how to make a short film
5. The people you need: Getting your crew and talent
The people most visible are the cast, or talent. In most cases, these are the ones who carry your film, and may be able to draw an audience with just their names alone. There are a few talent agencies you can opt to work with to secure the cast you need, but for quite a hefty fee. Often, these agencies may also represent less experienced actors and actresses, and these you may be able to sign on at a lower cost.
If you wish to keep your cost lower, you’ll have to be willing to do it yourself and to take risks. A public call for cast and arranging auditions in the usual spaces that are available can keep your cost down, but may cost you more time and headache for want of finding that right face, that right voice, that right hair.
The following roles need to be filled as well, and you’ll need to work out reasonable remuneration (cash or credit) in exchange for their craft and time.
- Producer
- Director
- Screenwriter
- Production Manager
- Assistant Director
- Location Manager
- Director of Photography
- Camera Operator
- Camera Assistant
- Sound Mixer
- Sound Boom
- Art Director
- Prop Master
- Wardrobe Person
- Hair/Make-up Person
- Driver(s)
The larger the crew, the more efficient you become, but the more expensive your production too. Getting crew members to multitask or doing many of the tasks yourself (in fact, many of these roles can be undertaken by yourself) would help you cut costs, but remember that efficiency and effectiveness are also affected. However, a short film should be a short project, so should be equally sustainable in terms of energy levels for an overworked crew.
Remember to pay yourself. As you pay each crew member a reasonable rate to survive, you’ll need to set aside some money for yourself to live on as well.
You can engage friends, relatives and family members, but you’ll also do well to put yourself on existing mailing lists where you can network and find people you can reasonably work with.
Another contact point is The Film Equipment Gallery where they’ll match you with the people you need.
