How do you get people to commit?

Question

I had a great idea for a movie to film with the youth group at my church, however, only a few peopleshowed up for it, and now they want to change my movie. How can I get enough people to commit and film before the summer's over?

Answer 1

Unfortunately the only sure-fire way to get commitment from participants in your film is to get them to sign a contract, which few people are willing to do unless there's money involved. If your film is really low-budge and you can't afford to pay your actors and crew, you might have to just settle for whatever you can get. Whatever you do, don't allow them to change your movie. Do you think maybe you could bribe them by promising to take them all out for a nice dinner once the film wraps? Or maybe you could invite them all over for a post-production BBQ. They need some incentive- filming a movie is hard work! I was in a short film once and even though it only ended up being a minute long, it still took 6 hours of my life that I'm never going to get back, and I dodn't get paid squat!!! Believe me, next time that guy wanted me to do a movie, I said, "no thanks!"

Answer 2

It is called salesmanship. You need to let them talk and hear what it is that they are missing from your movie and then if you can show them what it is you did to accomplish what it is they wanted. Sometimes when people feel you are listening they tend to forget what they themselves are saying and believe that what you repeat to them combined with what you add to it is exactly what they wanted to hear. It is a trick to changing their minds in a hurry. Perhaps you need to approach them individually and keep them apart so long as it suits the movie's purpose. Them being together maybe part of your problem. Try the divide and conquer technique. You have to be the leader. Lead them to do what you want. Good Luck.

Answer 3

That's the problem...people are very unpredictable. If they do not share your passion for the project, you won't be able to count on them. Try to find people who are as excited about it as you are.