unprofessional. This movie isn't serious." If you want a professional looking product you have to act professionally."

Read the rest of this piece HERE.