Do you act in your films?

Azmyth

Azmyth

Veteran
For me, I'm just beginning to start planning for a film.. might be a short first.
I'm a complete beginner to making films.
I've worked as a professional wrestler, where we had cameras about...
I've worked as an extra on 2 BIG budget hollywood productions to "see" how things works (I'm guessing indie features are similar.. but with alot less people, and alot less strictness)
I've been on many stages as a frontman for a signed band, who played the hugely popular Yearly Vans Warped Tour with cameras everywhere.
However.... having done all those things.. my areas SUCKS.. for film.

I have to drive at least 3 hrs one way to get close to anything thats going on, and the rare chance when something comes here.. I either miss it.. or something else. Being an extra and all is great.. but I want to get deeper into it. I know that the only way to do that is either A.... MOVE or B.... Make my own. A doesn't look so great because I am married with a son, and own my own house.. and I actually like where I live.

The GOOD thing about my area. Is I basically live in Deliveranceland.. and there are SO many sweet locations for horror movies to be had around here. Actually.. a few months ago George A. Romero's "The Crazies" remake was shot here right down the street.. and I was an extra in that (maybe even featured... dunno yet).

The point is, I enjoy films.. I enjoy watching them.. and I enjoy seeing how they are put together as well as getting in on the acting side. So I've decided to start making my own indie horror flicks myself as a gateway to bigger things that being an extra hasn't been able to do for me. I'm not looking to be a huge celebrity.. just want to do more than just stand in one spot for 12 hrs with 400 other people (not that it wasn't fun.. it was)

So, after reading this long boring story. How many of you guys making your own indie films are actors as well in your own films? Obviously, whoever is best for the parts would still be up for leads... but even cameo roles are cool!

Do you act in the films you make?
 
I eventually want to act in a film I produce but I first want to finish producing the two films we are workling on. I didn't want to take on more than I could chew and either let my producing duties falter or let my perfomance fall short. I think its a tough balancing act to do both and do them well. I suppose the smaller the scale of the project then it might be easier but it doesn't detract from the fact that you will have much more to do in preparing for both jobs. That goes for Directing too. Best of luck to you Azmyth.
 
I recently started studying acting bu directing is my first love. I plan on doing some minor roles in the future ala Tarantino

Why not ?
 
I act in my films...I started creating my own product rather than wait for stuff to happen...it works out pretty well for me but my performance definitely suffers when I do everything...I know many who do the same thing and also do it well...Conversely I know many that do a horrible job of it...

You need a good supporting crew/team and you have to be very good in certain areas...

An example of someone that does it well is a friend of mine Kely McClung who is also a member here...check out his latest film...
(and yes, that's me in the Grey shirt and screaming my head off at the end!!!)

http://www.kerberosbites.com/pages/kerberostrailer_new_music.html

Cheers,
Stan The Man
 
...oh, by the way,...if you are a wrestler, you might notice WCW's Glacier in the trailer...Jason Cross is also in the film!
 
stan harrington said:
I act in my films...I started creating my own product rather than wait for stuff to happen...it works out pretty well for me but my performance definitely suffers when I do everything...I know many who do the same thing and also do it well...Conversely I know many that do a horrible job of it...

You need a good supporting crew/team and you have to be very good in certain areas...

An example of someone that does it well is a friend of mine Kely McClung who is also a member here...check out his latest film...
(and yes, that's me in the Grey shirt and screaming my head off at the end!!!)

http://www.kerberosbites.com/pages/kerberostrailer_new_music.html

Cheers,
Stan The Man
Click to expand...

Pretty impressive trailer, Stan. Good acting all over it too, not the least of which was yours. I thought the young woman was also particularly impressive. I hope you all will keep us posted here as it develops. I'd love to see it whenever it's ready to be shown...
 
Thanks Ted...It's always nice to hear...

I always post upcoming screenings but this is a new section...I will definitely post here being theatre bred as an Actor...I manage the Stella Adler Theater so more than happy to help any budding actors...

Cheers,
Stan The Man
 
stan harrington said:
...oh, by the way,...if you are a wrestler, you might notice WCW's Glacier in the trailer...Jason Cross is also in the film!
Click to expand...


