Sorry for the lack of updates, I’m moving this week. Got to put all my props, wigs, lights and other useful film making junk in boxes. Haven’t had a lot of time to work on the script, but I’m a little ahead of schedule anyway. Here’s a few things about casting and locations I’ve been keeping in mind while writing:
Casting: While writing the script, I’ve had specific people in mind for various parts. Some I had in mind at the beginning, some popped into my head while it developed. I’ve been lucky enough to meet great comedic actors over the past few years of shorts making, so I have a solid roster of reliable actors and what they have to offer. When shooting indie and on the cheap, you need actors who are cool and easy to get along with. You’ll be spending a lot of time with these people, so talent you get along with is crucial.
No complainers…
No whiners…
Actors who are reliable.
No disrespect to my future cast, but I’d rather pick a so-so actor who is pleasant to be around than a ‘great’ actor who’s a pain in the ass.
Don’t be so uptight about your script, either. It’s very important to give your actors a little wiggle room with their part. Since I’m writing with specific people in mind, most of which I’ve worked with before, I know what they’re capable of. Let them make it their own. You’re guaranteed to get a better performance that way than if you are a bossy dick and demand they do it ‘your way’. Get over yourself. As the director/filmmaker, it’s your responsibility to rein them in when they get off track, but let yo playaz play homey.
Locations: I took inventory of my free locations before I started writing. Do this. Seriously.
Apartments.
Work locations.
Parent’s house.
Cousin’s wine store.
Buddy’s crazy car.
I made a note of all the locations and props I could get for free and I’m writing them into the script.
Why spend X amount of months laboring over your submarine murder-mystery when you have no submarine?!
I personally can write for locations I’ve been to better than some made up place I hope to find. There’s a temptation to write a local location in, assuming you’ll be able to shoot there. Before you commit your script to the local, pop in there and feel them out. I’ve done this plenty of times, and believe me, they almost always say no!
What’s this for?
Who are you with?
How much will you pay me?
Forget it. I’ve gotten lucky from time to time, but it’s rare, and I can’t count on it! If you have a person on the inside, or a relationship with the owner of the home or business, is so much easier. The most important thing about shooting a location is: get the owner’s permission, and be perfectly honest about what you’re shooting. The owner reserves the right to pull the plug at anytime, and can take legal action if they don’t like how their establishment is portrayed, or the content of your film as a whole. Another reason to use locations of family and friends.
Remember: We’re not spending money for a reason. I’m not making the Dark Knight. This is a challenge to push myself to my creative limits. I’m doing this to become a great filmmaker, and to be that my creative muscles have to be rock hard. Put the credit card apps down and pick up a pen. Using people you know and locations you have access to doesn’t cripple your creative genius, or whatever film school nonsense makes you believe you need to spend a fortune on your film. I bet your ‘Battleships in Outer Space’ idea will redefine the entertainment business as we know it. Until you got a studio kissing your feet and throwing money at you, put that project aside. Making a film for free is not easy. That’s the point.
