How does one motivate their cast cheaply and effectively?

Okay, so we're filming along, and I'm noticing some of the cast is becoming slightly--bored of the whole process. What is a good way to motivate (they're both almost teenagers, 15 and 12) them cheaply? I've got only a few days more to film, and without proper motivation, the film will not get completed (WHICH IT WILL....). The cattle prod short-circuited after the first hundred prods. Any ideas?

 

Encourage them constantly. Make them feel like you're getting out of them what you want, even if you need to ask them to do another take. If they see you feeling good about it, there's a good chance they'll feel good about it as well.

Do that with sincerety, and you should be good. If not, they probably didn't realize acting is indeed a time consuming and even at times difficult process. Not your fault or theres, but something to consider next time you cast a film.

Hope that helps some.

Peace

~DK~

 

*grumble*

 

Beer n Porn or for kids Coke n Xbox

Cheers

Toph

 

If you really need to motivate them that much you're not making a fanfilm with the right people.

Cya
Mike

 

There's a book called, "The Five Love Languages" that says there are five ways to express love (friendship, romantic, etc.) and appreciation. These can be modified to help in motivating employees, children, and friends. Try these basics:
1. Words of affirmation (good job, etc.)
2. Physical touch (a pat on the back, not too much, etc.)
3. Acts of service (help them out in something they need)
4. Gifts (x-box game)
5. Quality time (take an interest in their lives and hang w/them)

Why not throw a little party. Tell them it's a thank you. Give them gifts, a pat on the back, and just hang with them. That might help.

 

A big stick. Better with splinters.

 

...and rusty nails pounded through one side.

 

Have you shown them some of the movies here? If not, that might help.

Even better. Run a short scene through post, with effects and all. Let them see themselves.

 

The best way to motivate your cast and/or crew is with food.

Honestly, food is the the most important thing.

 

Talk to this guy named Vader. HE will find new ways to motivate them

 

Punch and pie. Never fails.

 

I gotta agree, food is the answer, that's why even in the star wars behind the scenes documentaries you always see the food cart. George Lucas obviously knows the power of food to motivate people

 

Seriously... why does everyone think they have to bribe their cast?

Don't you have FRIENDS.

Cya
Mike

 

Actually I prefer to cast and crew the most professional people I can find, then feed them well to make them my friends.

I wonder what Lucas likes to eat...hehe.

 

How does one motivate their cast cheaply and effectively?

Nail on a stick.




For the love of Valen, kidding.

 

I know when I was 12 I would get really pumped every time I would see one of the Star Wars films. Try taking them to see AOTC. (and if that doesn't work I would defenitly consiter that whole rusty nail on stick consept. That'll work)

 

Wixmmmm, I have friends. And I am a producer in my town for many Rap groups. I make the music for the sometimes and we always are cooped up in the studio. They're always enthusiastic because they like being around all the equipment and such. For me, it gets tireing basically hitting record, punching a few buttons and sliders and saying "Lets do this one more time", etc...

I REALLY get bored sometimes, because the actual process is long, hard and boring. But I always tell myself that the results are what count. And as boring as the whole thing may seem, if you don't aspire to achieve good results, you won't get anywhere.

If I were you, I'd REALLY show them all these Behind the Scenes DOCOS of Broken Allegiance, Knightquest and such. Most of these usually show the happy face of the process of filmmaking. But you should tell them to look at these people and their enthusiasm. They're thinking what this film will look like when its finished, and thats why they're working as hard as they can.

If your cast and crew dont carry out their tasks with enthusiasm, either they DON'T want to see this film turned into a masterpiece and be able to say "Well! It WAS worth it!" or they just feel that they didnt want to get there in the first place.

Carl

 

Nicely said carl.

 

Thanks all for your ideas. It's not really too much of a problem...they're fairly motivated (I recharged the cattle prod). I've already shown them the behind the scenes stuff from Broken Alligence as well as most of the fan films on the site (their favs being Duality, Essence of the Force, and the Alternative Lightsaber Duel). I just wanted to know just in case sort of thing. I told the younger ones I'd get them anything they wanted at a local restaurant. We finish filming in a few days.

 

For the love of Valen, kidding

I do hope you didn't mean to take His name in vain...

*reaches for pike*

 

I don't understand all of this "bribing" garbage. It isn't bribing at all. Some people are going to be into it after going for days, some won't. I was working on a 35mm production a few years back, I was 2nd Assistant Director, and we had a point where we worked forty hours straight, all went home for two hours of sleep, and came back for the next "day" of shooting. Very intesnse, but for an amazingly lucky 10th grader at the time(I'm 19 now), it was a dream come true. Legally, I wasn't even allowed to work over 12 hours then, they kept telling me I could go and I kept telling them "no, I have a job to do." It was amazing, I loved every minute of it. As a director, you do need to motivate your actors, both in character and otherwise. Nothing giant, but just take a moment to laugh with them and that could be all it takes. I was directing people who had been in Forrest Gump and Major Leauge 3 (the extras, but still) and I had to make sure they knew where they were coming from, as well as make them feel needed. These we're 30 and 40 year old guys (and girls) telling me I was better than the 2nd AD's on Forrest Gump, because not only did I know how to use them as actors, but I cared about them first as people, not tools.
So see, it comes full circle. If they know you care, and they're into it even after a long day... they might just tell you they're having fun and that you, too, are doing a good job.

Don't bribe, it isn't real then... motivation is an art that can only be perfected with sincerety.

Peace

~DK~

 

aww no money??

 

When motivating, there should never be any material medium. If not, it turns into the infamous "Take out the trash, son, and I'll give you $5", which is OK, but this person will have a hard time at doing things for nothing material as a reward.
Giving off an emotion such as motivation expects en emotion in return, in this case yielding and/or results.
The fact of not promising a reward or sum of money in return will help make that person understand what is needed or required from him: His dedication, and just for the sake of it. If not, this person will think "Oh! If I do this, I'm gonna get that, yay!". This is the easy way, of course, to bribe someone. You are free to use this method but why not use the other direction? Why not help your crew members develop as human beings while you're at it?

Carl

 

It may sound silly, but FEED THEM. No doubt, these people are working for free. Making sure they're well fed will not only keep their energy up, but will show you care about and appreciate the effort they're putting out.