Advice On Finding Actors And Actresses

[derekhhh]

Hello,

I am a lecturer at PSU in Kathu, Phuket. I and the Media Club are trying to begin a few movie projects, but I'm having such a hard time finding Thai actors and actresses.

I have one film which is a feature length comedy, and another film which is about a 20 minute mystery drama.

For the comedy film, I have been in need of a male lead role who looks about 19-23. Surprisingly, although I have advertised in many ways even offering money, I still haven't found an actor. So that movie has been put on hold.

For the mystery drama, I need two men in their late twenties or thirties, another man in his forties or fifties, and another woman in her 30s.

I was wondering if anyone here has any Thai friends who would be interested in being an actor/actress. I'm also hoping someone might have some advice for me on how to advertise for finding actors/actresses.

Thanks for the help!

[steelepulse]

What's the salary range?

[LivinLOS]

Tried thai language social networking..

Hi5 / facebook etc ??

[TheWalkingMan]

Do universities in Thailand have drama clubs or something like that? Maybe you could check there.

TheWalkingMan

[Ciaphas]

Have you tried all the local amateur theatre groups? Does where you lecture have a drama department? I also think trying to make a feature is a too big an ask for most actors, unless you can afford to pay a good wage or you can guarantee the some sort of distribution or good exposure for them. For a feature you are looking at a minimum of 30 days filming and seeing as you work and can only probably shoot at the weekends that's a 15 week commitment you are asking from people. If I were you I would cut the script down to 10 minutes just the three or four key scenes and make that, you are more likely to get commitment from actors if its just for one weekend.

[derekhhh]

Have you tried all the local amateur theatre groups? Does where you lecture have a drama department? I also think trying to make a feature is a too big an ask for most actors, unless you can afford to pay a good wage or you can guarantee the some sort of distribution or good exposure for them. For a feature you are looking at a minimum of 30 days filming and seeing as you work and can only probably shoot at the weekends that's a 15 week commitment you are asking from people. If I were you I would cut the script down to 10 minutes just the three or four key scenes and make that, you are more likely to get commitment from actors if its just for one weekend.

Hi Ciaphas,

I wasn't aware of any local amateur theatre groups... do you happen to know of any? All I know how to do is surf the internet, look at University news, and ask all the thai friends I know. I have tried hi5 groups and haven't found any acting groups, and actually I started one of my own. As for the University, I haven't heard of a drama club of any sort.

The feature film shouldn't be that long for filming. I call it feature because it is around 45 minutes and most festivals classify that as a feature film. The less important actors only have a day or maybe two for acting, but I had planned to pay the main actor because he would be working the most (Around 200 to 300 thb per day, for around 6 hours of his time). So the rest of the actors would only work for 1 or two days. I imagine the main actor would work for about 7-10 days (because my last movie was 25 minutes long and it involved 4 days of shooting for about 6 hours each time).

I appreciate the advice so far all.

[elcent]

Search for Kantana which is a production company and which also has an actor school attached. Ask for an agent to get in touch with you.

Edited December 12, 2009 by elcent

[elcent]

Hi Ciaphas,

I wasn't aware of any local amateur theatre groups... do you happen to know of any? All I know how to do is surf the internet, look at University news, and ask all the thai friends I know. I have tried hi5 groups and haven't found any acting groups, and actually I started one of my own. As for the University, I haven't heard of a drama club of any sort.

The feature film shouldn't be that long for filming. I call it feature because it is around 45 minutes and most festivals classify that as a feature film. The less important actors only have a day or maybe two for acting, but I had planned to pay the main actor because he would be working the most (Around 200 to 300 thb per day, for around 6 hours of his time). So the rest of the actors would only work for 1 or two days. I imagine the main actor would work for about 7-10 days (because my last movie was 25 minutes long and it involved 4 days of shooting for about 6 hours each time).

I appreciate the advice so far all.

You must be kidding, aren't you? 200 - 300 doesn't get you anybody. Extras are paid 700 - 7000 per day plus accomodation, catering. Actors start with 3500/day.

[eljeque]

I pay my maid 100 baht / hour for four hours per day, three days / week for 5 years.

You want "actors" to work for a few days for 200 - 300 baht for six hours per day.

Motorbike taxi drivers would not do it for that salary.

[derekhhh]

I pay my maid 100 baht / hour for four hours per day, three days / week for 5 years.

You want "actors" to work for a few days for 200 - 300 baht for six hours per day.

Motorbike taxi drivers would not do it for that salary.

This a compensation that I would pay students who worked for me. I have asked many of my students and they said that was a good price. For outside actors- yes I know it is much different. But for students who are working to help make films for the media club, but having the money come from me, it's an okay price.

Isn't Kantana based in Bangkok? I would need something more local.

Edited December 12, 2009 by derekhhh

[Ciaphas]

I think 300 a day for amateur actors plus food and refreshments is fine, in the UK we don't pay the actors because they are getting experience and a film for their reel. I don't know of any drama groups in Phuket. A few years ago we shot a commercial in Malta, and we weren't happy with any of the talent the fixer had arranged. So we put posters up in all the local bars, cafes and shops. We had a great response and within two days of filtering had the actors. Have you tried going down this route?