How Do I Send Sides to Actors?

How Do I Send Sides to Actors?

When working in film, television, or theater, sending sides to actors is a crucial part of the casting and rehearsal process. Sides are the specific scenes or portions of a script that actors are required to read, memorize, and perform for auditions or rehearsals. As a casting director, producer, or director, it’s essential to know how to send sides to actors effectively to ensure a smooth and efficient audition or rehearsal process.

In this article, we will explore the steps involved in sending sides to actors, the different methods of distribution, how to handle confidentiality, and some tips for making the process as efficient as possible. We’ll also include examples from real-world situations that showcase how professionals in the industry handle sending sides to actors.

1. Understanding Sides: What Are They?

Before diving into how to send sides, it’s important to clarify what exactly sides are. Sides are typically excerpts or selected scenes from a script that an actor will be asked to perform during an audition or rehearsal. They may contain only a portion of the dialogue, focusing on key moments of the character’s arc, or specific lines the actor needs to prepare.

These scenes are used to assess an actor’s ability to interpret the material and perform the role, often without requiring the actor to memorize the entire script. In auditions, casting directors will typically provide sides that represent the character’s core moments in the story to get a sense of how well an actor can embody the role.

A. Types of Sides

1. Audition Sides: These are the scenes that actors are provided with for the purpose of auditioning. They are often short and focused on the most essential part of the script that highlights the character’s personality, conflict, or emotional range.

2. Rehearsal Sides: These are the portions of the script given to actors in preparation for rehearsals. These sides may be more extensive and could cover entire scenes or key moments that will be worked on during the rehearsal process.

3. Final Sides: Once the actor has been cast, the sides may evolve into the final version of the scene for rehearsals and performances, often reflecting the most polished version of the script.

2. Why Is It Important to Send Sides to Actors?

Sending sides is an essential step in casting, rehearsals, and preparations for a performance. For auditions, sides serve several key functions:

• Showcase an Actor’s Ability: By sending specific sides that focus on key moments or emotions, casting directors can assess an actor’s suitability for the role.

• Time Efficiency: Not all actors need to prepare the entire script, so sides allow them to focus on the material that will highlight their talent and fit for the role.

• Confidentiality: Sides also help protect the confidentiality of the entire script, particularly for highly anticipated films or TV shows with complex plots.

For rehearsals, sides serve to focus on particular scenes that will be worked on in-depth, allowing the director and actors to zero in on character development, pacing, and overall performance.

3. How to Send Sides to Actors

Now that we understand what sides are and why they are important, let’s explore how to send them to actors. The process varies depending on the production’s scale, the actor’s status (i.e., whether they are a known actor or a newcomer), and logistical factors such as location and the timeline of the project.

A. Determine Which Method to Use

The method you choose to send sides largely depends on the scale of the production and the level of confidentiality required. Here are some common ways to distribute sides:

1. Email: Emailing sides is one of the most common methods for sending sides, especially for smaller productions or when dealing with professional actors who have access to digital devices. When sending sides via email, it’s important to attach the sides in a clear and accessible format, such as PDF or Word document.

   Example: For a commercial casting, a casting director may email the sides to actors, including a brief introduction to the role, a breakdown of the scene, and any other relevant instructions.

2. Casting Platforms: Many modern casting platforms, such as Casting Networks or Breakdown Services, allow casting directors to upload sides directly to the site. Actors can access the sides through their personal accounts and download them securely.

   Example: For larger studio films, casting directors often use platforms like Breakdown Services to send out sides to a selected group of actors who have been invited to audition. This platform ensures a streamlined process, and actors can easily download their sides and keep track of audition appointments.

3. Secure File Sharing: For highly confidential projects, especially when dealing with A-list actors or top-secret scripts, using secure file-sharing services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer can offer more control over the distribution process. These platforms allow you to set permissions, ensuring only the intended recipient can access the files.

   Example: When Star Wars: The Force Awakens was in production, the filmmakers took extra precautions to ensure the script remained confidential. Sides were shared securely through private cloud-based storage, and only the actors involved in the specific scenes could access their parts.

