Acting : How to book a well-known actor as a not-well-known director by Mathew Kong

Here's a "tough love" answer. Try both agent and manager because the chances are slim with either. Also try the agent's assistant and the manager's assistant. One of them might be in a good mood that day. Here's a strategic tip. If there's any way to tie the short to a cause/charity, you have a better chance at scoring a big favor out of a big-time actor. In any case, both agent and manager need to protect the client's best interests, so you have to demonstrate why doing this short will be a positive thing for the actor's career. We know why getting the actor is a good thing for you, but why is it a good thing for the actor?

Thank you Regina, what you say is tough love, I think sounds like good practical advice. I'm trying to be as realistic as possible, knowing that this probably won't happen, but I want to give it a try. I'm a bit nervous that at hearing "fan film", they won't take me seriously. It's also going to funded by Kickstarter, which has me even more nervous that they won't want to jump on board. Should I mention project details, or ask if I can mail/e-mail project materials to them? Or should I just keep it to: "Hello, my name is Mathew Kong. I'm directing a short animated fan film and I'd like to know if so-and-so is available?"

The short answer is somewhere between the 2 versions you've proposed. Like I said, you have to demonstrate why it's in the actor's best interests to review the offer you're making. If the actor is SAG, you may have to deal with a SAG waiver. SAG's indie policies are not my area of expertise. Hard to say with no info, but you may want to wait until you have the Kickstarter funds. The actor likely won't want you to market your crowdfund campaign on his name, because there's no upside for him. He's fully exposed. If you don't get funded, his bank-ability takes a hit. Then again, google James Franco's Indiegogo. Some people just wanna help.

I agree with you Lee. This explains why an actor like myself will want to go an extra mile. I do not have a manager for now and this gives me the opportunity togo about it my way till the time i will have a manager to handle all such issues. For an actor to raise his finger for such an oportunity, it shud sound reasonable enough as to what he will gain, making such an endeavor.

Excellent comment, Regina. The most important thing is to always ask first, how does this benefit the other person? If you can't provide an excellent benefit, then walk away. This puts everything in a very positive perspective and keeps your focus in the right place. It's very hard when you put your soul into your work, but always pays off in the long run.

Thank you, Neba. Matthew, don't be nervous. The worst that could happen is they say "no." Life goes on. Put that nervous energy into giving them a reason to say "yes." What's the upside for the actor to put himself on the line for you? He's taking a risk that could mar his career. If the short film is good, he's a generous genius for signing up. If the short film is bad, he'll get bad press, "Oh what an idiot Actor X is. Why would he star in a random short film? What an idiot. His agents are idiots too for encouraging their client to do a bad random short film. Why would they do that?" A good answer is "because it was for charity" or "because it was for his alma mater." Absent that, you have to give him a compelling reason to put his reputation on the line for you. How are you going to convince the actor/agent that the rewards of doing your film will outweigh the risks?

@Andrew, yeah you're talking about "best practices" for life/relationships, not just for short films. :-)

Thanks Regina, Neba, and Andrew. It makes sense to approach things from the other person's point of view, both in a professional and a respectful sense. I understand the reasoning for restraint in putting the actor's name on the crowdfunding campaign, but on the other hand this is a case where the actor has huge positive recognition from the fan base, and would absolutely lend a large amount of legitimacy to the project (for the record, I am casting because they are an awesome voice actor and would help take the film to the next level, but I also know having this actor on board would boost visibility significantly.) Do you think it would still be out of line to ask if they'd consider attaching their name to the Kickstarter? Also, I do plan on connecting this to charity; this is a fan film, so no profit is coming out of it; any and all excess funds will go to funding charitable organizations. Finally, I think what has to happen is I simply have to have a great script; something the actor will absolutely want to be involved in. There's no way around it, and there shouldn't be! The only part I'm anxious about is them tossing it before looking at it. I guess my biggest fear is them getting stigmatized by the phrase "fan film"; just imagining myself saying it to them makes me think of eyes rolling and the phone clicking, like they'll automatically wave it off as some amateur kid's pet project and that'll be the end. Should I have a story pitch at the ready, or simply ask how to send over the script/materials?

You're making me bananas!!!!!??? This is how creative people get hamster like on treadmills. Face your FEAR and do it anyway. From what you've written, you have everything ready. Having a great script, a pitch, a properly written email and a properly worded phone call are never going to GUARANTEE anything. It just means you are professional and prepared. JUST DO IT and risk the NO. Your fear is creating realities that don't exist. i wish I could look you in the eyes and will you to take the action and feel my support. But all I have is my words and I can't capitalize everything!

It's funny that you ask that question because I've been wondering the same thing concerning my play.

