Questions about hiring for a local commercial

[indianabc]

Hello All! I own a small business and we have recently started to air commercials on local cable. So far they have just featured my wife and me but I want to move up a little and instead of doing the car commercial type do an actual commercial featuring actors and such.

My video production guy is a newbie as well. He is actually a photographer that has wanted to break into video so he has been helping me with my commercials at a very low cost. I think they have turned out well for what we are doing. You can see them here:

http://youtu.be/9rtCH7uGxlM

http://youtu.be/Js4ZJScM830

I need some information and suggestions. I have the script for the next 30 second commercial. It is going to feature a lady fixing dinner for her dog. There will also be a male role. We have the location and a date. The commercials air on local cable for the northwest side of Indy, Carmel and Zionsville.

What should I figure on paying the talent? I figure it will take somewhere around 6 hours on a Sunday to shoot. We are newbie's, like I said, so we are slow and we experiment with different shots and such.

I know I need a talent release - anything else along the legal lines? The payment will be cash and since it will be under the threshold for the IRS, I won't have to do any taxes or 1099 forms on the actor.

What about makeup and such? Should I just figure that the actor will handle their own or do I need put that in the casting call - that we will not provide makeup and talent should have their own?

[Skerdog]

Good questions that merit an answer. I have none but I'd bet someone on here does. Anyone?

[tychobrahe]

I'd strongly suggest you contact Denise Jaeckel.

[creativetalentworkshop]

Contact the Creative Talent Workshop. Files and files of great talent! www.creativetalentworkshop.com Union and NON Union!

[Skerdog]

Contact the Creative Talent Workshop. Files and files of great talent! www.creativetalentworkshop.com Union and NON Union!

Interesting.

The website you are trying to access has been blocked by the Barracuda Web Filter because it is in the Spyware category.

[creativetalentworkshop]

Tom:

No spyware at Creative Kids or CTW.
Strange it would be found on a reciprocal site.
(Indiana Auditions is listed among others on Auditions page)

Maybe its the Facebook link? Just a thought!


~ Mike

[Skerdog]

Oh it's not related to it linking from IA. The Barracuda in question is the one at my work. Sometimes it gives false positives but thought you'd want to be aware nonetheless.

[thestuntman]

I am coming into this conversation late indianabc. I would suggest hiring a producer to handle all of the logistics of production and personnel. If you have a budget set, a producer can line up who and what you need that fits into that budget. They will also know the answers to most all of the questions. Tychobrahe suggested contacting Denise, and I second that. She will be able to give you the fair market rates for actors for broadcast work. There are some great filmmakers in Indiana. You might also look to the Indiana Filmmakers Network, or even the Indiana Production source book.

http://www.in.gov/film/40.htm

Some of the Indy Area Production companies:

http://www.in.gov/film/40.htm#PRODUC...IES__PRODUCERS

Hope this helps.

Jim