4. Physical Copies: In some cases, casting directors may send physical copies of sides, particularly for theater auditions or projects that are taking place locally. This method, though less common in the digital age, may still be relevant for certain productions or to reach actors who are not as comfortable with digital technology.

   Example: For a theater production, the director might hand out printed copies of the sides during the audition itself. This allows actors to read through the material in real-time and may lead to a more organic performance.

B. Make the Sides Clear and Accessible

When sending sides, it’s essential that the material is easy to read and follow. This helps actors focus on their performance rather than struggling with unclear formatting or incomplete scripts. Here’s how to ensure that the sides are clear:

1. Formatting: Use a clean and readable font (such as Times New Roman or Arial) with adequate spacing between lines. Ensure that the scene description is clearly marked, and the actor’s lines are easy to distinguish.

2. Include Context: Don’t just send the lines—include important context such as the scene’s setting, the character’s emotional state, and any relevant background information that helps the actor understand the role and the situation.

3. Highlight Important Information: If you have specific notes for the actor, highlight or bold them so that they are easily noticed. For example, if you want the actor to perform with a particular emotional tone (i.e., “angry” or “sad”), make sure that’s indicated clearly.

4. Length: Ensure the sides are appropriate in length. Audition sides are typically short (1–2 pages), while rehearsal sides may be longer depending on the scene. Keep in mind that actors often have limited time to prepare.

Example: For The Hunger Games, when casting for the role of Katniss Everdeen, the casting team sent sides that included specific details about Katniss’s emotions and motivations. These sides were formatted with clear breakdowns of what the character was feeling in each moment, which allowed the actors to give an authentic performance during auditions.

C. Include Detailed Instructions and Deadlines

It’s important to provide actors with detailed instructions on how to prepare the sides and any relevant deadlines. This helps ensure that the actor is fully prepared for the audition and can meet your expectations.

1. Preparation Instructions: Include any specific instructions on how to prepare the sides. For example, should the actor perform the scene straight, or is there room for improvisation? Should the actor focus on a particular emotion or physicality? Let the actor know what you expect from the performance.

2. Timeframe: Include the date and time by which you need the actor to review or perform the sides. If they are to submit a self-taped audition, make sure they know the deadline to submit the video.

Example: When auditioning for a major role in The Dark Knight, Christian Bale received sides with a note on how to approach the character of Bruce Wayne. The note specified that Bale should approach the role with a more somber tone, as the character was dealing with the aftermath of the Joker’s rampage. The detailed instructions ensured that Bale’s audition aligned with director Christopher Nolan’s vision.

4. How to Ensure Confidentiality When Sending Sides

In today’s digital age, confidentiality is a significant concern when sending sides to actors, especially for high-profile projects. Scripts often contain sensitive information, and leaks can significantly damage a production’s surprise factor or storytelling integrity.

A. Use Watermarks and Digital Rights Management (DRM)

To protect against unauthorized distribution, you can add watermarks to the sides that include the actor’s name or identification number. This ensures that if the sides are leaked, you can trace the source. Additionally, using DRM tools can help prevent unauthorized access or printing of the sides.

B. Include Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

In many cases, especially with major studio films, actors are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before receiving the sides. This legally binds the actor to keep the information confidential.

Example: For The Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios required every actor to sign an NDA before receiving any sides or scripts. This helped ensure that crucial plot points and surprises were kept under wraps until the movie’s release.

5. Conclusion

Sending sides to actors is a critical part of the casting and rehearsal process in film, television, and theater. It’s a tool used by directors and casting teams to assess an actor’s ability to embody a character and to prepare them for an audition or rehearsal. By choosing the right method of distribution, making the material clear and accessible, providing detailed instructions, and ensuring confidentiality, you can ensure that the sides are effectively communicated to the actors.

Whether you are casting for a small independent film or a major studio production, understanding how to send sides and how to make the process as efficient as possible is key to ensuring a successful and productive casting process. Following these best practices will help you build a strong relationship with the actors and set the foundation for a successful production.

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