DVXuser is for film making

I think it would/should not be expected that actors (pure actors, not indy filmmakers who also act) found DVXusers and hook up forming an actors-usercluster. And from my perspective (starter, with a DVX an general interest in most of the disciplines that are split up around in these forums) it makes sense that there is a section about (dealing with) actors/acting like this. What I'm trying to say is that I'm glad it's there this way.
 
There are quite a few experienced actors who post in this forum, which in fairness to DVXuser, was added quite recently. While I'm no Mel Gibson, I'll presume to include myself in that list. I'd say go ahead and start a thread on whatever topic you'd like to discuss and see what happens. I bet you'll get a very nice return on your investment. I check in here often, so if I have something to add to the party I certainly will...
 
There are way TOO many places that actors chat but on half of those boards they are not actors but those who want to be actors. The most experienced are seldom on those boards.
 
Acting boards are good for finding out other peoples opinions on photographers, good classes, stuff like that mostly. Like Michele said, you're not going to find someone with years of experience on those forums.
 
I was just curious as to how actors feel about what projects they work on are shot with.

Do they care? Is it something that would hinder them from working? Like for example, would it matter to you if you walked on set and the film was being shot with the small HMC40 or even smaller Canon HV series cameras? they all have excellent image and capabilities.. do actors really care?
 
I see you asked the same question on Backstage. No, actors could care less what their project is shot on but rather it is shot in a professional manor by someone that actually cares and will do their best to tell a story.
 
At this point in cinema's evolution, great images can be captured on modest equipment, and crap can still (as always) be captured on high end gear. I have yet to be fortunate enough to do anything on 35mm or high end digital in my fairly short career as an actor, but I have done 16mm stuff that looks horrible, and HVX200/HDV stuff that looks great, and vice-versa. Even some of the stuff I've shot myself in SD on my old Sony TRV950 (with lighting) looks better than some of the 16mm stuff I've acted in.

So as an actor I certainly do care about image quality, but not necessarily cameras in particular. What I see in a monitor (when possible/permitted by crew - it's often inappropriate to ask) is certainly telling, and I can usually sense whether it's going to look good or not by the lighting and set design. Insufficient light, especially with adapter-equipped camcorders, is a dead giveaway, and it happens all too often even without adapters. Flat, overly diffuse lighting is also a common problem.

I'm very technically oriented myself, so I may not be typical in this regard, but like you, I believe that pretty modest cameras in good hands can make great images, and that's all I care about as an actor. Show me a great looking scene and I won't give a rat's ass how you shot it...

Except to learn whatever I can from your brilliance for my own future shooting... : )
 
Azmyth said:
I was just curious as to how actors feel about what projects they work on are shot with.

Do they care? Is it something that would hinder them from working? Like for example, would it matter to you if you walked on set and the film was being shot with the small HMC40 or even smaller Canon HV series cameras? they all have excellent image and capabilities.. do actors really care?
Click to expand...

No, unless it impacts the result. I would be a little skeptical if I show up on set and they are shooting on a Handy-Cam, but would reserve judgement until I see how it looks. The framing and lighting are key.
 
Have any of you actor-types posted your reels up here? Maybe make a sticky? I'd love to see them.
I think that would help boost the actors sub-forum.
 
I am not sure there are too many actors forums like this although there are many good filmmaking boards. I can only guess...and this is my opinion, that actors are a lot more guarded with their info. I am an actor and I can tell you the last thing you want to ask anyone is "who is your agent"...filmmakers are more open to sharing their discoveries and realize that sharing information just helps everyone grow...there is a rivalry as there is in anything but i feel actors are just not that willng to give up their resources so willingly...I think these boards are still good for actors and smart ones should cotton on to the fact that there is work to be had here...this is where filmmakers go and I, infact, have had actors submit to me off of here...A smart actor will check it out...IMDB and Backstage and other sites have forums...there are some other smaller private ones...getting a response is usually scarce unless it's a discussion about a movie...

If you are here...dont give up on it...look on the various sections...you'll find a wealth of useful info on how to get involved in projects...at least that's a start, right? Trying to find where to get headshots and good acting schools can be easily sought out at Samuel French or similar stores...I have also seen posters giving good feedback here too so I also agree that there are some fairly experienced people on these boards.

For what it's worth, I manage The Stella Adler Theater Los Angeles...I think reasonable credentials...I try to get on whenever i can and am more than happy to answer questions.

Best,
Stan The Man
 
The whole subject of actors working in non-union films should be of great interest here, because dvx users talk about union and non-union movies in the same breath, without distinguishing them from each other. There are many discussions here about budget that don't bother with drawing the distinction either.

From an actorial perspective union and non-union movies are totally different. Corrado was the most popular thread here and what few people talked about was that Corrado was a SAG project -- that is union, and people think they can do a Corrado with no-union actors; that is a total misconception, it can't be done.

So somebody says that they're inspired by Corrado and want to do a $15,000 movie. Well, that's impossible. In fact, Corrado can't be done even for $500,000 as a SAG project even if the filmmakers had the skill to do it, because Adam had the unique ability (that can't be bought with money) of securing SAG talent when he was making his first SAG movie. That's another thing; nobody has that kind of credibility with making their first SAG movie. If you're an independent filmmaker making your first SAG movie and you want to get name talent (not just SAG), you have to have the money in the bank and show proof of it before the agents even talk to you. Only assistant agents will talk to you until then, and the only thing they will say, "Show us the proof the money is in the bank (escrow account) and then submit the screenplay with a firm offer."

So back to non-union movies, which I like to make, and the need to find actors that will do the job. There are good actors who are working their way toward becoming SAG actors and if you're lucky to find them here on this user group, then we should all be helping each other get them to work with us. Because SAG actors have earned their place and you can be pretty sure they will act professionally, but non-union actors haven't learned all the necessary skills to do a professional job.

If you're not paying actors and asking them to do it for a DVD copy of the movie, meals and transportation, then you have to find a way of casting the right actors.

Now I'm talking only non-union:

If you're shooting 35mm, actors are more interested. But I found out that by shooting 35mm alone, many actors were wondering if I knew what I was doing. So if I had used my Sony Z1 together with a ten member crew then they'd be more impressed. So I think it's the size of the crew and the results that matter most to actors, because digital is all they're going to see -- so few movies unfortunately ever get screened theatrically.

I'm hoping to find some actors for my next felliniesque movie, which I will be shooting alone. All I can is look at my movie THE RED QUEEN if you want to get an idea of how I work. I love the movie myself, but the actors weren't impressed by it I guess. That's my impression, and it's primarily because I shoot alone.

1127478907_l.jpg
That's me shooting with my Arri 2c. I recorded the sound later and synched it in Final Cut Pro. I love to shoot alone :-)
 
I like zaza's idea...have actors post their reel...that would definitely get looks!!! At least I would look at it...

Stan The Man
 
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