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SMOOTH NEGOTIATING: MAKING THE STAR OFFER
Introduction. Perhaps the most difficult task in financing and producing an independent motion picture project is getting a star to read the script and commit to the project. In most cases, the key to getting a star to commit to an independent project is to make him an offer -- either financial or artistic, but ideally both -- that he or she can't refuse: to be involved in an absolutely brilliant script with crisp dialogue and to play a role that is so unique, colorful and one that stretches the actor's creative abilities to such an extent that he or she simply can't say no while making at least enough money to keep paying the bills. Actors will kill for the opportunity to play the role that will give them critical praise, peer recognition, awards, and an increase in their stature that will allow them to choose other roles that they indeed want to play. While the actor's fee is important, it is in many cases not as important as the role and the script. Indeed, many multi-million dollar players act in movies for SAG scale (most legendarily, Bruce Willis in "Pulp Fiction"), just to play a particular role. It's never easy to create or find these brilliant scripts and exceptional roles, but once you have created or acquired that page turner, how do you get the actor you've set your sights on to say yes? Reading the Script. First you have to get the actor to read it. Hollywood is replete with stories about the script that was thrown over the actor's wall, the one that was dropped in the mailbox, or delivered hidden in a bouquet of flowers. While stars have committed to a project as a result of such guerrilla techniques, in most cases the scripts are not read. More effective methods result from opportunities in which you can create a personal relationship or rapport, or some other direct connection to the actor, where a brief, succinct, but personal pitch can be made directly to the star. These opportunities can be created by participating in as many social, industry,
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