Hiring Talent & Crew
Students performing on camera in SCA student films are not permitted to take payment for their services. Students may work pro bono or as volunteers on student films.
All talent, paid or unpaid, must sign a General Release form prior to filming.
Hiring Talent
CASTING
The Production Office maintains a large online directory of local actors’ resumes, headshots, and one-minute monologues voluntarily submitted to SCA to help filmmakers with casting.
The Theatre School (TTS)
TTS students are generally not available to work on non-thesis project student films due to their rigorous schedules.
SCA students may contact the Production Office with casting call information to share with TTS for potential Summer shoots.
Do not contact TTS faculty directly with talent requests.
Casting Tools
Alternative Casting Options:
Contact talent agents directly
Online casting tools:
Breakdown Services – Parent company of Actors Access
Backstage – Free general access for students (backstage.com)
Run an independent casting call*
TALENT CONTRACTS
All talent must sign a General Release Form prior to filming. (See Insurance for Talent in the handbook.)
Talent contracts and related paperwork must be signed before shooting, or the production may be delayed.
MINORS
Each U.S. state has labor laws for working with minors. Illinois follows the Illinois Child Labor Law, regulating hours, mandatory schooling, and on-set rules.
Talent under 16 must have a parent/legal guardian present for all auditions, rehearsals, and recording sessions (except for currently enrolled DePaul students).
All SCA productions featuring minors must notify the Production Office during pre-production and maintain appropriate paperwork for at least two years.
Allow several weeks to procure these documents prior to shooting.
Hiring Crew
STUDENT PAYMENT
No enrolled DePaul University students may receive payment (in any form) for work on a fellow student’s film.
Students may hire professional crew outside the University for non-key crew positions on their student film project, following standard industry practices and legal requirements for taxes.
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