Student Film

     Coming from a strictly theater background, with no friends in the biz or around, imagine my thought process of how to break into film.  Why of course, I went to where you go to get anything you need: CRAIGSLIST!

     Now, I'm not putting down craigslist.  But I'm just going to say that a website that also let's people post pictures of their dicks might not host the best opportunities for an up and coming actress.  I moved out in January of 09, and I did ONE student film.  A student film, for those that don't know are just what they sound like.  They are film school students making their own mini-movies.  The equipment is at most times hand-me-downs, and things are a little less organized than a real set.  In my case, I submitted for a rush casting that was filming that night.  I was so eager to shoot something I jumped on even after reading the poorly written script (students often write their own material, or re-do a famous scene from another movie for projects).

     I don't know who I called, but I let someone know that I was going to meet a group of dudes at some downtown apartment at midnight.  It seemed like the wise thing to do.  Once I got there I did my scene that consisted of being tied up, dragged out of a closet, and letting them trace a real knife with fake blood over my face.  I cried real tears and I let them stain my clothes.

    Student films don't pay, and many times they don't even feed you(which is why we all actually do film, sets must feed you every 6 hours).  Even though I called the director several times from the student film I worked on, I never even got a copy.  Nowadays I delete all student films out of my casting submissions (no longer digging around craigslist).

     However, if you are a young actor green to screen as well, I would suggest the "craigslist student film" way for a bit.  As much as my experience really turned me off, it is a good way to get footage for your reel, which is your video resume in a way.  Directors will ask for them a lot when you submit for things, and they show a great deal more than a headshot.  Sometimes you can be cast just off a reel.  Here, I will post an example of a kick ass reel. 

 BE IMPRESSED BY KEVIN BROOKS HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoDC8g7wR9s&feature=player_embedded#!

That is my homie Kevin Brooks, he is not doing student films anymore either!

     Moral of my story is do student films if you don't have anything else to show how super you are on screen.  You won't get paid, and you can't force them to give you a copy of what you do, so make sure you jive with the people you will be working with ahead of time.  Be sure to request the script and read it through before you say yes, they are asking you to donate your time, so don't be afraid to ask some consideration from them as well.