Finding Talent

When indie filmmakers look for talent traditionally they look to the pool of people they know unless they have funds to get a couple of “star names” in the film. This is not only due to the inherent human nature of wanting to work with people you know you are comfortable being around but also due to a lack of resources to pay for casting directors, audition spaces, etc. Though with self record auditions, things have changed a bit over the last few years.

It is sad to me that the industry also seems to work this way when they have tons of resources (i.e., cash) and can definitely afford to take a broader look at the talent pool.

But, I digress…

Indie filmmakers also look to people who they know to give them recommendations and some of these people are members of a variety of Facebook groups around filmmaking. Joining these are a great, free way to network without it taking up a crazy amount of your time.

I also, personally, do keep people in mind who have reached out to me with through private messages. If something comes along the person is right for, why not have them record an audition. It’s a great, free way to broaden your circle of talent as a filmmaker.

And, for actors, keep an eye out for posts in Facebook groups and also on the Facebook pages individual filmmakers you want to work with. This is becoming the new norm for posting about open roles.