How do you deal with a DIVA?

Okay. I take it all back. Great decision to re-cast and re-shoot! Congrats on being almost done.
Hey, maybe you could post short clips of the two actors in the same scene, let us see the difference.

Cool website, by the way. I love the flapping sound when mousing over the menu banners.
 
I think you should have put pictures up of both the new girl and the "Diva". Then we could have a vote on who you should use.

Just a thought...
 
edited: both photos are on my website.
when i start editing i'll post some blooper clips because people i've told this story to are begging to see :)
 
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Bus No. 8 said:
Okay. I take it all back. Great decision to re-cast and re-shoot! Congrats on being almost done.
Hey, maybe you could post short clips of the two actors in the same scene, let us see the difference.

Cool website, by the way. I love the flapping sound when mousing over the menu banners.
Click to expand...

thanx!
 
chromeboy007 said:
dude... don't know about acting skills but the replacement is prettier IMO
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I agree though I'd choose the diva if I was on death row and had thirty minutes before my execution.
 
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I think it's kind of in poor taste to post a picture of the actress in question. I mean, you didn't post her name all this time, why basically defame her here? Especially without her side of the story or, I'm guessing, her permission.

I don't know. Seems kind of spiteful and rather knocks you off the high ground in the situation.
 
In the future: When you cast or hire someone for your project, Protect yourself in writing. No matter how big or small your project is, take the time to put what you expect from the people you cast and hire in writing and have them sign it.
You don't have to hire an attorney, unless if you have the money...
You can just type up an agreement That stes if the other party doesn't deliver their end of the bargain, give them their walking papers beofre time is wasted.
If you're not paying them ... no harm...
By them signing BEFORE the project starts, they now that you will run your crew and project like a Professional.
They know right off the top and it sets the tone for the time of the project and your reputation....
And ALWAYS have a plan B....
Do you mean to tell me that you can't find a "HOT LATINA" in a red lingerie in your area? :)
By the way,, where can we see a clip of this "HOT LATINA"???
BEST
Ray
 
ajmax said:
You don't have to hire an attorney, unless if you have the money...
You can just type up an agreement That stes if the other party doesn't deliver their end of the bargain, give them their walking papers beofre time is wasted.
If you're not paying them ... no harm...
By them signing BEFORE the project starts, they now that you will run your crew and project like a Professional.
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Employment in most cases is "at will" so firing is not an issue and the actress is SOL. As far as damages to you, you could show harm under the theory of reliance. (I.e. you paid to have a crew and the actress didn't show. or in relying on the actress you put yourself at a disadvantage or received a detriment.) but that is after harm is done.

As far as expressly writing behavior in a contract, you could try I guess, but it is way to broad and subjective. If you want to create a contract as some sort of psychological ploy, fine, teachers use these often for school children (behavior contracts) and the dynamic seems similar in this case.
 
Behavior doesn't even need to be an issue in the contract.. You can just stick to the fact such as...
"Any actions or events no pertaining to agreed duties that cuse produciton and workflow to come to a halt, will result in......"

Something like that....
 
DorkmanScott said:
I think it's kind of in poor taste to post a picture of the actress in question. I mean, you didn't post her name all this time, why basically defame her here? Especially without her side of the story or, I'm guessing, her permission.
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these pictures are already posted on another website i have setup for the movie and all actresses have signed agreements basically saying the photos and video can be used in any way.

i see what you're getting at though. i dont want this to turn into a pissing match of which girl is hotter, etc.

i did do the DIVA a favor and edit the leftover footage that we didnt use with her in it that she struggled through so that she could at least have something for a portfolio and not walk away with nothing.
 
FilmBoy77 said:
these pictures are already posted on another website i have setup for the movie and all actresses have signed agreements basically saying the photos and video can be used in any way.
Click to expand...
Fair enough, dont mind me then.
 
I've dealt with my share of difficult actors. When I first began directing celebrities, I thought I had no choice but to put up with their ego. I directed Malcolm MacDowell and John De Lancie, both of whom are nightmares.

Then, I flew to New York to direct James Earl Jones. He was polite, humble and quiet. He was concerned about the process, not his position.

I quickly realized that there are just as many humble craft-oriented actors as there are insecure prima donnas. And without exception, skilled actors who are humble deliver better performances than skilled actors with a chip on their shoulder.

I had a conversation with Malcolm's agent about this...Malcolm refused to see the truth and I fired him. Since I was a no-name director, a lot of people said it looked like I was the arrogant one.

Since then, I've come up with ways of testing actors in auditions and interviews. The best technique I've found is to use the front room of an audition as an undisclosed test of who they are. I have my assistant take notes on how each actor behaves when they think they aren't being observed. Do they play mind games with the other actors? Are they rude to the assistant? If the assistant makes an error do they handle it gracefully or do they chew the person out?

I'd say 75% of the actors in the front room reveal who they REALLY are while they wait for the audition.

To test the remaining 25% I'll deliberately give odd directions during the audition to see if they'll trust me and go in a direction they don't believe in. I'll ask them to stick around and read across from another actor. If they're willing to do those things then you know you have someone who is open to direction.

If someone is rude to assistant, then I know how they'll probably be the same with the crew and therefore they aren't worth casting.

On my last project I cast 4 roles. 3 were home runs and 1 was a mild prima donna. That's the best result I've ever had.
 
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