Do you, as an independent filmmaker, ever cast actors casting-call style? I'm sure you'd get great acting that way but it seems... weird to do that.

Yes! I love casting!! I'm not sure how it is in nowhere (which is where you're listed as being from) but I put a casting call up for a short radio drama, no pay, five actors. Within 24 hours I had 98 submissions. All professional, adult actors in NYC. I use nycasting.com ... they have branches in other cities I think. The site is a bit confusing at first, but once you figure it out there are tons of people signed up who you didn't notice right away.

Last time I did this we held auditions, this time I'm scheduling phone auditions--with voice acting you just need to hear them.

Well yeah, but i'm 17, in high school, and am only beginning to build a portfolio.

Also, nowhere is pretty acurate- northeast NJ isn't all that active and my town is nearly 2 square miles.

Ok, I know exactly how you feel. Will anyone trust your professionalism? Will anyone want to work for you who doesn't know you? I went through all of that before I got to school, and never actually sent out casting calls because of those worries.

Now that I know just how willing actors are to work, I'd recommend trying a casting call anyway ,even in high school. If you can act really professional, they will trust you.

I'm just guessing it's a little easier in New York, but I feel Blkmamba's pain. I feel weird doing it for the little shorts I want to do, mainly because those are for a demo reel or my own personal pleasure and it wouldn't really be of any service to an actor who's not getting paid. Now I wouldn't mind doing it for a production I had higher hopes for, a project I think might actually be a benefit for the actors.

elliott...

I've casted two guys from my school's drama club before. That's probably the closest thing I've ever had to real actors. But...Shakespearians are...different, to say the least. Don't ever give them a close up.

The biggest mistake is to cast your friends, because friends usually cant act. Cast the right type of personalities for the right roles. Search for personalities, not wannabees. If you trust in your screenplay enough, you`re also able to organize no-matter-how-pro-it-sounds real auditions.

"Search for personalities, not wannabees"

This is good advice. A fantastic actor is ideal, but there are very few out there. I'd rather go with a non-actor (zero experience) than a self-declared 'actor' nine times out of ten. Unless you find an actor with the talent necessary to make the created seem natural, it's better to cast someone who doesn't have to put on airs to play the role - let them play themself. Bresson would probably agree...

Casting is a very interesting thing.
I feel myself like a real director while talking to the "actors".
Fact: I never ask my friends to take a part in my short or a play. I search other people that don`t know me. Then, if they accept my vacancy, I make cating beetween them.
Casting is a very important period of making a film and if you want to become a real director, you need to practice with it.

Hmmm Actors who can act are usually hard to get a hold off. However I recommended you go to your local theater group. About every town has one and usually has actors who have had experience and are willing to work for free! I found that you can’t be too picky but you usually can end up with what you want without too much of a hassle or giant search. I have found you can found alot of talented people from these places. Be sure to speak to the director or the president of the theater group to make any official announcements you don’t want steal there actors from there productions or you or your children and your children’s children will never be allowed in the theatre again!!!....... For three months.

Theatre acting is totally different than film acting. I don't recommend bringing theatre actors into your projects unless they are supposed to be theatrical.

Theres unlimited personalities to become aside from yourself (which is the hardest to be and ultimately decides/influences the other characters you'll act as)

Good theater actors are typically better than actors trained in film/tv, HOWEVER, if they're not good or don't have any film experience, they're going to screw everything up. Good theater trained actors who also understand film are amazing.

There are barely any good stage actors, though.

My ranking, from best to worst:

1. Trained film actor who can actually act
2. Trained stage actor who also knows film acting (virtually none)
3. Non-actor
4. Average stage actor

Nothing will take a dump on your production faster than using a regular or poor stage actor. The moment they ask about their motivation and beats, find someone else..

It must vary by location. When I put up a casting call here, on NYCasting.com, I get about 120 results within the first week, depending on how exciting the project sounds. Best ever was 99 in 24 hours.

The VAST majority of them, around 90%, have started out as stage actors and then moved into screen. Nearly all of them have been in Law and Order, The Interpreter, Stepford Wives, and any other TV/film projects recently filmed in NYC. They've played major roles on stage in dozens of plays, and a handful of small roles in major screen projects.

My ranking would go like this:
1. Trained stage actor who also knows film acting
1. Trained film actor who can actually act
2. Non-actor
2. Average stage actor

"The VAST majority of them, around 90%, have started out as stage actors and then moved into screen. Nearly all of them have been in Law and Order, The Interpreter, Stepford Wives, and any other TV/film projects recently filmed in NYC."

Surprised to hear this. I worked on a film last fall and few of the actors had stage background - especially the lead roles (Paul Giamatti, Michelle Williams, Michael Pitt.) Many of the local actors in smaller parts did have stage background.

Yeah, I'm referring to local actors. I'm not getting any big names in my casting calls yet! It'd be interesting to do a study of successful actors and compare stage backgrounds with number of nominations and other quality related factors.

Almost all of my actors are stage actors, but I've been doing movies with them for a couple years, so now they are pretty dang good on film.

The Tisch Drama department teaches stage acting first and foremost, with optional programs for film/tv in later years. I think stage acting just has more to it, more depth and life, and so once you're good at that, you'll be able to adapt to anything.

I've been lurking for a month, decided to sign up and respond to this post.

I run a theatre company and one of my daughters is really into film and tv acting as well...
Coming from both sides of the fence, I'd say that actors from neither stage nor film is "better" than the other, but they are definitely "different."

As for your original question, although my daughter is SAG eligible and has been in a Warner Bros film, she went to a student casting call last Friday, right after going to a professional paid call. Sure, actors would all like to get paid and work on feature films. BUT, new actors (especially) need to work on their own reels. Even somewhat established actors like to be a part of new projects. Sometimes, those student projects that only take a weekend or two are perfect for a slow month!

I say, believe in your project and believe in its value and you will find plenty of actors who will value it also!