B-LIST ACTORS

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It's a figure of speech, dude. There is no list.

A-list actors are those who have a big box office draw. A movie can be totally stupid, but if their name is attached to it, people will still go to see it (at least on opening weekend).

B-list actors are everybody else. Those people whom you've seen in a million movies, but you don't necessarily know their names.
 
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JayeGolightly said:
Where to find a list of B-List actors?
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Here is a test you can do yourself to generate the list you want.

Mention an actor to a friend - not a movie fanatic, just someone
who goes to the movies. If they immediately know the name and
can mention three movies they starred in, that's an A-list actor.
As CF said, name above the title and just having that actor in a
movie means people will go see it.

B-list is a name that friend will know, but cant right off name
more than one or two movies they were in. And they have never
had their name - solo - above the title.

That's what a "B-list" actor is.

I'd say C-list is an actor that when you hear the name you don't
immediately recognize the actor but as soon as you see their picture
you know them.

And, to be clear, I'm talking about the average movie watcher - NOT
movie buffs. I mean seriously, who here on indietalk doesn't immediately
know who Lance Hendrickson is? But the average movie goer will not until
they see a picture - then most people will know who he is.
 
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This is a typical B-list conversation, an approximation of an actual conversation I had, just a couple weeks ago:

Me: I know that dude. I can't put my finger on it, but I know I know him.

Friend #1: Isn't that Freddy Krueger?

Me: No.

Friend #1: Yeah, I think that's Freddy Krueger.

Me: That's not Robert Englund.

Friend #2: Who's Robert Englund?

Me: Freddy Krueger.

Friend #1: Isn't that him?

Me: No, definitely not.

(beat)

Me: Oh, shit, you're talking about the new Freddy Krueger. I was talking about the real Freddy Krueger. Yeah, you're right -- that's him.

Friend #1: I knew it.

Me: True, but forget Freddy Krueger. That's Rorshach!

Friend #1: Oh, yeah!!!

Friend #2: Who's Rorshach?

Me: You've seen "Watchmen"?

Friend #2: Yeah.

Me: You know, the crazy dude that wears the mask.

Friend #1: I don't think you all understand. I'm not stuck in here with you. You're stuck in here with me!
 
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Good one.

But wouldn't that make him a C-list actor? Can't put your
finger on him, but you know who he is.

Of course as you said in your first post it's pretty much a
figure of speech other than "A" listers, but I tend to think
if know the name it's B-list, if you can't quite remember the
name but know the actor, it's C-list.

Speaking of Haley, do you know his story? It's pretty amazing.
 
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I don't know that I can say who's B-list vs C-list; there's a lot of grey area. Though, I do think your definition is fitting.

I know that Haley has been at it for a really long time. Child actor, "Bad News Bears", but I only learned that when I IMDB'd him a couple weeks ago, after the previously-mentioned conversation. What's his story?
 
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Cracker Funk said:
It's a figure of speech, dude. There is no list.

A-list actors are those who have a big box office draw. A movie can be totally stupid, but if their name is attached to it, people will still go to see it (at least on opening weekend).

B-list actors are everybody else. Those people whom you've seen in a million movies, but you don't necessarily know their names.
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Apparently, you have never heard of THE ULMER'S GUIDE for actors.

There is also one for directors.

There is an A-List, B-List, and C-List rating.
 
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B-list actors are everybody else. Those people whom you've seen in a million movies, but you don't necessarily know their names.
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Don't overpay B-listers. A lot of them think that they're hot sh*t but in reality they have little to no DVD buying power. Google has a tool that tells you how popular certain key words are. Enter their name and compare it with other B-listers and you might be very surprised to learn that certain B-listers really are virtually nobody.

A lot of porn stars will work for the same day rate as everyone else and I think they are well worth it. For example I did a comedy movie and one quite "famous" B-lister (who will remain anonymous - don't ask) worked at the same rate as everyone else who did topless nudity.
 
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JayeGolightly said:
MODERN DAY MYTH THANK YOU!!!!:P

I Googled for the book and came up with a site: http://www.ulmerscale.com/.

This is a BIGGIE help!

Can you tell I'm a newbie? :lol:

Jaye
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Not a problem! Glad to help. A producer in Los Angeles told me besides script writing software, budgeting and scheduling, The Ulmer's Scale is another essential to have for making films. It helps to find a name for your budget to know how much distribution an actor can bring.
 
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