Directing Yourself

And the funny thing is I just saw Primer. Shane Carruth was pretty good. Apprently he auditioned over 100 actors for his part and found none of them to be good enough so he took it. I think I read that in an interview of his.
 
I used to write vehicles for myself intending to go the Ed Burns route thinking I would be the best to play certain parts being the writer.

I used to think someone else would be the director but soon learned I had to start producing and directing as well if I was to get any project I wrote off the ground.

So, my approach to my first short where I was to act and direct was to ask an experience friend aboard to Co-Direct with me so that he could handle me as an actor so I wouldn't have to wonder if I was doing okay when onscreen.

That seemed to work. However, I gradually put my acting aspirations aside on my own projects and cast myself only in small supporting roles if at all. I still have more acting credits on IMDB than writing or directing but they are diminishing as I mature as a writer and producer and realize that a) I'm taking time away from work that I could do more effectively without having to worry about acting and b) There are plenty of actors as talented (and way more talented) than myself who would benefit from even the small roles I had been taking up in projects.

So, I end up filling in sometimes on local projects that I help out with when they've not got someone for a small role but otherwise I stay off the screen these days.

Of course, the examples of Eastwood and others are not really comparable to the situation described above. I think you'd be better off concentrating on directing if that's what you really want to do, or get out and act in other folks projects.

Kely McClung is someone here on dvxuser along with Stan who does it effectively but being around some in production on Kerberos, I often wished he had a clone so that he didn't have such a stressful position of directing and acting in the movie.

I would love to find a project that I could act in that would be the right situation for me as I do enjoy doing it. However, I'm realistic enough to know that my talent isn't good enough (relative to the particular projects I'm involved with) to justify the extra strain it will put on the production for me to be wearing too many hats (I wear plenty already when I'm producing).

Just my take,

Martin
 
...and that's a pretty good summation, Martin, because if you act in your own film, as I do or Kely does, you are a fool to think you are going to do your best job as an actor. It has to be a calculated choice to decide if your near best is what is best for the film...I, personally prefer to act...then write. Despite directing awards, I'd gladly give it up if I could find a better director or at leat someone who gets what I am doing. I was fortunate enough that Kely came to LA to help on a big part of my new film CREED and I was happy to pass the camera. It is a fine balance between what you need, what you can get, ego, and realism.

Good luck to all who work on their own stuff...I love it but it's hell sometimes.

Stan The Man
 
Yeah, Ultimately I do want a position behind camera, as opposed to acting. However, at this point, I'm just working on small projects (student films mostly) and since they're probably not going to be seen by anyone anyway, I feel alright going in front of the camera to develop my acting skills.
 
if it is not a necessity, I would suggest hiring an experienced actor. If it's not your passion to be an actor, then why do it? Do a class first if you want to learn. Why jeopardise the film...you never know what you might be able to use it for. The problem with a lot of film forums is that acting and writing are often seen as less important than the knowledge of the camera or editing...truth be told, a film is only a strong as it's foundation and it's foundation is the story, the acting, the content...a film is a story told in pictures...yes I've said it before but it is frustrating that the art of these two crucial elements are not awarded the same respect...if you get it, and you're a genius on the other end of the camera, i would bet my butt your life would change...

Do an acting class at a great school if you want to learn the craft of acting...learn about the content. Then you may become a better director too...What you learn at a film school is inadequate. USC has only recently added a stronger acting staff but I respect them for doing so...

My 2 cents (again)

Stan The Man
 
'foundation is the story, the acting, the content...a film is a story told in pictures...yes I've said it before but it is frustrating that the art of these two crucial elements are not awarded the same respect..."Thanks for mentioning it again Stan. No one wants to say it out loud but you can learn the technical side eventually well enough to shoot a film (if you work hard enough). Story, acting take a long time and many can never get an adequate handle on either (let alone master one if even possible). I wrote feature screenplays with a writing partner for an A list actor for a few years (I wrote dialogue that they dug, among other things (I can't spell or use proper grammar worth a damn (maybe a bit of exaggeration)). Acting and story were the only real discussions. Technical production matters never came into play, ever. It was always story and how to make the script work. I came to this forum to learn some of the technical aspects (I own a t2i and a bolex) because I was tired of never getting anything made. That technical info is great and I've learned a lot along with shooting but it doesn't fill the soul. If I felt strongly about my acting I would not hesitate (I'm trained as an actor and playwright (sag-e) to jump in front of the camera. Right now I'll continue to struggle and learn with the gear and my tiny little films. I may be forced to act in front of the camera in a small part this summer but I am doing everything to find the right actor (I think I will).
 
I completely understand the frustrations people have over story being treated second to technical. As a student filmmaker it's a struggle because as a student your technical knowledge is limited and you have to somehow make a story that you can execute. There are so many times when you're trying to get something done from a technical stand point to benefit the story but you simply don't have the resources to do it. Finally, you have to say, "good enough", which is probably not the best attitude to have but you have no other choice. The bottom line is I know the pain of having a shot or two that would benefit the story immensely but being unable to execute the shot due to lack of equipment and experience.
 
I want to encourage as many people as possible to create their own content...I don't want anyone to misunderstand...I just want to really promote that there are two parts to the equation of an interesting shot or scene or movie...its not merely how you shoot it, it what you shoot. How you shoot it might be a matter of cost, equipment, any number of things...what you shoot is purely in your imagination and a well trained imagination only needs ink and paper to write it...THE SCRIPT is the essence. It will make your actors better, your movie better and easier to shoot...Then get a great actor who knows how to interpret the material and the gold is there...

Stan The Man
 
stan harrington said:
I want to encourage as many people as possible to create their own content...I don't want anyone to misunderstand...I just want to really promote that there are two parts to the equation of an interesting shot or scene or movie...its not merely how you shoot it, it what you shoot. How you shoot it might be a matter of cost, equipment, any number of things...what you shoot is purely in your imagination and a well trained imagination only needs ink and paper to write it...THE SCRIPT is the essence. It will make your actors better, your movie better and easier to shoot...Then get a great actor who knows how to interpret the material and the gold is there...

Stan The Man
Click to expand...

Agreed on that one man. If the script is not strong from the get go it'll loose all of it's steam far before the end product is achieved.
 
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