Acting Up?

Are you considering hiring actors for your next marketing or advertising campaign? If so, you're in good company; many businesses use actors to help create compelling and memorable ads. But before you go out and hire your first actor, there are a few things you should keep in mind. In this post, we'll explore some of the basics of working with actors, including tips on how to find the right talent for your project, what to expect during the casting process, and how to ensure that your campaign is successful.

Any video producer will tell you that there are certain situations where it pays to hire professional actors. For example, if you're trying to convey a particular message or emotion in your video, it can be helpful to have trained actors who can deliver the lines with conviction. Similarly, if you need your video to have a high production value, hiring professionals can help to ensure that everything looks and sounds just right. Of course, there are also times when it makes more sense to use non-professional actors, such as when you're trying to capture a more naturalistic feel. Ultimately, it's up to the client to decide what approach will best suit the project at hand. If you do decide to hire professional actors, Boston video production companies are fortunate to have many great casting agencies that will help you find the perfect talent.

A casting agency is a company that works with video production companies to find talent for their projects. When a video production company has a project they are working on, they will contact a casting agency and provide them with information about the project, including the type of talent they are looking for. The casting agency will then use their database of talent to find individuals who fit the requirements for the project. Once the casting agency has found suitable candidates, they will contact the video production company and present them with the candidates. The video production company will then select the candidate they would like to work with and extend an offer. If the offer is accepted, the candidate will be cast in the project and will receive payment for their work. Casting agencies play an important role in video production by connecting video production companies with the talent they need to produce their projects. It's important to be specific in the casting request. When given all the parameters, companies like Boston Casting can really dial in exactly what is needed. Are there lines that need to be read, do the actors need to actually act, or does the video just need a particular look? It's also important to consider end use of the video, as this will often affect the rate. A national commercial spot will cost more than an internal sales video or video "look" book. Make sure you know where the video will play and also, if external, let the casing agency know how long you expect the video to be used. Time constraints can also be a factor in determining rites fees. Whatever the case may be, most production companies will need to have a talent release form signed to make it all legal.

If you do end up using internal talent or employees, consider using a teleprompter, even if the talent thinks they can just wing it. At the very least, producing a script for the prompter will help focus the message prior to turning on the camera.

As video becomes more and more prevalent in our daily lives, more people than ever feel comfortable on camera. It might be helpful to think of the decision on whether you should hire an actor like you would hiring for home projects. Putting a light switch in, or unclogging a drain might be something you can keep in-house. But if you're rewiring the whole house, or putting in a new shower, it probably makes sense to hire out. Video projects work the same way. The more complex the project, the more you might want to hire a pro.