Often filmmakers get into lazy habits about how their movies should be made. This is only exacerbated by the opinions of ignorant people that get their info on how to make movies from movies about making movies that filmmakers inevitably come into contact with. Everybody knows you need to get a famous actor or personality to be in your movie or you will have no chance, right? Instead of following a Hollywood checklist, let us explore why we would want a well-known person in our film and see if we cannot get those benefits another way.

Fundraising

People with money are often smart at what they do to get money but really dumb at other stuff. They hear that stars open movies to big grosses so that is what they want for any movie they invest in. Plus too many of these money people just want to meet famous people and do not really care so much about making their money back, much less a decent movie. Although a movie with a star has a better chance than average of making more money that without, it is no guarantee.

Attracting Other Artists

It is not just dentists with a nest egg that are beguiled by stars, even directors, writers, and other actors are susceptible. Once you secure an actor of status it is helpful when trying to attract other talent that were on the fence before. There is a certain amount of validation that your project gains with a star attached and it can open doors to attracting a bigger a better cast and crew, but a great script on its own work wonders

Built-In Audience

A star is a star because they have fans. Fans come out to see their movies. When you have a star in your movie you will not have to work as hard to get people to your film. Instead of doing the work of making a compelling script and being certain that the visuals are engaging, you just point the camera at the star and it will all work out. A fanbase has expectations and they will hamper what you can do with your star, so although you would like to stretch their range and do something different you will do so at your peril if you are depending on the fans of the old thing to show up.

Media Attention

Journalists can be just as fawning as Mid-West grandmas. Some are on the entertainment beat just to be around stars and not for a desire to report the hard facts. Their integrity may be disappointing but it is predictable. You make a movie with a famous actor and the press will want to meet to chat about the film and will subsequently get the word out. Media attention is an important part of spreading awareness for certain films but it is fickle and not something to rely upon solely. All it takes is an earthquake or flood for your news to move to the back pages of a magazine or get cut to a couple second mention on a news program.

Stars can bring your film advantages that it otherwise would have to work hard to attain. Stars not only cost money (usually) but they are strong personalities that can quickly take over a production. They are on fire and you can get burned. For those with strong visions about the film and little money, they can put effort into replicating the benefits of a star's participation with a little creativity, some help, and lots of time.