Directing my first short film soon....and doing a small role

[Michele Seidman]

Hey everyone...

Ok, I am taking some advice from folks here but I am only giving myself a small part with a few lines. I wrote a script and sent it to a friend who has directed and written several features that have been made and asked him to give it a once over. He actually liked it and for free...punched up two weak spots...and he corrected all my novice mistakes.

So, I am in the very early stages of pre-production and once I figure locations and costs (already know talent budget)...I am going to list it for funding.

Here is my first question....do I go indiegogo or kickstarter? Might need to post this question on another section but I will wait to see who replies here.

Since I am directing, do you all think it is a mistake for me to do all my own casting? Should I get someone else to do the first round?

I am pre-casting the male lead but leaving the rest of the parts open. I may have a named actor for a cameo performance so I need to go find out about the SAG agreements next. I will go check some other threads where links were placed already but feel free to post them here in case my search takes forever.

One other question and this one is really for the actors...

The lead actor is organic...so is the named talent...but I know some method actors I want to audition. If any of you are method I would like to ask you how you would feel if the director asks you to drop the method during auditions? Would that be an insult? Some actors use it well and others get too carried away with it. Since some of the characters are going to be really nasty people...I don't want actors coming in acting that way and thinking I will deal with it on set.

When the camera is not rolling, I want everyone to enjoy their time together and not deal with one or two actors who think they need to live the character 24/7.

Just so you get it...one character is a child molester, one a rapist, etc etc...so I do not want to deal with an actor behaving that way when the camera is not rolling. Suggestions from any method talent?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Michele

PS...for those of you who never got to see me in ALMTF by JDS...here is the link

http://vimeo.com/15485654

 

[rsbush]

I always admire your straightforwardness here. So here's my gut reaction.
I am method trained by teachers who got it directly from Meisner, Strasberg & Kazan. If you asked me to "drop the method" in all truthfullness I would think that you don't know what the hell you're talking about. If you told me your concern, that you don't want someone who feels they need to live the character 24/7 because of the tension and discord that can create on set, I would assure you that that's not how I work and I feel it's a misunderstanding of the method by actors who feel they have to work that way. And, to the best of my knowledge Stanislavski, Strasberg, Kazan, Meisner, Adler, Hagan, Clurman, Lewis... never suggested such a thing. So what I'm saying is, if you are very clear about your concerns, then method actors shouldn't be offended. If you ask them to "drop" the method, you are asking them to "drop" their technique and they just might be offended. Hope this helps.

 

[Ted Spencer]

Since I am directing, do you all think it is a mistake for me to do all my own casting? Should I get someone else to do the first round?

My guess is no, it wouldn't be for you, given your extensive experience, and especially for a short, but if you know someone you trust in this regard and they're willing to help out, I'd go for it. Everyone has blind spots, so another competent voice in the room will probably be very useful.

I would like to ask you how you would feel if the director asks you to drop the method during auditions? Would that be an insult? Some actors use it well and others get too carried away with it. Since some of the characters are going to be really nasty people...I don't want actors coming in acting that way and thinking I will deal with it on set.

When the camera is not rolling, I want everyone to enjoy their time together and not deal with one or two actors who think they need to live the character 24/7.

Just so you get it...one character is a child molester, one a rapist, etc etc...so I do not want to deal with an actor behaving that way when the camera is not rolling. Suggestions from any method talent?

I understand the dilemma when one is casting for sociopaths! Moreover, 'Method' actors aside (and I'm not one), there's always a chance that the best audition will come from a *real* sociopath, let alone an actor (like Dustin Hoffman, AFAIK) who works by getting into it full-time once cast...

To give yourself a little cover, first I'd make sure that the 'meet and greet' part of the process is not overlooked, to get a sense of who they are personally, as well as the resume check, of course. On the method question you might simply want to inquire, once you have your top choices, about their approach before you cast them. While I think it is a major no-no to interfere with an actors process once the part is cast, in this case in particular it might not be unfair to ask *beforehand* how they approach a role. I think your rationale is quite sensible (no 24/7 psychos on set please!), so a simple question about their process in advance seems equally fair. So I'd just be completely upfront - express your concerns about on-set decorum with actors who approach roles by 'living them'. If they say yes, that's how they do it, then you have your answer, and can make a reasoned choice. If they say no (as I certainly would), then you have that, and can choose accordingly.

Once you've cast and are rehearsing/shooting however, I think that train has left the station. You are certainly more than entitled to direct their performances, but how they work to develop and refine them internally is their business. If you've done your due diligence in advance, and explained to everyone that no matter what, extracurricular psychopathy is verboten, I think you'll come out fine in the end.

