This year I have partaken in a number of short student films(to brush up infront of camera) and have noticed a number of things to watch out for as an actor if your not sure whether to work with a particular group or not.
Good
1. Greet you professionally and respectfully.
2. Send you the full script and details in good time for an interview.
3. They have a deadline for the project. (you will get the footage in good time)
4. They allow for the artist's interpritation of a given role.
5. They are passionate about the script and thier idea's for it.
6. They project a level of compitence and intelligence.
Bad
1. You don't get sent a script.
2. You do get sent a script but it is rigid and poorly composed.
3. The director thinks he's Scorsese.
4. They tell you when you walk in "Its part of our course work so we have to do it"
5. Over ambitious***
6. No fixed date for filming.
All in all the students at The London Film School, National Film School, London college of communication,Wiltshire College, Bournmouth University - from my experience - have conducted themselves professionally, I understand its a mixed bag so other people may have other things to Say - I would never have done this many previously, but I am glad I have, even though they are learning and do make mistakes, their generally a good bunch!
How do you get auditions for these short films? I've applied for a few CCP, but gave up as they were always looking for someone younger/thinner/ older/ blonde/ else.
I'd really like to get some footage for a showreel, but can't if I can't get into any student films. Any advice would be great (and, yes, I know about paying for showered, but .... am a little short of spare cash at the moment)
Look for the more interesting ones with decent character detail. They will usually involve a script which isn't just about some impossibly good looking 20 somethings and a relationship / infidelities / smoking weed.
I've found now that I'm in an older age range I'm having more success with this kind of thing. Have a look at mandy / shooting people as well.
You can also contact local show reel companies which do show reels and not just the editing, as they need actors to fill in the parts for others - Actors One Stop Shop is one of those.
I know this is an old thread, but I just wanted to say that student films definitely have their place. I met who is now my agent on my first student film, and on my most recent student film endeavour I worked guerilla on a tube train which was great experience. I also got the contacting details of a casting director for a theatre production and that led to further networking including finding a professional photographer who does beautifully cheap headshots of superb quality, so they're not all bad and I guess you never know whose number you might be putting into your phone next and what will lead on from what.
I've been pretty lucky with the organisation side of it though, all the ones I've been involved in have been very organised but I've heard some organisation horror stories from other actors, but I try to keep a positive outlook on these things!
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