Contacting Production Companies Directly

Hello Diana,

Thanks for your post I read it with interest. I recently interviewed two producers who run a relatively large production company (i.e. making big feature films but on the scale of about one a year) I am going to write a blog post with information of life as a producer in relation to actors.
They said that for them it really wasn't worth while as they couldn't keep any of the information and they might not be casting for six months so by then they would have forgotten. Their advice was to build strong relationships with your agent and casting directors. And that casting directors will lead you to them, they are the main people to contact. That is only there view but hopefully it helps. It might be different for producers working in a different medium.

I have heard that it can be affective to contact directors, as they don't get contacted that often, and find it flattering. I haven't tried it personally so it is just an idea.

Best of luck with everything.

Veronica

• 9 years ago
• 1

Thanks for the advice Veronica! I hadn't thought to contact directors. Will be interesting to read your blog post!

Díana

• 9 years ago
• 2

I tend to agree with Veronica. Put yourself in the shoes of a Producer with a high and stressful workload - are you really going to remember someone who contacted you out of the blue 6 months ago when you weren't even thinking about this project?

The problem is that everyone works differently: there may be some very organised producers out there who welcome people getting in touch and have systems in place to put applicants on file... but from my experience production companies aren't as organised as this!

'Cold calling' in my opinion is generally counter-productive (unless it is in person)... the old adage 'it's not what you know, it's who you know' is still very much in play in this industry... much better to work hard at getting a good/professional reputation through castings/work/networking etc. People will remember you if you are an enthusiastic and likeable character in person, but on paper this doesn't come across and you're easily forgettable.

This said, I have got work in the past by just picking up the phone and being really cheeky so it CAN work... but I think that is rare!

N x

• 9 years ago
• 3

Hi there,

I freelance for production companies and I've encountered a few actors doing this in the past.

Don't do it. It's both annoying when we're busy and also ineffective. We delegate this role to casting directors - they book the actors in and organise the casting sessions so we can carry on organising the whole production. CDs are the people you should introduce yourself too, via appropriate channels when you've something to announce, eg a new show or reel.

• 9 years ago
• 4

Hello Dìana,

I hope you have been getting on well since your post. Here is the blog article I mentioned http://www.melbourneactingstudio.com/starchild-pictures-film-making/. Starchild Pictures' Ed and Martin were really generous with their time and information. I hope you enjoy it.

Take care,
Veronica Ellis

• 9 years ago
• 5

Perhaps for TV & film work, this isn't the best approach. However, I have done it many a time to corporate and smaller commercial production companies for both acting and voice over work. The success has been anywhere between never hearing from them to getting an immediate reply with a direct job offer. I have gained many jobs and on-going, strong contacts with these companies and continue to get work this way.

I agree there may be people that don't much care to receive it, but there are quite a lot that I have spoken to (in the corporate/commercial world) that say it makes their lives so much easier as it can mean not having to go searching for cast. And those that ignore them are very unlikely to note your name and overlook casting you in future should you/your agent submit you to them for a job.

Good luck & keep up the positive, pro-active work! :)

• 9 years ago
• 6