Is there a way to add actors automatically when I download the movie information or do I have to do this separately? I'm sure there is something I'm missing.
Thanks

Actors should be automatically added. Which script do you use ? imdb ?
JeF

yes, they show up in my database but not in the "persons"

Do you mean persons tab in left pane ?
This is because left pane shows by default 'in collection' items (movies / persons).
When you add a movie, it is set 'in collection' by default (according to general settings : see using F10 key) so you atomatically see it in movies tab.
As there could be much persons for a movie (actors, directors, and so), only basic infos are created at movie creation time, so these persons are not set 'in collection' and you don't see them by default until you set those you're interested in 'in collection' by, for instance, downloading infos about that people.
Another way to see them without setting all of them 'in collection' (which wouldn't be wise) is to toggle data output from 'in collection' to 'all data' : Quick Filter > Information output > show all data

JeF

That's the answer I was looking for. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer so thoroughly. I love this program! Thanks again for your time.
Colin

As a follow-on to this, is the "downloading" of actors & directors REQUIRED to have the Dune catalog export function by actor or director?

No, it is not required. There is a special option in the Dune pattern settings: