You’ve seen them on the big screen and on YouTube – now, it’s your chance to bring BFFs Robert Pattinson and Emma Stone together for one movie project! HollywoodLife.com can exclusively reveal the tricks of the trade that will help you land a dream cast of ‘Breaking Bad’ stars for your upcoming project.
1. Keep It Comedy-Drama
When it comes to casting, most producers, directors, and writers will agree that it’s best to go for a mix of comedy and drama. After all, you can’t have a serious scene between two comedy stars.
The catch: It has to be a comedy-drama, meaning you have to shoot it as a comedy first and then turn it into a drama at the end. Otherwise, it’s not considered a comedy-drama and you’ll have to redo all of the funny scenes. It’s a pain to do all of that rewriting. So, to avoid any complications, make sure you cast comedy stars in a drama and vice versa.
An example of this would be Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. While they are both incredibly talented actresses, it would not be in character for either one of them to be in a comedy. So, for your project to stay true to the spirit of the original movie, you’ll need to recast.
The same goes for Emma Stone and Robert Pattinson. While they are both incredibly talented actors, they are better known for their comedy careers. Therefore, it would not be in character for either one of them to play a serious role. So, for your scene to have the same impact as the original movie, you’ll have to recast.
2. Look For A Mix Of Young And Old
When it comes to casting, many Hollywood professionals will say that it’s best to go for a mix of young and old. After all, older people have more experience and thus, can bring more to the table. Additionally, if you’re looking to raise money for your project, it’s best to go for a mix of investors. One of the best things about the latest edition of Movie Money is that it no longer insists on exclusive investors. So, if you want to attract more people to your project, put out a call for anyone willing to pony up some cash. In the end, it’s all about the connections you make, so be sure to make the right ones.
3. Focus On The Most Popular Genres
As we mentioned before, it’s best to go for a mix of comedy and drama. When it comes to securing funding for your movie, many investors will want to see how you can pitch them an idea that will make them laugh but at the same time, will make them consider parting with their money. So, give them what they want – make them laugh – but in addition to that, you should also include a healthy dose of the other.
It’s best to focus on the most popular genres when trying to secure funding for your project. If you’re not sure what people want to see more of, ask them. Find out what topics make them laugh and then put those into your script. It’s also important to note that many people will say yes to your project, even if it’s not in their favorite genre, as long as you can make them laugh. So, be sure to put that into your pitch as well.
4. Create A Shortlist
One of the best things about securing funding for a movie is having a shortlist of actors and actresses that you want to see in your project. It’s always good to have a shortlist of people, no matter what. The more the merrier when it comes to filmmaking, but sometimes, the limitations imposed by time and budget can make that difficult. So, having a shortlist is very useful. It can help you narrow your search, eliminating problematic candidates quickly, while also helping you focus on the ones that best fit the role you need.
5. Never Underestimate The Importance Of The Title
The title of your movie is important. Without a good, original title, it’s hard to secure funding for any project. After all, no one wants to invest in something they believe won’t be worth their while. That’s why it’s important to find a title that will grab everyone’s attention. However, that doesn’t mean that the title you choose has to be the name of the movie. In some cases, the producers, directors, and writers of a movie will change the name of the film after it’s released, if they believe it to be inaccurate or misleading. So, be careful about what you choose and make sure to check any assumptions you might make about the movie’s content before investing.
6. Don’t Forget The Power Of A Trailer
If you’ve ever seen a hit film, you know that they usually have a good trailer. Those slick, 30-second teasers usually contain all the key information you need about the film. They’re usually very witty and they get the point across in the fewest words possible. Of course, these are all subjective – some people might hate those kinds of teasers while others might find them to be the best advertising. So, it really depends on what you want to achieve.
Trailers for movies are an important part of the process. Although they’re not always required, they can do a lot to get a movie funded. After all, no one wants to invest in a project they haven’t seen. So, it’s always good to try to secure a trailer as soon as possible after you’ve wrapped filming, so that you can show it to potential investors.
7. Hiring A Specialist To Do The Casting
One of the most frustrating parts of casting a film is dealing with the various actors’ agencies, who get in the way of creating a cohesive team. Agencies, for the most part, are profit-driven and they don’t necessarily have your movie’s best interests at heart. That’s why it’s best to hire a specialist to do the casting. A professional casting director can look at a pile of resumes and find the perfect person for the part, without having to go through all the red tape involved with an agency. They’re more likely to find the person you need and want, regardless of their experience, rather than having to go through all of that, only to find out they’re not available. Plus, they can often get you access to people, whose faces you don’t regularly see, but whose talent you know deserves to be on screen.
8. Be Creative With Your Pitches
Even if you’ve got your shortlist of potential actors and actresses, your search is far from over. As we mentioned before, many people will say yes to your project, even if it’s not in their favorite genre, as long as you can make them laugh. So, be creative with your pitches. Instead of just focusing on the funny bits, tell them the story behind the scenes. It might seem obvious, but putting a human face on your project can make all the difference. Plus, if you can get them interested in the project as a whole, rather than just in the part, you’ll be able to secure their financing without having to re-shoot massive chunks of the film.
9. The Importance Of Relationships
In addition to the above, it’s also important to keep in mind the importance of relationships in regards to getting people to work on your project. Many times, the answer is as simple as just showing up and talking to people. In some cases, it can be as simple as calling a friend, who’s in the business, and asking them for advice. Additionally, it’s very useful to put yourself in the position of a potential investor or collaborator, to see what you can find. Looking for a good read? Why not try out some of the new adult fiction novels that are getting really popular right now? Perfect for those cold winter nights when you want to curl up with a good book.
These are just a few of the things you need to keep in mind if you’re looking to get some stars to work on your movie. Casting, particularly for movies, is a tricky business, but it can also be a lucrative one. With the correct approach, it’s possible to secure any amount of funding you need for your project. Your stars will be just a phone call away, once you start seeing the benefits of creating a strong foundation with a good cast and crew.