Yeah, I know Ray.. aka Glacier. I was on a few shows with him. He's a really nice guy. I also have seen Jason Cross before, he used to be up at NWA Wildside alot, up in Cornelia. I think he's with TNA now. Glacier is more my style though, the older style wrestling.
 
also, I've got a boom operator, and a bunch of other folks helping me. We kind of decided to break up as a "band" (I'm in a band) and become a film making crew instead. So I have 5 people at my disposal. One has already confirmed being a boom operator, and several others will do pretty much anything asked of them.. so we'll all learn together!
 
Wrong Stan the Man you're the f*cking bad guy, you're the f*cking bad guy!

Awesome trailer.

Azymuth sorry i don't really have anything to contribute except to say that I think it's amazing what you're doing and it sounds like someone needs to shoot you guys (and the backstory) shooting your movie. BTW do you have any photos online of when you were an active wrestler (just interested s'all)

cheers :)
 
pveal said:
Sorry Azmyth what was i thinking?:huh:
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lol sure. I was a small guy... so I did all the crazy high flying action!

l_f791e633bf3611e9acb2e80c2ed2ede4.jpg

l_f49ca6c5e8dd13b426895bfd5f924ca5.jpg
 
I am very rarely in front of the camera...of course I'm not a director, but a DoP, so I usually don't get the chance...I like doing comedy acting, but it's just not usually possible.

Personally I think if you're working on the movie, you should avoid being in the movie.....sometimes this is inevitable, like needing extras and throwing the grips and such(basically people who's most work happens between takes) in front of the camera....but for the most part the shoots that I've been on that were the hardest were the ones where the director feels he always needs to be doing something and ends up not doing what he's supposed to be doing....directing.

If you feel you want to act in your own project, then why not either produce/act in it and have other people in the other roles, or even better try to even find someone to produce and you just basically be an actor and the executive producer....the guy that got the ball rolling.
 
Nick Walters said:
I am very rarely in front of the camera...of course I'm not a director, but a DoP, so I usually don't get the chance...I like doing comedy acting, but it's just not usually possible.

Personally I think if you're working on the movie, you should avoid being in the movie.....sometimes this is inevitable, like needing extras and throwing the grips and such(basically people who's most work happens between takes) in front of the camera....but for the most part the shoots that I've been on that were the hardest were the ones where the director feels he always needs to be doing something and ends up not doing what he's supposed to be doing....directing.

If you feel you want to act in your own project, then why not either produce/act in it and have other people in the other roles, or even better try to even find someone to produce and you just basically be an actor and the executive producer....the guy that got the ball rolling.
Click to expand...

I guess thats what I am doing sort of.

There is no film scene here. The closest is Atlanta, 3 hrs away. So, in order for me to act at all.. I have to either move.. or make my own. So, I'm making my own. I guess you could call me the director.. but I'm more just the guy getting the ball rolling. I have plenty of other people helping, and doing various tasks. Its their vision just as much as it is mine. We are trying to build something out of nothing.
 
i have so far but im a total n00b, only been shooting and filming for about 4 months and all my equipment is under $1,000 worth so far.

Ive found that im really not a great actor, but you work with what you have. I'm currently shooting a documentary and going to shoot another 2-3 min humourous short which will be my 5th and 6th projects.

jon!
 
Azmyth said:
So, after reading this long boring story. How many of you guys making your own indie films are actors as well in your own films? Obviously, whoever is best for the parts would still be up for leads... but even cameo roles are cool!

Do you act in the films you make?
Click to expand...

I acted in my first (cameo) starred in my second, plan to star in the third (a sequel to the first) and will probably star in the fourth. It's fun. Read my book "Action Filmmaking". I talk all about it. You have to get into shape, learn the moves, it helps to take some acting classes (I took acting in college) and it helps to have a few people to draw from, mine are Wesley Snipes, Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp. You may say, "I don't see any of them in your acting." That's because I draw from them, not copy them. But will steal moves from Steven Seagal or Jet Li anytime possible. LOL.

stan harrington said:
http://www.kerberosbites.com/pages/UG_Prison_download.html

This is one of Ray's scenes...bit of a sneak peek...
Click to expand...

A lot of butt kicking happening there. Where did you get your punch sound F/X?

-Nate
 
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I ended acting in my own film (though not on purpose..all based on a no show) but I found that I really enjoyed it nd since then I have been in 3 other films and really enjoyed being involved in any way.
Go for it, you may surprise yourself
 
At the most, I'd just be a minor character/extra in my films. I can't act my way out of a paper bag, but I really appreciate the craft.
 
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