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Where can I find video actors on a budget?

by Nick Brighton
16 replies
I basically need someone to read a script and play it out on camera for me. This obviously takes a bit more work than voice overs, as the script has to be memorized/referenced whilst looking and sounding natural.

I found one website that was charging $700 for a 60 second peice, and the actors were informercial cheese all the way.

I basically need a more "authentic" person to read my short script on camera instead.

Any ideas where I can find such talent without breaking the bank?

I heard Fivver was a good start, but it seems very amateur and I can't imagine someone doing this for $5 lol.
#actors #budget #find #video
  • Profile picture of the author Eddieheli
    Why not just do it yourself?
    After all I bet you talk to people every day at work or down the pub or whereever.
    If you are shy just think about whenever you go into a shop or filling station, you have to speak to someone you've never met before.
    If you wrote the script you will probably be able to memorize it easily.
    Try reading it to yourself into a mirror to build your confidence.
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    Eddieheli -
    "Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will." ~ Dr. Robert Anthony

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  • Profile picture of the author GR Marketing
    Craigslist will be your best bet. Post in the gigs section and you'll get a ton of replies.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
    Cheers guys - didn't think of Craigslist! Good call!

    P.S - The reason I don't do it myself is because it needs to be a woman, amongst other things.
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    • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
      Nick,

      You could try www.shootingpeople.org

      It's a site where UK movie people post and find jobs. There are quite a lot of people there who will work for expenses just to build up their showreel.

      It costs 30 quid for a year's membership.



      Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
    Hey guys, there's one problem... it needs to be an American actor. I just went to Craiglist and they won't allow international accounts to post in their US listings (you need to verify your US telephone number to post in the US site)

    So that sucks... a lot. Anyone fancy posting for me?!
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  • Profile picture of the author Colin Palfrey
    Hi Nick,

    Because my friend makes amateur films, I happen to know that virtually every uni and community center has a local course teaching people to make short films. Seriously, they are everywhere!

    Any of those amateur film makers would be delighted to make you a half hour advert for $200 and they would have the use of all the professional equipment required to do the job right.

    Do a search for "film course" + your area in Google. If you don't find anything using a few variations, contact your local uni and ask to talk to the person in charge of their amateur film course. They can put you in touch with loads of people that can help, cheaply.

    Cheers,
    Colin Palfrey
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  • Profile picture of the author Colin Palfrey
    In that case look up a film course in America, then shoot them an email. They will have loads of people that would love to do the job.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
    Thanks Colin, that's golden stuff man, smart thinking! I only stretched as far as Facebook groups, never thought about local unis, but makes a lot of sense, especially for the budget!
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  • Profile picture of the author Colin Palfrey
    No problem Nick.

    I have learned that uni's and community colleges are pure gold for this sort of thing.

    My friend (wrong accent for your purpose) recently did an advert for a company, and didn't even get paid. He had about 7 people in the ad and he wasn't bothered about not getting paid, as he could use what he did to show other his work. He called on a host of wannabe actors and got them involved, knowing they weren't going to get paid either.

    Amazing when you think about it. There are thousands of these people out there, all sat on their hands idle through lack of marketing knowledge. Actually, I just had a brain wave LOL!

    Cheers,
    Colin Palfrey
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    • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
      Originally Posted by Colin Palfrey View Post

      No problem Nick.

      I have learned that uni's and community colleges are pure gold for this sort of thing.

      My friend (wrong accent for your purpose) recently did an advert for a company, and didn't even get paid. He had about 7 people in the ad and he wasn't bothered about not getting paid, as he could use what he did to show other his work. He called on a host of wannabe actors and got them involved, knowing they weren't going to get paid either.

      Amazing when you think about it. There are thousands of these people out there, all sat on their hands idle through lack of marketing knowledge. Actually, I just had a brain wave LOL!

      Cheers,
      Colin Palfrey
      Yeah, it's crazy really. I guess a good way to approach them is through the vanity appeal. "Hey, this video has the potential to go viral, will be seen by "x" amount of people...blah blah blah"

      Maybe that would get more reaction too?!

      Anyway, I'm going to hit the unis tomorrow and see if I can get through to the right people. I'm sure there will be one biter for a couple of hundred quid!

      Cheers,

      Nick
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  • Profile picture of the author fullmatrix
    Hi Nick,

    I saw some interesting gigs on fiverr about this, you might want to look around there.
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  • Profile picture of the author newtoebookswriting
    there is lots of posts on fiverr from people offering video testimonials. am sure you can get them to act out too
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  • Profile picture of the author debra
    At your local High School or College...in the theator dept. Or just post the job up on thier BB by the class door.
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  • Profile picture of the author nicholasb
    I had this problem one time. So I just asked a few friends until I found one who would do it.

    I gave her $80 and she was thrilled to do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author jrodriguez315
    Your local community theater will be chock full of ham - I know, I'm one of them.
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