Learn to Cast your Short or Feature Film. Top Filmmaking Tip 2
Every filmmaker should have a casting process. This applies even if you are a beginner filmmaker making your first Short Film.
On the 5 Month Film School, we shoot a 12 minute movie exactly as it is shot on a big film set. So all the preproduction processes are exactly like they are on a big movie. One of the single most important tasks is Casting.
We teach the casting process over two full sessions on the 5 Month Film School in Brisbane. As we shoot a 12 Minute Short Film on every 5 Month Film School, it is important that everything is real, including the casting process.
We start the process by advertising the audition for the Film on different actor websites. This involves a casting brief with story synopsis, character breakdowns and when the casting will take place. You learn exactly how to do this.
Actors see the brief and approximately 80 – 100 people apply and then about 25 actors are booked for a 4 Hour Casting Night.
This is so important for this reason. The better the actors, the better the film. The better the casting is in your film, the better your film can be.
Have in- person castings. It is far better to see actors in person and record the audition and direct them in person, at a live casting.
On casting night, I always have a new actor coming in every 5 Minutes. Some will take longer, and some will be quick. The longer auditions happen when a really good actor auditions and you want to spend more time with them.
Once you have seen the process of casting for real with an experienced filmmaker, it will be easy for you to cast your own film.
This is why it is important to learn casting on the Brisbane 5 Month Film School. You will become a better filmmaker and if you are beginner you will learn how to make a film the correct way.
In summary here is how a casting happens on the 5 Month Film School.
- Week 1: Advertise the casting on as many actors sites and Facebook groups as possible.
- Week 2: Contact the actors via sms or/and phone and book them into the casting night or day.
- Week 3: Casting auditions week is the week where you see the first round of actors.Create a short list of the best actors.
- Week 4: See the short list again. Really test the actors.
- Week 5: Make your choices and cast the film.
Casting is a fun process that any filmmaker can do. Once a filmmaker has been shown and taught how to do it, they can cast their own film effectively.
Find out how to cast properly on our 5 Month Filmmaking Schools or on our Flagship Filmmaking Course
