# 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**](https://scaproduction.depaul.edu/filmmaking-paperwork#sca-general-release-form-and-assumption-of-risk) **prior to filming.**

### **Hiring Talent**

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<summary><strong>CASTING</strong></summary>

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](https://www.backstage.com/))
* Run an independent casting call\*

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<summary><strong>TALENT CONTRACTS</strong></summary>

* All talent must sign a [**General Release Form**](https://scaproduction.depaul.edu/filmmaking-paperwork#sca-general-release-form-and-assumption-of-risk) **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.

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<summary><strong>MINORS</strong></summary>

* 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.

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### **Hiring Crew**

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<summary><strong>STUDENT PAYMENT</strong></summary>

* **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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<summary><strong>REQUIRED STUDENT POSITIONS</strong></summary>

Certain key positions must be filled by currently enrolled DePaul SCA students with student ID numbers provided in the **Project Information Form**:

* Producer
* Director
* Director of Photography (DP)
* 1st Assistant Camera (1st AC)
* Gaffer / Key Grip
* Location Sound Mixer

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