Thursday, November 17, 2011

When Does "Yes" Mean "Yes?"

Yes!  We've gotten the phone call we've been waiting for:  "So-and-so"loved your script!  But how many times does an actor have to say "yes" before they've said "yes?"  This question may not make any sense to you now, but it will.  I think I'll break it up like we break up filmmaking: pre-production, production, and post-production.  Bare with me... it'll all make sense.  This is how it works, and all questions must be answered with "yes," starting with Casting Pre-Production:

1) Is this actor available right now?  Yes.
2) Are they willing to be in a small budget indie film?  Yes.
3) Is this actor willing to work with a first time director?  Yes.
4) Is the script something that would interest them?  Yes.

If the answer to all of these are "yes," that means the agent is willing to read the script.  Casting Pre-production continues:

3) Does the agent like the script?  Yes.
4) Does the actor like the script?  Yes.

We're doing great!  The next step in all this is for the director to meet the actor.  We're out of the Casting Pre-production phase and heading right into Casting Production.  See where I'm going with this?

Welcome to Casting Production!  This is the best part, and I'll tell you why.  You're about to meet an actor that likes your script.  As long as we're prepared for this, this part is just really cool.  We get to not only meet an actor we respect, which is pretty fun in unto itself, but we also get to talk to another creative mind who wants to talk about the script you wrote (or discovered).  Even better, we know they loved it enough to meet with a first time feature director.  That's love!  Now all you have to do is hang out and talk about the film.  You'd think this would be a stressful meeting because maybe you think so much is on the line for both of you, but don't look at it that way.  Remember, they want the part.... usually pretty badly.  Sometimes that's hard to believe just because it's so not what we're used to, but it's true.  These meetings feel like wacky first dates, without the obvious.  Both of you are interested in each other; you want to like each other.  Maybe I'm lucky, but I have found this situation fun for both parties.  You both want the same thing... to experience the road to wrap with this project.  Why else would we be psycho enough to do all this?  Because we love the road we follow to get there.  Come on, now how fun does all this sound?  I honestly haven't had a bad experience yet meeting an actor in this situation (I'm sure I will one day), and I've met with a good handful of actors at this point.  Okay, as I said, I've probably been lucky so far, but I like to think it's more my doing than theirs: respect the actors, understand their approach to the script, listen, and stay positive.  I know my script inside and out, better than anyone... that's the way it should be.  Isn't it that way for you?

So now you've met with the talent, and I'm going to assume it went well.  If it didn't, there probably will be no Casting Post-production phase for you until you start over again.  Otherwise, here we are.  Now this is the part I was shocked to learn is way tougher than I expected.  Can you believe it?  Getting the actor to meet and have a great meeting isn't enough?  Really?!  This phase has proven to be the most frustrating.  An actor or agent rejecting your script isn't so bad.  It's part of the business.  Someone will bite.  But keeping an actor on even when you know they love the script, especially when you haven't reached full financing... this may just be even harder to achieve than anything!

Okay, so we need several things from an actor here.  The first step is to send out an offer with the salary information.  I've had someone back out on that alone.  Small budget films can only pay actors so much.  That's where faith in the script must reach a new level.  These actors can't like it just a lot; they have to love it.  And the truth is, we have to respect that.  No hard feelings... really.  Second, we need a letter of intent.  Hey Catch-22, I remember you...  you stink!  Yes, the only way to go back to investors with some kind of new cast clout, you need these little buggers called "Letters of Intent."  This form basically grants permission for the producers to use your actor's name with investors.  Before they sign you that big check you've been waiting for, they'll want to see this document.  Actors who sign this are basically giving official intent to be in your movie.  Just keep in mind one thing before you get too excited, if something else comes up, they are more than legally allowed to bail.  Listen, it's better than nothing, and it does work.  The good news is the actors take it pretty seriously.  Suddenly you have found more questions that need a yes:

5) Will the actor accept the offer (amount of money) for this role?  Yes.
6) Will the actor sign a letter of intent so his/her name can be used to attract investors? Yes.
7) When the money is in place and we're heading into production, is the actor still interested and not busy?  Yes.

Woah!  If the answer to everything is "yes," that's a great position to be in.  Now do it again... and again... and again... until your whole cast is in place.

This is seriously the most challenging part in my experience.  Even if you've met an actor and had the best night of your life, don't make the mistake of convincing yourself you've got them... it's very possible you don't.  Actors may beg their agents to call and find out how it went after a meeting with you, only to have things fall through later.  Sometime you may even in contact with them afterwords, joking about things you spoke about.  Don't be fooled... you don't have them... not necessarily.  Don't blame them so much or take it personally.  If you feel it went well, it probably did.  This is when the agents, producers, and contracts come in.  It's out of your control now.  You did your job by just having a good meeting with them.  There's a load of business to be dealt with, and it's very possible it isn't the actor's fault if things go sour.  This is the harsh reality of casting.

So there you have it... casting is no easy thing.  "Yes" just may not really mean "yes" until you get 7 "yes's" in a row.  But lets switch gears... we need a crew now, don't we...?

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