Many projects get financed without names attached so there
are ways.
Getting a professional celeb, director, producer, etc. to provide
a letter commenting on the projects potential success is impossible.
For someone to put their reputation on the line like that is an
unrealistic expectation. If their prediction doesn't work out, the
investors - who invested based on their letter - could sue and
certainly the pro's reputation would take a hit.
Not worth it for someone they don't know. And frankly, I don't
think any accredited investors would pony up the money based
on a letter commenting on the projects potential success. No one
can predict any projects potential success.
If you have a part for an actor (with desirable pay of course) then
that's a firm offer. And that's what you need. If you will be using
the actors to get financing, they become a primary partner in the
production. Without them, you can't get the money. So you aren't
actually making an offer, you are asking for their help.
Many are willing to help out a low budget moviemaker, but this is
much more than a hobby to them. Attaching their name to a project
in order to get financing puts them in a position for more important
then the producer. If their name doesn't draw money their quote
and their reputation in the business can take a hit.
It helps to understand what's happening with the actors you want
to attach to your project.
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 like CRASH
- where the script may be more important than the money - but
there is still money (and often a high profile writer, producer or other
actor) attached.
Third in line are pet projects. The star has a pet project they will
take to the studio or producers with no money attached, but it's
a story they really love.
Fourth in line are scripts from friends or friends of friends. No money
attached, but at least brought to them by someone know 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.
You might have to do things the old fashioned way. Get the script to
a producer who can make a firm offer to a star.