Low-Budget Independent Films Offer Footage for Actor Reels

Appearing in a small low-budget independent film without pay can help your acting career, but people must be able to see the film or you must receive the raw footage for your actor's demo reel for it to be worth your time.

Low Budget Films in Your City

There are many independent films being shot all over the U.S. because anyone with a miniDV camera who is a filmmaker on the side can film a movie.

We are not talking about a $14 Million Hollywood budget film that comes to your city. The guy down the street who shoots a film as a hobby while off work from his Insurance Agency job can help you - under certain conditions.

You can spend 18 days filming a movie, missing time with your family, getting off work, etc.

But after the filming has ended you will only receive unfulfilled promises and maybe receive a DVD in the mail 2 years later - after you have forgotten about the film, or have better footage for your reel.

Receiving Footage for your Actor’s Reel

Sometimes agreeing to a film can also help you if you can receive footage from the shoot to use in your actor's reel.

Many filmmakers take forever to edit the footage they shoot. It is not uncommon for the movie to be shot but never be released.

If you participate in a small, low budget film that people will never see, you need footage for your reel NOW, not in two years. This is important that you do not lose sight of this goal during the hectic stage of casting and filming. Always be aiming for footage.

Filmmakers usually do not want to release footage until they release the finished film. This should be unacceptable to you. You don't want a DVD. You want a copy of your raw footage on a miniDV cassette - not a DVD. By receiving your footage in a miniDV cassette, you allow others to edit an actor's slate for you. A DVD is a pain in the ass for editors work with.

So, if you are agreeing to appear in a film that you are unsure will ever be released in theatres, only agree to appear in you can obtain your raw footage within 7 days and offer to pay $50 for any duplication costs. Get this promise in writing and do not let your excitement about being chosen for a role make you lose sight of your goal: you must receive you raw footage within 7 days after filming is complete.

Filmmakers will say they need time to sort through the footage to find the best scene. This is bullshit. Get your footage promptly or do not agree to act in the film.