I booked my first feature film! I’ve been doing short films (20min or less) and it is so funny how I got the part in this independent feature. I’m writing this post to tell all you actors out there to take every moment you work seriously. Every free film/student project/play you do, treat it as if you’re getting paid a studio salary because Hollywood is small and as you work you will begin to connect to different circles. Before you know it, you will be in the right circle; not that the others were wrong, but those circles were preparing you for this moment…your first paid feature film.
So how did I book this incredible opportunity? Well I worked on a short film that I auditioned for through Craigs List. The Boom mic operator was a writer and he called me to be a part of his pilot he was entering into a competition. The Director of Photography (cinematographer) happened to be a director and his friend finished a horror script and secured financing, in which the director cast me in.
Money was not an expectation, I am still working on projects for reel material, but it was the icing on the cake to hear that everyone would need to take off work for two weeks, so the budget is mainly salaries for actors and production. Very exciting. And it all started with a short film project I found on craig’s list.
I share this with so that you remember that everytime you work on a project for a friend or just for fun, its a project that could possibly get you a step closer to a bigger and better role. Have fun and while you’re at it, be professional; you never know who’s looking to cast you in their feature project!
Ashlee Katrice
