Talent Quest: Finding Real Talent for Serious Productions

"Talent" is anyone who appears on camera or whose voice is heard in your video. This includes the unseen narrator, the star, the supporting actors, the bit players with minor roles, and the extras or "atmosphere" - people strolling, sitting, dancing, eating, or rioting in the background of your shot. Hiring skilled, appealing talent is one of the fundamentals of a good production.

In feature films, a large group of professionals takes on the challenge of locating, auditioning, hiring, dressing, feeding, transporting, assisting, protecting, and paying the actors. And in feature films, they have the money for it. But, when low- or no-budget producers need to attract filet mignon talent to perform in a video with a spam budget, how can they duplicate the process? With planning, good humor, creativity, and the occasional coercion, theyre doing it every day.

The Breakdown

The first step in lining up talent is a complete breakdown(script breakdown, that is, not nervous.) The breakdown lists all elements necessary for each scene, including requirements for special effects, vehicles, stunts, music, foley (sound effects,) special hair and make-up, wrangler or livestock requirements, and all talent. Most videomakers dont have elaborate requirements, but the breakdown will help determine how many bodies you need as well as other details that lend credibility. Breakdown forms and software are available commercially, but you can create your own.

Heres how. Use one sheet of paper for each scene in your video. Write the scene number and date youll shoot the scene at the top. List the following elements for each scene:

• Cast Members - Each person who has one or more lines to speak.