Hello Filmmakers,
I’m so excited to welcome you to my upcoming class, How to Approach Hiring Top-Tier Talent for Your Feature Film, taking place on January 6th. Whether you’re an emerging director, up and coming casting director, an established producer, or somewhere in between, this session will equip you with the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to secure big-name actors for your projects—and do so in a way that sets your production on the path to success.
A bit about me: I’ve spent the past several years working as both a film producer and distributor. In that time, I’ve had the privilege of navigating different aspects of the filmmaking process, from concept development to festival premieres. Through numerous productions, I’ve honed my ability to identify casting opportunities that elevate the overall value of a film—both creatively and in the marketplace. I’ve negotiated deals with top-level agencies, found ways to manage limited budgets without sacrificing star power, and built relationships that have opened doors to some of Hollywood’s most talented actors including Sean Patrick Flanery The Boondock Saints,The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Jaime King Sin City, Hart of Dixie, Kelly Stables and Jennifer Taylor of Two and a Half Men, Frank Whaley Pulp Fiction, Swing Kids, Eric Roberts The Dark Knight, Suits, Denise Richards The World Is Not Enough, Wild Things, Adrian Paul Highlander: The Series, Briana Evigan Step Up 2: The Streets, Gilles Marini Sex and the City, Dancing with the Stars, Ed Begley Jr. St. Elsewhere.
I’ve created this class because I believe every filmmaker should have a clear, strategic approach to casting. It’s not just about chasing the biggest name; it’s about matching the right performer with the right role in a way that resonates with audiences and investors alike.
I want this class to be as interactive and valuable as possible, so please feel free to ask any questions in advance or share what you’re particularly interested in learning. By the end of our time together, I hope you’ll not only feel excited about the possibilities of casting your dream actors, but also more prepared to navigate the challenges that come with this critical stage of filmmaking.
Looking forward to seeing you on January 6th and hearing more about what each of you is working on. Let’s make your next feature film a success—starting with the perfect cast!
Best regards,
Michelle Alexandria
President of Light Year Pictures
Instructor, How to Approach Hiring Top-Tier Talent for Your Feature Film
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Hi, Michelle Alexandria. This sounds like an incredibly helpful class! Happy Holidays!
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Maurice! Looking forward to 2025!
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Michelle Alexandria How do you define "Top Tier Talent," Michelle? Is it anything like "bankable talent" which is defined by "capable of guaranteeing a successful box office.." When you put "capable" in front of "guaranteeing" it takes the meaning of guaranteeing and turns it into nothing. All in all, it's a bunch of Hollywood double talk. You guys like to throw around a lot of phony phrases and titles that don't really add up to a hill of beans based on math that caries no true value to the data. Show me a mathematical formula and I'll tell you how and why it's utter nonsense.
Was it Top Tier Talent that helped Madam Web or Kraven become such hits? Was it Top Tier Talent that made Borderland such a big budget success? Why is it that a national poll suggest that over 60% of the general public do not care what political views celebrities have but they still feel the need to tell people how to think? Is Rachel Zegler doing such a bang up job to promote Snow White or will it turn into every bomb she's ever been in? Oh, that's right, according to her, she doesn't need our business.
I have the perfect cast for my $1.5M budget action film, but I doubt people like you would agree. What is your game anyway? More and more, you people "in the know" are starting to lose credibility because no matter what you tell us, you have the connections while we have to deal with the snakes in this business.
Do I sound bitter? You damn right I am. Do I sound angry? You're lucky this isn't audio and I have nothing against you, personally. I'm sure, in your heart, you're a wonderful person, but I'm not drinking any more snake oil. Everybody on this site has hopes and dreams. Now maybe they're good enough to bring them to life and maybe they're not, but without investors, how can they find talent? Without talent, how can they find distribution? Without distribution, how can we find investors? It's a Catch 22 and right now talent isn't the draw it once was. Award shows all are suffering from ratings drops because celebrities can't keep their mouths shut and SAG won't reimburse you if their union member tanks publicity for their film. They already got paid.
I'm all for classes and lessons if they're truthful. We're looking for investors. We don't have any resources to buy a bridge.
Philip David LeeThank you for every word and answer you give on behalf of me and the 32 community. Some people trade in dreams and trade in everything real and shiny, but something is fake. You and my dear friend Michelle Alexandria have been fair. Do not be angry with us. These are our opinions and we disagree sometimes as long as it is for the public good. We know that you would like to transfer something to us and try it with all love and affection for a new year.
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Hi Michelle Alexandria I'm interested in taking this course because it's the exact hurdle I'm about to leap. Is there a link to sign up?
Here's the link to sign up, John Clive Carter: www.stage32.com/education/products/3-part-class-how-to-approach-a-list-t...
And here's a Lounge post about the class: www.stage32.com/lounge/anything_goes/3-Part-Class-How-to-Approach-A-List...