I'm making a student film and need to find actors in the LA area who will work for free. Is there a good website, forum, etc. for this? Any ideas?

Try Craigslist.org, but seeing as you are in LA, just look around, post wanted ads, etc. to let more people know.

Finding actors in LA shouldn't be a problem.. even if they will be working for free I think putting up some signs on campus, coffee shops, a craigslist ad and you'll be beating them off with a stick. :)

Though I would suggest that rather than working for free you find a way to offer a per diem that will at least cover gas/transportation expense. It really shouldn't cost anyone money to be involved in your film.

Lots of local community theaters are good resources as there are actors there who don't get paid to act...they just love acting. Sometimes, artistic/creative people just need outlets. I know when Will posted on craigslist and mandy.com for our "Curtain Call" 48 hour, we had way to many to keep track of...make sure to screen test people if you have the time/ability to do so...(with a camera).

Just one thing: It's easy to get actors, but unless you're able to shoot everything in one day there are a couple of things you ought to know about working with people who are volunteering their time.

When you ask people to work for free you have to do two things:

1) Make them feel that the project is worth their investment of time (ie. good script, interesting acting roles and at the very least something given to them at the end which will improve their show reel)

2) Be ultra professional in how the shoot is run

Basically, don't make all the usual student film maker mistakes of: having half your crew turn up late for the start of the day; making actors wait around whilst people drive back to the Valley to pick up the batteries you forgot to pack; poor scheduling which means an actor turns up at 6am and you shoot anything with her until mid afternoon; over runs into the early hours in the morning caused by poor planning and arguments on set with crew members; and, no provision of either a comfortable waiting area, coffee or even water for the actors.

Something like 75% of the student productions I've seen, run into problems on days two and three when key cast members bail on them.

The more you run your set as if you were paying everyone, and therefore they have value and represent a real cost to you, the better your film will be.

Which is just a fancy way of saying "Value Your People"

Clive, your comments are excellent! Right on the money!

I also have a suggestion or two that I have found to be helpful on my projects. Regarding the cast, it may be cliche', but treat your cast like gold. I am an actor, writer, and getting more into direction and producing. And there is one thing actors are, sensitive. Every single one. I've never met, or worked with an actor, who didn't have this sensitivity. They have this sensitivity, because I find especially with my acting training, it's a part of the job. You're dealing with a person who is trained at "feeling". They can't just turn this off. Well, most can't. It's a part of who we are as actors.

With that, do what you can to have a car pick them up for the shoot, and take them home afterwards. it's sounds funny, but believe me, it ensures two things. First and foremost, they will be there. Second, it makes them FEEL really special. I know it sounds funny, but believe me, it works like a charm. Just that simple convenience. Put it into the budget of the film, and if you can't afford it, get a friend to do it for you. But this is one simple, reasonably inexpensive luxury that actors LOVE!

Get to know what makes people happy in each role. And if you're not sure, ask. Ask the actor what would make them "FEEL" comfortable. Same with the crew. Make sure you communicate with them on what it would take to meet their minimal needs. Again supporting what Clive was saying.

Second I would suggest, is the food. Whatever you do, make sure the food is good. To donate your time, this is the least you can do is provide REALLY good food. Again, it's a bare minimum that if done right, leaves a lasting impression. And it's a basic instinctual minimum with people. Meaning, good food, promotes happy people. Not a big cost, and it shows you care. Like Clive was saying, you have to compensate for the donation of their time. Putting good food in one's belly, is definitely a way of communicating you care. And you better care, as these people have the fate of your film, in their hands. Again, specifically when your dealing with people that are working for free. Also, make sure you have food that supports any dietary concerns with the cast and crew (lactose intolerant, non-meat eaters, etc.). Try not to provide any heavy foods that would zap people's energy (heavy pasta's, cheesy foods, etc.). Base drinks water, seltzer water, no soda, no alcohol. I say no soda as soda has high sugar content, and you don't want your cast or crew "crashing" during the shoot. There are really tasty flavored seltzer waters, juices, that you can provide that are really tasty.

Bare minimum, definitely pick up the actor before the shoot, and take them home after. Aside from how it makes them "feel", it ensures they will be at the shoot (most of all), and that they will be there on time. Then good food and drink!

-Richard
www.oneclickfilms.com