Expert: Hyunjin Jo - 11/9/2005

Question
Dear H.J.

Could you please tell me the best way to get acting roles in Independent Films?  Is there a listing or something that I can go to?

Thanks!

Jack

Answer
Hi Jack,

You didn't mention where you located, so I will give you info for Los Angeles.

There's a few places that work (aside from your agent submitting you).

http://www.actorsaccess.com/
Signing up for this site is free.  And the site can send you updates as projects become listed.  It's no charge if you have a rep.  If you don't have an agent/manager, then it is a $2 fee to submit yourself to a project.  This site will have indie films in addition to commercials and print ads, etc.

Backstage West
This comes out every Thursday and you can find it at any newstand or grocery store in LA, but the key is to get a copy Wednesday night (Samuel French has copies Wednesday night).  That way you can submit yourself b mail on Thursday so the casting office receives your submission on Friday.  If you wait for the normal Thursday release of the paper, you won't be able to mail out your submission until Friday--this means that casting won't get your submission until Monday (Saturday, if they're actually working on the weekend, which is unlikely).  The key to this is that there's only a few audition spots available and by Friday they would have already filled all the spots.

sagindie.com
SAG offers all contracts to be able to put out a casting listing via their website.  Most of these productions can use union and non-union actors.

Some others to consider is joining up as a FIND (Film Independent) member.  In addition to submitting their casting book, some indie projects actually do have castings at their offices.  Also check the local film schools (UCLA, USC, AFI, LA Film School).  Some of these student filmmakers will be the academy award winning filmmakers of tomorrow.  You can also check with sites such as craigslist.com and mandy.com, but focus first on the ones first listed above.

Good luck on all your future endeavors.