Actors trying to take over my role, director!!!

crzyns

crzyns

Active member
I'm an indie filmmaker who's still attending school, and am about to start my first feature film. I've written the script, found locations, bought props/costumes, providing food, doing chreography, directing, producing, editing ETC... (I LIKE to work alone)

Some very very inexperienced actors are working for me for free, only now they want to take over directing, do the choreography....... bla bla bla... all I want them to do is act. Should I just give them the flick?
 
When you say they want to take over the directing etc, how do you mean? is this an on set problem? or just from conversations? Are they like, pushing you off or are they just offering services?

Regarding your point on working alone - that's all good and well, but you should definitely be open to working with people on things like editing, locations, sound, whatever - filmmaking is a collaborative process and sometimes it's better to have extra people around. I'm not saying you shouldn't write shoot and cut the film yourself - but you might want to get used to having other people around if you want to get further than making films in your basement.

If you are seeing trouble now, you need to consider giving them the chop. Film is a stressful process sometimes and the last thing you need is people mucking around and not doing what they are supposed to do.

You are in a position that many other people, including myself are in. We don't live in L.A, we live in the other side of the world where not everyone wants to be the next Tom Cruise, or even gives a damn about films.

We have to work with who we can find, who's available. I try to find people that want to be actors badly. Instead of people who are interested in acting but only a little. Sometimes you find the occasional person that hasn't done any acting before and really delivers on the screen, it varies. Use your judgment.

A feature film is an epic battle, and respect for that. But no way should you do it unless your actors are 100% with you from the beginning. They need to be more than just interested, they need to be passionate or it's not going to be very good, and your experiences on the set will be a real drag.

You should let them know that you're not looking for another director, and you don't need this and that, you just want good, hard working reliable actors. And if that's not them - and they are really going out of their way to take over your job even after you have asked them not to - then chop 'em. Just remember that they might just be really keen to help you out in something other than acting!

Chris
 
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ChrisHurn said:
I feel your pain. Been there with the lame actors thing. Not so much trying to take over, but just being useless.

When you say they want to take over the directing etc, how do you mean? is this an on set problem? or just from conversations?

If you are seeing trouble now, you need to consider giving them the chop. Film is a stressful process sometimes and the last thing you need is people mucking around and not doing what they are supposed to do.

You are in a position that many other people, including myself are in. We don't live in L.A, we live in the other side of the world where not everyone wants to be the next Tom Cruise, or even gives a damn about films.

We have to work with who we can find, who's available. I try to find people that WANT to be actors BADLY. Instead of people who are interested in acting. These people are rare, but if you can find them, grab hold and don't let go.

A feature film is an epic battle, and respect for that. But no way should you do it unless your actors are 100% with you from the beginning. They need to be more than just interested, they need to be passionate or it's not going to be very good, and your experiences on the set will be a real drag.

You should let them know that you're not looking for another director, and you don't need this and that, you just want good, hard working reliable actors. And if that's not them - then chop 'em.

Chris
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Thank you!
Yes, these guys are the lame actors type... I can't afford real ones YET. They have taken the script, modified it all to suit them, and are telling me what they'll be doing, and how they'll be doing it. They're telling me to do this with the camera and bla bla bla... TELLING ME.
It is getting quite annoying. But what they are suggesting just stuffs up the whole film... if they get their way, the movie would have AMATEURS written all over it... more so then it would've done at least :grin:
 
I suggest you just give them a talk and say what your intentions are, where you see the film. Ask them what they see with the film and what they think about this and that.

On the bright side of things, at least you have actors that feel strongly enough to make suggestions at all! If it's really getting in the way and they won't back down - then you might have to consider getting other actors, because you don't want people telling you what to do on the set.

Suggestions are fine - so, if an actor says "Hey how about I try this" or "I think this should be a close up" then that's fine - that's more than fine in fact - it's encouraged. But when they start taking over, that's when the line is drawn and you should consider replacing your actors (if a talk with them doesn't work!)

Either way - sort out this stuff before you get on set.

