I wanna be a producer!

Jarrod is a fantastic actor, and we are absolutely thrilled to have him on this project, but back in November or so, when we first started thinking about casting, Jarrod wasn't someone who either of us knew that well. Seeing as how we're all sharing a room in Vegas for a week, we wanted to make sure that everyone knew everyone really well before going. We had first asked another actor to play the part of Aldo. He was someone who I had worked with previously and, like Jarrod, is predominantly a theatre actor. We had been in some classes together and were friends. We took him out to a business lunch to try and court him for the film. The following will be a few of the mistakes we made at our lunch and in the process of asking him to do the movie, plus, a few things that you might want to think about.

-Don't go to the restaurant at a busy time. If you have no other choice, make a reservation.

-Make sure you have your credit/debit card or enough cash on you to cover whatever anyone orders. Plus $10.

-Make sure you, (the producer), have your wallet.

-Pick up your actor. Don't rely on them to find there way there or to be on time.

-In addition to that, make sure that they aren't dropped off by their embittered girlfriend who is not only jealous of his possibly of being in a movie, but doesn't like you because you're a female he's friends with.

-When the actors first response to being asked to be in the film is "I am interested...but I don't really want to be on a weeklong out of town trip without my girlfriend....but if you can cast her in it, I'm all ears", just give up right there. It's not worth the hassle to try and convince them otherwise, no matter how good of an actor they might be. Even offering pay does not work.

-Should you not take the advice to pick up your actor and arrive before they do, don't fill up on bread and appetizers so that you wind up not eating while your actor is eating all by themselves. This not only further isolates them, but makes the meal that much more longer and awkward.

-Don't eat while pitching the story. Food in mouths and talking are not a good combo.

-Maintain a business atmosphere and a sense of professionalism.

-Make sure you have a copy of the script that the actor can keep, regardless of their interest in doing the project.

-In addition to the script, provide a one page outline.

-Let them order whatever they want, with the exception of hard liquor. You don't want them drunkly agreeing, and then leaving you the morning after.

I think that just about wraps up this post. If I come up with more, I'll add 'em on. Or if you yourself have any additional comments, feel free to leave them. Have a great day, kids!