Also numbers guy a few points.
1. Forbes may not be an A-list actor, but I think you'll find everyone on this site is a working actor, and by golly Forbes seems to be working, and when you've got V For Vendetta, a Stephen Poliakoff production, a Phillip Pulman adaptation, a David Schwimmer, a Paul Greengrass, a bond film and two of this years Oscar winning/nominated films, then you've got yourself a career.
I think your arrogance is misplaced, and thats being polite.
Some points you have is right. Kudos for accomodation and meals. But then again thats to be expected, but you're right it's a student film, actors should be expected to give a little, not because you're a student, but because its a project that doesn't have the five star means. However they shouldn't lose out because that turns them from working people to mugs.
The way I said was that I wouldn't pay for the auditions for my film, but every other expense would be paid, as long as they ask for it. Some of my actors didn't cash the cheques I gave them because they loved the experience so much, but other did, and I'm fine with that.
Point is, if you're not willing to pay people with the experience of Forbes, then dont, they're plenty of actors on here looking for a showreel or are theatre based and while not mugs, will give you a bit more, because they need a bit more.
Oh and I have a friend in Lincoln, well Bishop Grosseteste; try Lynsey Moule and her degree for size, they're a stunning group of actors.
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On the locations, cars and equipment; tailor your film to what you've got access to. I wrote a twenty minute film about a conman, and used my local town, a National Park, my own house; roads, a local lake, and the Italian Gardens in Stoke. The film was written with locations in mind, and the locations were all accessible. The film is great by the way.
You can't possible budget a high speed motorway chase with council buildings, explosions and what have you and then expect actors to work for free, that's insulting and beyond your means.
If you can't meet the fundamentals, you're missing the point of making a movie. Yeah it's art, but you gotta plan the art.
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To the director, Alex, here is a snippet. When you create an unprofessional atmosphere with unprofessional ideas, and unprofessional ethics, you don't give the impression that the piece of work an actor is paying to be a part of is going to be worthy of their professional showreel.
Look and act like one; and everyone is fooled.
I also don't have a student loan; I live off money I have earned, as my parents give me nothing. How do I do this? I don't drink, I do drugs, I spent minimal money on crap, and have a job which finances what I need.
My actors slept on the couch and I cooked quite dire meals for them. Then I gave them their train fare and they went home; happy; because they knew I'd done right by them.
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