Chris
 
crzyns said:
Ha ha ha lol... yes, I'm putting my foot down!!! (well, i will during production!)
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Better start now. good luck. I have an actor that is a wanted felon on my first film ( www.myspace.com/themovietorn ) he had no car, no money, and was general pain the ass so I know what you will go thru in a sense. I will never work with him again despite the fact that he was a good actor and had a role in HBO's the wire. But I ran the show and I made sure that he knew that. I gave them the freedom to ad-lib as long as it stayed on the same path. Sometimes other ideas work, sometimes they don't. But you cannot allow anyone to walk on top of you. Period. Plus my AD is a huge 300 pound psycho, He is still learning but I love putting him in charge. :Drogar-Evil(DBG):
 
I think a lot of times is who you start the Production.

What I like to do is put my actors on edge from the beginning. I call them by their last names "Mr. or Mrs So-in-so" So I'm professional and distant.

But you also need to make sure that your prod quality is up to par - they may see some big mistakes that you are making. so it also might be wise to figure out what they are saying and why.
 
crzyns said:
Ha ha ha lol... yes, I'm putting my foot down!!! (well, i will during production!)
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Don't wait for production.
If you want to use these actors then you better start with proper communication now, not once you're on set.

Set is for shooting - not for working out interpersonal problems.
Nip it in the bud, or find new actors - just my 2 cents.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
Don't wait for production.
If you want to use these actors then you better start with proper communication now, not once you're on set.

Set is for shooting - not for working out interpersonal problems.
Nip it in the bud, or find new actors - just my 2 cents.
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Agreed. Arrange a meeting before the shoot. Do so in person.

:thumbup:
 
Yep. If you wait, you are screwed.

But look at this as an opportunity. Every director has to deal with actors who want to change things. This will give you practice dealing with that. Communicate with them and see where they stand. They may have legitimate, constructive suggestions. But it is up to you to decide what is valid, and if they are not willing to work with you under those circumstances, then it's time to part ways. For better or worse it is your movie, and you are the person who makes the final decisions.

My guess is that there is one person at the root of this. Someone with a very strong personality that is used to controlling things. THey probably even have good intentions and don't think that what they are doing is out of the ordinary.

The two things I struggle with most as a director are dealing with people, and assessing what input works, and what doesn't.
 
Fire them all and find people who want to act. They've already taken liberties with the script and are dictating terms to you. It will only go downhill from there. Save yourself a whole lot of heartache and headaches and start over from scratch. You'll find good people and they'll be better than these guys.

Remember you are the director: so direct.
 
I had an actress (not a lead player) on my last corporate shoot try to renegotiate her agreed rate during the shoot. The script and tasks were detailed and agreed on well in advance. There were no hidden scenes or agendas. She just felt she deserved more money even though the rest of the cast was very happy with their pay rate. I change my shooting schedule so by the end of the day I had the actress clean a bathroom toilet. I sent her home afterwards with no call back.

Do not wait to pull your cast aside one at a time before the shoot to remind them the chain of command. This is your shoot. You call the shots.
 
Working with people is the most difficult part of filmmaking. Knowing when to give in and knowing when to stand up for yourself.

Don't let them walk over you, but at the same time, don't be too harsh. If they're new to acting, they probably probably think it's just a for fun thing. Let them know it's serious business and you want their input, but not commands.

Good luck!
 
puckthemad said:
Fire them all and find people who want to act. They've already taken liberties with the script and are dictating terms to you. It will only go downhill from there. Save yourself a whole lot of heartache and headaches and start over from scratch. You'll find good people and they'll be better than these guys.

Remember you are the director: so direct.
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Don't fire ALL of them. Find the one who's the worst at it and make an example of that person. Others will think twice before pulling something like that. And if it continues, fire the next person.
 
Yup. Fire them. You don't have a choice if they won't follow your direction.

I'm amazed how many good actors are out there who want to work towards building a reel. You can find a suitable (if not better) replacement. Hold some auditions.
 
There is alot of thread to read... but my first response to the original post is THIS:

Should I just give them the flick?
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YES. Absolutely. If that is even a question then you should not be directing.
 
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