Thanks Andrew, and sorry for driving you bananas. :) I'm definitely going to go through with it, I just want to make sure I have my ducks in a row and that I'm not caught off guard by being unprepared. If they ask me something, I want to have an answer; I know I can't anticipate everything they might say, but I want to minimize the times I have to say "I don't know" or "I'm not sure yet", and I don't want to come off as disorganized or unprofessional. Going back to the crowdfunding, another concern I have is if I wait to contact them until after my campaign, my funding is fixed; if their fee ends up being higher than what I've raised, I'm screwed. However, by approaching them beforehand and asking about their fee, I can incorporate that fee into my campaign. Without knowing that expense, I won't know how much I need to raise, my campaign goal will be arbitrary, and my backers won't know what (or who) their money is going towards. Personally, I always like when the campaign for a film lists the actors (and as much information about the project as possible, for that matter), particularly if the actor lends a component of quality to the project.

Good for you!

I recommend having some finished previous product to offer up. And if the person does occasional voice overs, then you may need to get a home loan....

@Mathew, I only skimmed your post. I assumed if you're going after a "star" on a Kickstarter budget, the star isn't doing it for a payday. His fee has nothing to do with his decision. He's doing it out of the kindness of his heart. I think your offer of a fee is probably SAG's minimum for that tier of work as a token of your appreciation. But in your situation, for a short film, you should call SAG and get their guidelines. Again, you need to give him a convincing reason why doing it is a "win-win," and that reason is not going to be a few hundred bucks!!

It's not like an offer of $200 vs $1000 is going to be the deciding factor for a star. The assumption is that he's doing it for free or whatever SAG requires you to pay. No one makes any money for a short film! That's not the point of shorts. It may actually be insulting to offer a few hundred extra bucks. There is no way that salary is entering his mind for a short film.

Mathew I am convinced stage enables us to get to know and interact freely with film makers. Through this we can talk film issues one on one I am the representative of actors in the BOD of the Cameroon Film Industry. What opportunities can you offer me if I may ask?

@Andre: Previous work to show is always a plus, definitely. Not quite sure what you mean by getting a home loan...? @Regina: Very good point that if they show interest, it wouldn't be for pay. Although I assume they'll be interested in the budget, as a sign of the quality of the film, and therefore having a completed Kickstarter with the funds already set would be a plus. Then again, having their name on the campaign at the outset could potentially secure a higher budget. And once again, I'm torn. Any thoughts on this? @Neba: Well, this fan film I'm discussing is my first project as a director/screenwriter. I'll likely be holding a casting call for any roles not already filled. Beyond this, I'm primarily a music composer, so I don't typically work with actors and only come on board during post production.

@Mathew, with all due respect, I'm employing a version of Socratic method. What would you guess based on the above comments already made?

@Andrew Bee, bring up the bananas again!

Hahaha. Gina you so funny

@Regina: I understand your view that I should secure the funding first, you made that clear. However, I brought up a new point that you didn't address: having their name on the campaign could potentially secure more funding for the project overall. Plus, I would like to ask what charities they support, so I can possibly incorporate it into my campaign. If I've already secured my funding before I contact them, I won't be able to do that. They can always say "no", or "I'd rather wait until you have your funding first", at which point I'll work with those options. Also, I really appreciate the advice, and I feel like it's not your intent to come off disrespectful, but could we please stop the teasing? :) Thank you.

@Mathew, with all due respect, it's the same point. I 100% understand why it helps your movie to fundraise using the star's name, but I still don't see why it helps the star to let you do so. It's almost all risk for him, not much reward. I could be missing something. Best of luck. I'll shut up now and not risk teasing.

I feel it helps because a better-funded project means the potential for higher quality artists, production, etc, as well as more money going to charity. Like you guys pointed out, they don't want to be part of something that's going to be poorly done, or that will reflect badly on their reputation. And as for charity, an article saying "Actor stars in indie film and helps raise $5000 for charity" can reflect well on them. I think I could explain it to their agency with something like: "Having So-and-so's name on my campaign would help raise more funds for the charities I'm donating to. 10% is going to charity, while the rest is going directly to production costs and fees. We're not using any of the funds for profit."

The only risk for them, I feel, is if the crowdfunding doesn't make it, then their image takes a hit. But honestly, I don't think having one's name on a little indie short film that didn't get funded is going to affect their career. And if it does get funded but the film ends up terrible, then as you mentioned, at least they can say "it was just a little indie thing for charity". Plus, they will have the script beforehand so they can judge if they like it before taking any plunge.

Also, I just want to apologize if I'm causing frustration, and I really do appreciate all of the advice. I have a habit of asking people way too many times to be sure of something, and I'm sure it comes off as block headed a lot. Regina, please don't shut up, you're awesome! :D