5 Things You Need to Know Before Booking an Actor or Actress

Do you need to hire an actor or actress? Do you need to hire them for a television commercial, a movie, a play, a photo shoot, or something else?

Maybe you’re having trouble finding the right person for your production. I’m here to help. In this post, I’ll discuss what you need to know before booking an actor or actress.

1) The first thing you need to know is whether your project is union or non-union. A non-union project is when the actors and actresses do not get paid minimum wage. A union project pays its performers according to guild guidelines.

2) If you want to book someone through an agent, you must pay their commission fee in addition to their salary. The commission fee is ten percent of the performer’s weekly salary, which is added on top of their hourly pay. It’s important that you ask your performer if they have representation before offering them a role in your production. If they do have representation and you offer them the role without going through their agent, then they’ll just refer you to their agent anyway so you might as well save yourself some time and go directly to the source!

3) Most productions hire performers on a day-to-day basis because it allows for more

Producing a film is a team effort. You need great actors and actresses to bring your characters to life. But hiring actors and actresses takes more than just a website and a hope that they’ll show up on time.

Here are five things you need to know before casting an actor or actress:

1) Headshots and Reels are not enough:

2) Casting an Actor or Actress is different from Hiring Anyone Else:

3) It’s all about the Personality:

4) Don’t rely on Celebrity Status:

5) Know what your Casting Budget will be in Advance

Most of your time spent on booking actors and actresses will be on the phone. Therefore, it is very important that you know how to handle yourself in a professional manner. It is also important that you know what to say, so that you get all of the information that you need. This will save you tons of time and frustration in the end.

When having a conversation with an actor or actress, a lot of new producers have the tendency to treat them like children. It is very easy to forget that these individuals are adults who make their living by acting for a living. You should not treat them as though they are not capable of making decisions for themselves, or as though they are not professionals.

If you need an actor or actress for your production, there are several things that you will have to consider before making any calls. You need to determine a budget for the talent and make sure it matches up with the budget for your entire production. You also need to make sure that the dates work with their schedule and work with your own schedule. If they are willing to make it work, then you may want to consider working around their schedule instead of trying to force them into yours.

1. The Actor or Actress Must be Properly SAG-AFTRA Registered:

Whether you are hiring an actor or actress for a union job or a non-union job, the performer must be registered with SAG-AFTRA prior to booking them. The only exception is if you are hiring someone for a student project (under 10 minutes) or if the project has been properly exempted per SAG-AFTRA rules and regulations.

2. The Actor or Actress Must be Properly SAG-AFTRA Signatory:

If your production is a SAG signatory production (feature film, television pilot, television series, and more), then the actor or actress must be signed in to the appropriate contract. For example, a union television commercial requires that the actor or actress have a current UBCP/ACTRA agreement on file with SAG-AFTRA. If your production is non-union (student film, micro budget feature film, etc.), then no special paperwork other than signing in and out at SAG-AFTRA is required for the performer.

3. The Actor or Actress Must be Available:

This one should go without saying but it happens all of the time; someone books an actor or actress

1. SAG-AFTRA and Non-Union Talent

2. The Importance of Knowing Your Audience

3. Whether to Book an Actor or Actress with an Agent or Manager

4. What to Expect When You Book an Actor or Actress

5. Specifics for Casting Child Actors and Actresses

1. Find an actor or actress who is fun to work with.

2. Don’t hire any actor or actress unless they are willing to submit to a video audition and/or a live audition.

3. Don’t hire a friend or relative of the producer, director, writer, casting director, etc.

4. Don’t hire someone who is too similar to you. (This is especially important if you are the writer.)

5. Remember that the casting process is not a democracy.

1. Make sure you’re working with a professional

2. Know what you need

3. Get references

4. Do your research

5. Don’t let the price be your guide