Non-Union Actors

Post something here:

Posted by India Pearl 15 hours ago

I'm not sure if I also made this clear, but sometimes the dvd that they make you if it was burned from their computer it could be encrypted so that the footage can't be taken off, AKA your scene!  I have comedy spots where I was given a dvd and I can't get the dang footage off of the disc unless I use an expensive ripping program.  Also, you don't know how professional the editors were if it's an indie film or a student film, I'm always clear that I want the "raw footage from my whole scene" if I wasn't the lead role and I only had a couple of scenes, this is very easy for them to just drag and click onto something and give it to you.  If you don't have the quicktime or easily convertible video files, it can be very hard to convert those files and edit them for your reel.  (Of course you can always pay someone else to make your reel, but again that's just another checkmark on the expense list if they have to rip footage!)  If you're the lead, of course the full project is great but when I have a smaller role I've been offered to sit down and take a look at the scenes and choose which takes I liked most.  Not that everyone is comfortable asking for that, but just keep in mind that the DVD on its own isn't always the most helpful thing for you to have.

Posted by Susanna C. Whitman 16 hours ago

It's that time of year when they all have to hand in their films. I agree with India Pearl. No need to spend time and energy being adversarial and threatening. Be clear and if things don't work out, move on.

I have managed to get reel almost all the time by making a professional and also human connection with the filmmaker and by persistently following up on email, repeatedly and professionally. In one case, for a paid project it took 3 months, but I got it! I know that some filmmakers don't want to post their films online, but you can probably get your part of the footage from them and not have to rely on a temporary link.

Also, if you want to contact the professors, probably their email addresses are on the university's website under their academic department pages.

Posted by Mary Tennant yesterday

Well we actors can possible ask the student what names their teachers are and ask for their emails. Explain to the student I will ask your teacher about my copy. If I don't get my copy I will write to your teacher. Or we can write to teachers and make this suggestion. We actually convince them this. And I will not actually sue them, but I will be glad to mention to other people don't work with this kid because he/she can't keep a promise.

Posted by Giovanni Alabiso yesterday

Adding verbiage about being paid in a DVD on a waiver or using the contract that has flowed around is a good idea. I have found that knowing the professors at the schools is a big plus because you can mention it to them and then they will pass the message onto the student. And when a student gets that message from the professor, it carries much more weight.

Posted by Anabel Graetz yesterday

How I wish the schools would put in place a policy that no grade will be given to any student until all actors in the film have been "paid" with a DVD or downloaded file of either the final cut or a rough cut of the film.  This would mean each actor would have to sign a statement when they received said DVD or downloaded file.  This should have been the policy all along!!  Better yet, the schools should provide stipends for the actors in these films!

Posted by India Pearl yesterday

I always ask for it, but yes having something in writing is something I have to do now.  You won't get the person to take the agreement as seriously if there is nothing they sign on paper, that way it instills with them that you are a professional, you expect something very specific to get out of the work you are providing, and they more than usually will honor the agreement when they sign it on paper.  You wouldn't even have to go as far as threatening to sue.  I've even tread the fine line of, "I would really appreciate you keeping to our contract as one professional to another" and just keeping it nonthreatening but reminding them that if they want to keep a good reputation for being good to work with, then they need to provide you what was promised.  I had a guy that promised to pay me for a show in several emails and he ended up not paying any of us, but since the cast was so large we just tell our other 20-something actor friends not to work with the guy ever, and he hasn't been able to cast a show since.  Their reputation is just as important as yours, and as long as you remain professional about the entire thing, you should never have to even state a threat and burn a bridge.  Usually the other person will get you what you asked for with their tail between their legs.  And if they don't, then you shouldn't have to care about burning the bridge because you probably won't work with them again.  At that point you can even say the words "take legal action" and they'd probably send it to you the next week!  If a person is a flake, other companies or producers or whoever probably know that they're unreliable or unprofessional, so as long as you remain calm and do what's respectable, burning a bridge doesn't matter in the end with that person.  It won't hurt you in the longrun.

Posted by Alan White yesterday

One thing the attorny who helped me buy a house taught me was that anything written on a contract is legally binding. Even if you write it in by hand before you sign it. So when you before you sign an agreement or waiver you can tell them you are going to write in that you will be compensated with a dvd copy of the film on both copies of the agreement. that way it will be both legally binding, and hopefully just a  reminder to them to send you your copy.

Posted by Lynn Julian yesterday

I am ALWAYS promised a DVD of my "charity" projects, but I only receive one about 75% of the time.  Don't give up.  Keep emailing them, but sometimes, you have to cut your losses and move on.  Even if you DID have a contract, is it worth your time, money and burned bridge to actually sue somebody?

I even PURCHASED a copy of a music video in which I was a "featured extra"...and *still* never received it.  This was done by an industry professional, and not a college student.  I've emailed them several times, but they never sent the DVD.  I don't want to burn my bridge with them...but I don't want to purchase a 2nd copy of the video I DONATED my time to make either.  

Strength Through Unity,

Lynn

Posted by Anabel Graetz yesterday

I now put into the agreement that I must be paid with a copy of the finished film.  Since doing that, I have had a bit more success; far from 100%, however.

Posted by Stephen Provizer yesterday

I would say you've been lucky, which is great. I've tried to make it clear myself, but next time I do one, I'll go with a piece of paper.

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