ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

9 years, 4 months ago - Alève Mine

Andrew, how do you mean "common in my discussions"? :)

9 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Hey Andrew,

I'm not quite sure what to make of the video the more I think about it - clearly some of the calls are a bit naive and some a lot naive, but some may have had reasons - "he is older she is younger" casting makes The Constant Gardener by setting up a dynamic of mistrust, for instance. There's also nothing to say in other cases that there wasn't a context.

'Minor sexual act' one, well, I guess that's the script and so better to warn applicants than not?

I can understand why some actors don't want to take certain roles, absolutely. And some of those calls were clearly written by inexperienced first time directors with no real clue, for sure. I'm not convinced they're all as universally bad as portrayed - stick an actor in front of a camera telling them 'oh we have awful things here you're bound to be offended and make faces, and by the way the most dramatic ones will make the cut' is going to get you some strong reactions. They're actors, it's a role.

So whilst it's entertaining for a few minutes, I don't think it tells us as much as it purports.

9 years, 4 months ago - Andrew Morgan

Alève: haha! Maybe I could've worded that better :D

Hey Paddy - bare in mind that anyone with a camera can call themselves a 'filmmaker' these days - and as a consequence I've heard plenty of stories from actresses about productions that think it's ok to tell a cast member part-way into filming the nudity is 'required'.

Whilst the video is clearly intended to be humorous, I'd hope that any newbies watching can glean some useful info from it - my top 3 would be:

1) If nudity is required for a scene, be upfront about it in the casting call and have answers ready for why it's necessary, exactly what'll be depicted and whether or not it's going to be a closed set. You will lose some interest since many actors and actresses understandably aren't interested in appearing naked in your film. If you can't justify it then perhaps it doesn't need to be in there in the first place?

2) Don't fall into the trap of following the same tired old tropes. Take a step back and look at your story from the perspective of different ages, genders and nationalities - perhaps casting that male lead as a female or that younger role as an older one will bring something new and fresh to your story - perhaps having a different racial background with add some additional sub-text that you're missing out on by sticking to stereotypes.

3) When preparing a casting call, put as much effort into your ad as you would a treatment for your screenplay - like all of us, actors are attracted to projects that challenge them creatively, allow them to grow as artists and work with other like-minded individuals. If you want a good response and some great talent on board (especially if you're only offering expenses) take your time and get it right.

and a bonus one - not directly connected with the video:

4) Do your casting and/or first meetups somewhere public - a cafe/coffee shop - whatever. Many actresses are understandably uncomfortable with meeting a producer/director for the first time at a stranger's home - I've heard this complaint several times.