Photo Source: Carlos Valdivia
Carlos Valdivia, a junior at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts who has produced many student films, says casting them involves a combination of using the Internet and knowing people. "I use a mix of student and nonstudent actors," he says. "Because I'm in Tisch and it's a creative community, I've met a lot of actors and people I think would be good for a role."
Using student actors, however, is not always an option, as their studies and performance schedules might not allow them to take on extra projects, and some student filmmakers prefer to work with actors not associated with their college. Vicky Du, a Columbia graduate who wrote, directed, and edited her first film while in school, prefers casting professional actors. "There are people out there who are comfortable working in front of a camera," she explains. "They are trained to perform in front of cameras, and that's what you want."
Director Eliza McNitt, an NYU student, sees no difference between using student and nonstudent actors, but she knows many student directors who rely on people they know. "A lot of student filmmakers cast their friends because it's convenient," she says. "I think in this case, it's always more advantageous to cast actors who carry more experience."
To find actors for their films, student directors often use websites such as Facebook or Craigslist, where they can post casting notices (and have them seen) for free. Many also use traditional casting websites like Back Stage or Breakdown Express. "There are a lot of great resources in New York," says Du. "I used a Facebook page…. It had hundreds of headshots, and you can peruse them and contact them via Facebook or via email."
Annelie Tomasic, an NYU film and TV production major, agrees. "My number-one place for casting notices has been Facebook," she says. "Tisch also has a casting source called the Tisch Talent Guild. They send out weekly emails with listings from students looking for actors or certain crew members."
Of course, no one does student films for the money. "We never pay actors, whether it's a student or nonstudent actor," says Valdivia. "When you're working on a student film as an actor, you're doing it to put on your résumé. A lot of older actors do it because they haven't gotten the chance to play a complex role or a lead, and with a student film they get that opportunity."
Actor and NYU student Caitlin O'Connor has performed in six student films and has found them to be valuable learning opportunities. "It's a great artistic experience because we're all growing and working," she says. "It's often collaborative, with everyone contributing ideas. Also, the connections you make working on these films are vital."
Samantha Strelitz, who has acted in more than a dozen student films, has already seen the benefits beyond creative collaboration. She has been referred to auditions and received paid parts as a result of her student film work. "This industry is based on relationships," she says, "and when people like to work with you, they will find a way to work with you again."
Du categorizes acting in student films as "really great free practice that's recorded, synced up for you, and delivered on a USB." She also thinks student directors give performers more of a voice in the creative process. "Student film majors are really open to an actor's interpretation of their script…[and] to new ideas," she says.
Most student filmmakers provide meals for performers and reimburse some of their transportation costs, but the most valuable tangible payment is a copy of the final project, which can be used in building a diverse demo reel.
