This is from a Director of films. I did not write it, but I agree with his sentiments and felt it was worth sharing with my friends who act or work in the film industry: Sigh. I dont understand why actors are pissed when I announce the casting on a film project Im on and I get e-mails like Why didnt you tell me? or What did I do wrong?. Im gonna go on a limb and give it to as honest as possible. Dont expect anybody to CALL you. We have hundreds of applicants and we cant possibly call all of you with an analysis of what you did or didnt do. Thats what acting class is for. We are not an acting class. We are a production company. The thing is, that very attitude itself just screams out Me Me Me Me. Yes, you expect people to give you attention, treat you special. I have to say... stop this attitude right now. Film making is a group effort. Even when I chose Chad as my director, this was after years of knowing him and being convinced he knows that a production is not just the director, its everybody involved. There is no one person in production that deserves any better treatment than what his or her job vocation calls for. We are not your mom and dad holding your hand to tell you everything is awesome. Were here as professionals to create a product to entertain our audiences. We understand that for every work of art, we will get more people hating our work than loving it. But we dont seek out the pats in the back or the glitzy photos because were ready to die for our art. This is why we work in 112 degree weather in conditions forbidden in chain gangs or freeze our ass off and risk hypothermia to get the shot. Actors themselves require the discipline to stress their soul out into the world while enduring these conditions as well. When I was shooting Dracula, my actors had to wear 4 layers of leather in 104 degree heat with a high humidity. In the night, the temperatures would drop drastically and their sweat soaked clothes make them shiver. All the while... they had to focus on their characters. When all is said and done, Im very glad that none of them came away with any sense of entitlement. I am humbled when I see them at work and I consistently look for these types of actors to surround myself with. My decision not to cast you has no basis on whether you did a good job or not. Many other factors are included in the decision making process from chemistry, screen presence, adjustment and the all important number of takes. For example, a lot of people may see two actors who NAIL their auditions on take one and cast these people. Not me. Why not? Its called economics on set. I usually choose an actor who can nail it on take one and another that takes some time to adjust to the character to get it. This doesnt mean the second actor is not as good as the other. In fact, that actor proves to be a valuable tool on set. If I had two actors that are great at first takes but tether out after that, by the time Im resetting my shots up for the close ups, I have burned out all my actors. At least with an actor who needs time to adjust to the scene, I can do close ups on him / her after I burn out my Take 1 actors. And I get consistently powerful performances all day long. In Strange Blood, chad has to make those decisions. For me, its also seeing Chads chemistry with the actors and how he gets along with them. Do I feel he inspires them and do they inspire him? Even if he likes an actor, I might choose against it if I see them merely as tools for him, but there is no spark between them. The same chemistry I see between actors on auditions, I can also see between them and the director. So this is my explanation on how I decide on the right actors for the part. A lot of the time, its intuition as well. I cant explain this to every actor I decide not to cast. Even if you were my friend, there are many factors that go beyond just your acting abilities that finalizes my decision making process. To the actors who got the part. Congratulations. Its a wild trip with us. We all end the day as family and friendships that continue for many years to come.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 06:21:22 +0000
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