My $.02

 

[Michele Seidman]

I always admire your straightforwardness here. So here's my gut reaction.
I am method trained by teachers who got it directly from Meisner, Strasberg & Kazan. If you asked me to "drop the method" in all truthfullness I would think that you don't know what the hell you're talking about. If you told me your concern, that you don't want someone who feels they need to live the character 24/7 because of the tension and discord that can create on set, I would assure you that that's not how I work and I feel it's a misunderstanding of the method by actors who feel they have to work that way. And, to the best of my knowledge Stanislavski, Strasberg, Kazan, Meisner, Adler, Hagan, Clurman, Lewis... never suggested such a thing. So what I'm saying is, if you are very clear about your concerns, then method actors shouldn't be offended. If you ask them to "drop" the method, you are asking them to "drop" their technique and they just might be offended. Hope this helps.

rsbuh oh thank goodness you corrected me. I was tired when I wrote that and you did read between the lines well. Thank you for getting it. I don't want them to stop using what works, I just don't want to deal with one of those rare ones who can't drop the character, especially since they will be playing some bad characters.

My guess is no, it wouldn't be for you, given your extensive experience, and especially for a short, but if you know someone you trust in this regard and they're willing to help out, I'd go for it. Everyone has blind spots, so another competent voice in the room will probably be very useful.



I understand the dilemma when one is casting for sociopaths! Moreover, 'Method' actors aside (and I'm not one), there's always a chance that the best audition will come from a *real* sociopath, let alone an actor (like Dustin Hoffman, AFAIK) who works by getting into it full-time once cast...

To give yourself a little cover, first I'd make sure that the 'meet and greet' part of the process is not overlooked, to get a sense of who they are personally, as well as the resume check, of course. On the method question you might simply want to inquire, once you have your top choices, about their approach before you cast them. While I think it is a major no-no to interfere with an actors process once the part is cast, in this case in particular it might not be unfair to ask *beforehand* how they approach a role. I think your rationale is quite sensible (no 24/7 psychos on set please!), so a simple question about their process in advance seems equally fair. So I'd just be completely upfront - express your concerns about on-set decorum with actors who approach roles by 'living them'. If they say yes, that's how they do it, then you have your answer, and can make a reasoned choice. If they say no (as I certainly would), then you have that, and can choose accordingly.

Once you've cast and are rehearsing/shooting however, I think that train has left the station. You are certainly more than entitled to direct their performances, but how they work to develop and refine them internally is their business. If you've done your due diligence in advance, and explained to everyone that no matter what, extracurricular psychopathy is verboten, I think you'll come out fine in the end.

My $.02

Ted your two cents are a value...

oy veh...ok..I have to come back to this later. Actor knocking on the door....I shall return to this...

 

[vic777]

Here is my first question....do I go indiegogo or kickstarter?

I am also interested in the responses you get here ....

Since I am directing, do you all think it is a mistake for me to do all my own casting? Should I get someone else to do the first round?

I think you should cast it yourself, especially because you also wrote the script, I would cast based on the reel the actor presents, not so much the actual face to face, I use the face to face to try to gage the actors intelligence and work ethic. If the actor has no reel, a more traditional casting approach is required. A lot of times if the actor is the "one", I know immediately when they enter the room. The jumping thru hoops part of the audition is usually not necessary.

 

[Ted Spencer]

A lot of times if the actor is the "one", I know immediately when they enter the room. The jumping thru hoops part of the audition is usually not necessary.

You must be psychic...

For me, an actor's ability is completely undetectable until...they start acting (or attempting to do so).

I wonder if you're judging too much (or almost entirely) on appearance, which is regarded by many knowledgeable folks as pretty much the 'quintessential' casting error...

No offense though...maybe you actually do have a sixth sense where this is concerned...

But I doubt it... : )

 

[Michele Seidman]

I am also interested in the responses you get here ....I think you should cast it yourself, especially because you also wrote the script, I would cast based on the reel the actor presents, not so much the actual face to face, I use the face to face to try to gage the actors intelligence and work ethic. If the actor has no reel, a more traditional casting approach is required. A lot of times if the actor is the "one", I know immediately when they enter the room. The jumping thru hoops part of the audition is usually not necessary.

No one has made much comment on the indiegogo kickstarter question. Not even in PM. I wish some folks would. On casting myself... maybe another time. It is based on something that happened when I was in my early 30's. I want to cast it age appropriate. I have my male lead set in stone and the rest are still in the air.

 

[Ted Spencer]

Michele, I have no personal experience with indiegogo or kickstarter, but I do know a pretty fair number of people who have been quite successful with them, as well as a musical equivalent called PledgeMusic. I think if your financial goal is not too unreasonable you might find it very effective. Quite an intriguing new development in fundraising I think.