Convincing agents/managers

E

Ewan

Hi,

I'm currently writing some screenplays at the moment. I have some ideas for the future, but I'd like to know somethings in advance so I'm prepared for when the time comes. I know how to go about getting an actors agent/manager (thanks to you guys). But I'm not sure how to convince them to be part of the production, especially if the film is independant.

I'm not talking about hiring ultra famous actors, but actors that could maybe be doing a bit better off in other films. What info do I need to give them? Does the screenplay need to be finished and the funding?

Thanks :)
 
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I would never recommend pursuing talent before you finish the script. Remember that the script doesn't have to be perfect and will keep evolving up to (and during) production. But the first thing that any agent or manager will ask to see is the script.

Don't talk about payment until they bring it up, if they give you the chance to talk to their client directly, all the better. In fact, it's worth looking to see whether you can circumvent going through their agent at all. Many bit part actors have personal websites with direct contact email addresses. If you avoid the agent, then it's easier to get people onboard for little or no money.
 
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Ewan said:
I'm not talking about hiring ultra famous actors, but actors that could maybe be doing a bit better off in other films. What info do I need to give them?
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The way you convince an agent or manager to consider your project
is to make a firm offer. But if I remember correctly from your questions
back in April, you don’t have much money to offer. Or none at all. Am
I correct? So you need to convince an agent or manager to allow their
client to work for you for little or no money. Is that what you’re asking?

Ewan said:
Does the screenplay need to be finished and the funding?
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Yes. And a shooting schedule.

Ewan said:
Could someone also please point out the main difference between an agent and a manager when it comes to hiring actors? Is it just the money?
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A manager works with the actor to manage their career - making the right,
long term choices, setting up interviews, making travel and lodging arraignments.
An agent negotiates the deal.
 
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directorik said:
The way you convince an agent or manager to consider your project
is to make a firm offer. But if I remember correctly from your questions
back in April, you don’t have much money to offer. Or none at all. Am
I correct? So you need to convince an agent or manager to allow their
client to work for you for little or no money. Is that what you’re asking?
Click to expand...

I may have some money at the time, but if I do I doubt it will be very much. I understand I may run into troubles if I'm working with union actors.

Yes. And a shooting schedule.
Click to expand...

No problem!

A manager works with the actor to manage their career - making the right,
long term choices, setting up interviews, making travel and lodging arraignments.
An agent negotiates the deal.
Click to expand...

Ah, thanks!
 
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Could someone also please point out the main difference between an agent and a manager when it comes to hiring actors? Is it just the money?
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I always thought that a manager worked for the actor and and agent (AKA Casting Agent) works for the producer. A producer pays the agent to round up potential actors.
 
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Ewan said:
How am I to get the client for a little amount of money though, with the movie not even being guaranteed success?
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You will first approach the actors agent with an offer. You need a great,
finished script that offers the actor a challenge - something they don't
usually get to do. Tell them exactly where you plan to shoot and exactly
how many days you will need their client. You should have a start date,
but let them know it's flexible. Be prepared to pay for their living expenses
if they are from out of town and for all travel expenses even if they live in
your town.

Something very important to keep in mind when you approach a working
actor; this is what they do for a living. Many are willing to help out a low
budget moviemaker, but this is much more than a hobby to them - working
for little money or on deferred pay takes them off the paying market for the
length of your shoot. They may lose money by being in your movie.

Know what you are up against.

First on the list are offers at or above their "quote". A guaranteed paycheck.

Second on the list are scripts from studios and producers for less than their
quote - but these are also firm offers (money is attached, they get paid
when they say "yes"). These are projects where the script and the production
team may be more important than the money - but there will still be a
paycheck. And often a high profile writer, producer or other actor attached.

Third in line are pet projects. The actor has a pet project they want to get
made. When they have some down time they are working on getting their
own, no/low budget film under way.

Fourth in line are scripts from friends or friends of friends. No money attached,
but at least brought to them by someone known to them personally.

Eventually we go all the way down to some total stranger with a script and
no money. Imagine the odds of doing that script instead of any of the others?

Knowing that you are number five on a very long list of scripts being offered
should help you decide how to approach agents. Maybe you could offer a
producer credit to the actor, or a good friend of the actor. Maybe your script
is just that good and the actor will want to be in your movie.
 
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Agents are regulated - managers are not. A manager can be anyone;
parent, friend, sibling, guy down the street. There is a difference
between a talent agent and a casting agent. In general when talking
about “agents” we are speaking of talent agents. A casting agent is
more commonly called a casting director but they can be called either.

mlesemann is correct. The casting director (agent) is hired by the
producer to find the right people. They will contact the talent agents
and they work for the producer.
 
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