"The Office" - How to Be in a Student Film

Student Films  

One of the best ways to get experience and start building your resume as an actor is in Student Films.  This was the first student film I was in. I had a great time and thought that it turned out really well.  I played "Tim".  Here's what I learned about student films!

• If you live anywhere near a college, chances are there are film or video production students looking for actors for their next project.

• I live near BYU in Provo, UT and UVU in Orem, UT – both have film programs.  This was a UVU student project.  The director had to film his own interpretation of an already existing scene.

• To find student film projects happening in your area, regularly check your local Craigslist page under “Jobs – tv / film / video” and “Gigs – talent”, as well as find out where fliers are posted on campus, especially around the media arts department.

• I found this one on Craigslist.  He had me e-mail him my headshot and resume.

• Student films rarely, if ever, pay, but this can be a blessing in disguise for the beginner actor.

• Student films will sometimes provide “craft service”, or food, on set.  We got pizza on this one!

• Students are often desperate to find someone willing to work for free, and won’t mind as much if your experience level is low.

• The director was going to have me audition, but then just decided to cast me without one.

• As with any gig, these are great opportunities to network with other actors and crew – make friends, and exchange contact information.

• This was the second time I worked with fellow actor Skip Warner, who played David Brent.  We had previously met as extras on the set of You’re So Cupid, and would go on to work together as featured extras in Dr. Limptooth.  We became good friends, and would often joke that we must be the only two actors in Utah Valley.

• Make sure that you arrange to get a copy of the finished product – some of these projects can turn out very well, and can be great additions to your reel!

• It took the director months to get me the copy – I finally got it a few days before I moved from Provo to Hawaii!  If he hadn’t, I still would have pestered him to mail it to me. 

So that's all you need to know to go find a student film to be in yourself!  

Did you think this was helpful, or do you have something to say about the film?  

Leave me a comment below! :)

Who am I?

My name is Alex Denney, and I'm an actor.  Now, don't start scanning your brain for the credits of all of the movies and TV shows you've seen in recent memory, because you won't find my name there.  I don't even live in L.A.  I'm not a famous actor, not yet, but that's the point.  Most people don't go from being a non-actor to a big name star immediately, but you can go from not acting ever to being on film, or "Zero to Action!", very quickly.  This blog will be a place to share the work I've done, as well as knowledge and experience I have and will gain from my journey towards being a rich and world famous actor, so you can learn how you can get started and use the tips I have learned along the way.

 To give you an idea of the kind of work I've done so far, in two years I have:

• Been on the sets of major motion pictures and television shows
• Had lead and supporting roles in several student and independent films
• Had lead and supporting roles in theatrical productions
• Auditioned for casting directors and producers of hit tv shows
• Produced short films of my own

 So whether you are looking for super-stardom or just some fun, whether you are just starting or already have some experience under your belt, I'm sure the videos, podcasts, and articles to come will have something for you!