Hi I am Carol Dunitz. I am a writer, composer, actor and producer who is about to start casting for a movie musical about the world's first superstar, Sarah Bernhardt. This is a two hour feature film with 15 songs. I have tried to reach out to actors through their agents which does not work. Letters and phone calls are dismissed or ignored. This is an historical film with specific needs for the three supporting actors. And I would like to cast at least one actor who is established in the industry and generally recognizable. How do I connect with established actors when their agents not only do not facilitate the process but simply act as gatekeepers who refuse to open doors?
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Great to meet you, Carol Dunitz. I hope you get in contact with the actors and they join your movie musical! Looking forward to seeing it!
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Great to meet you, Carol Dunitz I hope you get the actors you're looking for and they join your movie musical! Looking forward to it!
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Rose, the screenplay actually takes place in one room like Rope, Twelve Angry Men and The Whale. It will be shot in the U.S. Thanks for your suggestions. I really appreciate it. :) Carol
Hi Carol Dunitz
I think your project is great. You're facing the same challenge as I. We've both got brilliant ideas but what we need is just networking.
This is a solution I suggest. We can grow together. I am an actor as well but I've never been in the industry. I've never acted in a film before but that doesn't I ain't great. I'll like to audition for a role. Perhaps you might need a black teenager who knows how to rap in your film. I can be that guy. Moreover, even if my profile isn't what you might be looking for, I can be useful for writing the scripts of future projects. I've completed one action adventure story, one sci-fi script and I'm presently working on a sci-fi romantic comedy. I might not be the fiy for an actor but you can consider me to co write future projects. Thanks
Hi Carol Dunitz
I think your project is great. You're facing the same challenge as I. We've both got brilliant ideas but what we need is just networking.
This is a solution I suggest. We can grow together. I am an actor as well but I've never been in the industry. I've never acted in a film before but that doesn't I ain't great. I'll like to audition for a role. Perhaps you might need a black teenager who knows how to rap in your film. I can be that guy. Moreover, even if my profile isn't what you might be looking for, I can be useful for writing the scripts of future projects. I've completed one action adventure story, one sci-fi script and I'm presently working on a sci-fi romantic comedy. I might not be the fiy for an actor but you can consider me to co write future projects. Thanks
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I'm also facing the same problem! Over a long period of time, I've tried to contact actors through their agents, but either no one responds or they are unable to take on additional projects. I mostly receive the former response.
Currently, I'm looking for an agent to represent me, so they can contact actors and production companies on my behalf. Hopefully, that will elicit a response.
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It make sense to try anything and everything. I posted about this because I don't have the answer!
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My most recent contact with an agent for an International/A-lister actor stated that the project needs to be fully financed.
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How can you be fully finance without knowing what their fee is?
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We make a project-budget, in which we estimate the fee. The offer we make needs to be negotiated with the actor and agent/manager. If that doesn't work out, you move on to another actor who will play the role for the amount.
A-list Hollywood actors can earn tens of millions per major film role, while lesser-known or starting out actors may make $50,000 - $200,000 per role. (internet)
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Depends if you're looking for a A star actors/actresess which are almost impossible to reach, for lower level there are ways. You just have to be resilient.
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Rutger Oosterhoff "babies are generally far more resilient than new parents realize"
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Carol Dunitz Hi Carol. Sometimes your own Manager/Agent can get through a little better to their agent/Manager. I have had better success with Managers than agents though. Have you gone that route? Are you affiliated at all with CSA? I know this can be so difficult to get to people. When I cast for a play reading last year I was able to get 4 film and television "well-knowns" but it was during the strike and everyone was bored to tears, and I contacted the Managers. Hmmm...wish I could help more.
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All of your responses have been extremely helpful. I now have a clearer picture of what I need to do moving forward. I would like to have one recognizable name actor. So I need to put together the complete budget and allocate a certain amount of money for that. My pitch deck will include a list with photos of actors I plan to contact for each role. And I can move from one to the next for as long as I need to once I have raised the money I need. Potential investors will have a sense of who might be cast from the pitch deck and the five minute film I will put together. Thanks to everyone for responding and helping me understand what order I need to do things in. Warm wishes for success to all. I appreciate your input.