So I am a first year film student I have tons of nice ideas in my head for short films. The problem is i'm doing this course in a different city away from all my friends. I'm kinda shy and not sure how to go about asking people to be in it as I don't know many people around here. Does anyone have some advice for me?

I did ask a couple of people on my course but they just made some excuse to get out of it.

This depends on the school you are at. If you are in or near LA or NY then it's really easy. Post casting ads online for free in nowcasting.com, lacasting.com (if LA), nycasting.com (if NY). You can get union or non-union actors who will act for free and do a very professional job. Other cities that I know of with such sights include San Francisco, Huston/Austin.

What's harder is if you are in some random place. What I would do since you are on a college campus is post casting notices around on paper with a description of the project, the rate you'll pay (probably nothing), and contact information.

Getting good talen is time consuming, but not that hard if you do it right.

Well as i'm a first year student i'm not really into hiring profesional actors from sites like those (i'm uk btw).

I guess I will have to meet and ask random people around campus then.

There's no bad time to start using semi-pro actors. They will be more into it than a friend just being nice and they too are usually a bit nervous about having the guts to chase thier dreams of movimaking. Plus they work for free.

There must be audition sites in the UK find them and use them and get over your shyness NOW, it will only hinder you. I'm not saying magically cure yourself from it but just fake it and force yourself out of your comfort zone, your future in filmmaking depends on it.

Good luck.

WOW this realy blows....

I got someone to agree to be in my film, but because of work she kept putting it off. Then we finally set a date to do it which still gave me plenty of time to get the project done. That time comes and she changes her mind omfg. I'm gonna have to ask for an extention now and try finding someone else to do it. If my lecturers dont think i'm a lazy slacker and kick me off the course.

The worst thing by far about this film making course is having to rely on other people. Just really blows. :-(

That's never good. That's why you should always ask "are you a douche bag?" before casting roles.

It's a sign of a non-professional and (within reason) you shouldn't tolerate it. Find people more committed and your life will be easier.

Maybe you should just ask them to sign a contract, although sometimes it just scares them away.

It shouldn't be too hard. Just have charisma and be very enthusiastic. If you are at a school for film, or in a class, then there HAS to be people just as willing to do a movie as you are. If you are too shy, then, meet them over the internet. Just be a nice guy and you'll be fine.

Well, its all worked out now. Got someone to do it and it turned out reasonably well for a first project, my camera kinda sucks so the visual quality isn't great but i'm happy with it. Next time i need to think about a back up plan.

Hi, I am pretty new to this community but not in film making... I too had been in the same situation as you are in. I went out in my search of actors and the crew in my locality. I got most of them in my film making college. Being shy is okay but when it comes to film making Nope! Go out mingle with people. Conduct some auditions and get the best crew.