Recruiting Actors

Due to my music video involving quite a few party scenes, I decided I should get together a big Facebook group/event to invite people I know to get involved with it. The print screen below shows the detail, and this method of attracting potential actors worked very well, and I felt confident about it.

However, nearer the time, I found that the people on Facebook were actually not available for filming/didn't really wan't to be in it that much, or were working.


I then decided to try different methods of attracting actors...
Firstly, I created a poster, which I would be putting in the register packs (school tutors pick these up for their classes in the morning, which contain newsletters and letters etc).

I tried to make this poster as bold and attractive as possible, then went into school early to slip them into the register packs. I decided to insert them into all year 10,11,12 and 13 tutor groups to target GCSE and A Level Drama students.

But shortly after this, I was told I was not allowed to put posters in register packs without consulting the health and safety officer/person of the school, but after talking to her, I was told that I could have students in the music video, but only A Level ones as the video would be going up on YouTube and parents may not like it, unless I make permission slips etc!

This is the letter of permission that I have made for my actors to sign/get their parents to sign in order to take part in the video, and to say that they are fine with being up on YouTube...

Permission Letter for Participants

As part of my A2 Level Media Studies portfolio, I am required to produce a music video, digipak cover and digipak magazine advertisement. My music video would be to a song called “Flashback” by Calvin Harris.

The video itself involves scenes of partying/dancing and will take place in the drama studios of The John Bentley School and my back garden.

Drama studio scenes will be taking place on Monday 1^st November from 3:15pm to around 5 o'clock, and garden scenes will commence on Thursday 28^th October from 5:30pm until around 7:30pm, but this may be subject to change.

Dress code is party-wear (dresses and heels if possible, shirts or other party clothes for the boys), but if taking part in the garden scene, it is sensible to bring a coat or warm clothes to put on. Also, if you have any props which would be suitable for such scenes, please let me know.

My music video and other ancillary tasks would eventually be viewed by teachers and examiners. The video will also be uploaded to YouTube for vital critical feedback. In order to be able to put this video up on this website, it is required that I have your permission to do this in the form of a signature from either your parent/guardian if you are under 18, or sign it yourself if you are 18 or over.

Thank you!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I give my permission for my son/daughter...................................................., to participate in this music video, and to possibly be photographed.

Signed (parent/guardian/self if over 18):.............................................

Date:..................................

Even with the large amount of posters I put out, nobody had replied! I decided to send out a mass email to everybody in year 10/11/12 through the school email system, and I also asked if I could put a note out in the school newsletter:

"Hello,

If you're a GCSE/A-Level Drama student, and you have some spare time to be in a music video I would love to hear from you!
I'm looking for people to be in my music video - different roles are available, you can even dance if you feel like it.

Filming would be taking place at some point during half-term (dates to be confirmed), and also at the beginning of next term after school in the drama studios.
The scenes I will be filming are fun party scenes etc, and the video would eventually be up on YouTube.

Please email me back if you're interested, any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Shannon

(sp1mayo@aol.com - out of school hours)"

Unfortunately, I only got two replies - a boy in year 10 and a student in year 12, but at least this was something!
Just before filming the party scenes, in a last minute attempt to round up a few more people, I went round the common room and was able to find people who would kindly be in the video...(around 7 people agreed)
None of these people actually turned up.


In the end, I managed to get some people to be in the video! My friend Lucy seemed the most enthusiastic about being in my music video, as she wasn't featured in my production last year, and wanted to be a part this year. I chose her because I thought she would look good on camera and had the right look I wanted - the blonde hair and blue eyes.
Originally, I wanted to cast Lucy's boyfriend; Jack as Calvin Harris, as I had seen him do some very good lip-synching to a song, but unfortunately he was too scared! However, Jaye was very interested, and had the right look for the part, so I chose him. Jaye performed very well as Calvin Harris, as did Lucy as the main character!

Official Cast List

Main girl......................................................................Lucy Carr

Calvin Harris...........................................Jaye O'Farrell-Stevens

Other lip-synching character...................................Lauren Holt

Poi Artist.......................................................Charlotte Jackson

Party People.......................................................Jack Epplestone

                                                                Mike Patterson

                                                                Becci Bates

                                                                Sam Hunt

                                                                Mark Nigh

                                                                Others

Strict Parent.....................................................Linda