I recently was casting a production... here are some stories from preproduction.... from the other side of the casting table.
Dear actor,
Please don't freak out during an audition or on set if the director tells you to direct your eye line to camera left and it is just a grey box and not a human being, especially if we are in a close up shot. Please don't argue with us. Sometimes we use green screen, or are in tight quarters and you don't have anyone to play your scene with and you have to sell the scene with just your face and eyes. Pretend like you are in a theater play or like you are 3 years old again If that helps.
Sincerely,
The other side.
Actors are quirky sometimes. I know, I've acted in a few things can be peculiar too. I don't pretend to be the most experienced at all nor the best, but I've seen many actors, and auditioned them for TV and film, that spend years and years training and sometimes, they forget that it is really all make believe. They get caught up in method, or style, they forget to have fun, they forget to be open to new ways of thinking and doing.
There is a thing called Arteriosclerosis which is the hardening of the arteries being clogged with gunk, fat, whatever. There is a term called Psycho-sclerosis which is a hardening of the soul or spirit. I'd like to introduce another term called actor-ial-sclerosis, which I'd like to say is a hardening of the actor. Taken in this context, it is an actor unwilling to be flexible to new alternative ways of doing things and alternative "reasonable" situations. of doing a scene.
Hey, I know sometimes directors can be demanding or sometimes hard-asses. When I wear my director hat sometimes I've been a major hard ass. But hopefully, you remember why you are acting in the first place, and hopefully one of those reasons is having fun and being open to trying good alternative ways of acting and being... And sometimes directors love working with actors who are collaborative, creative and open minded to help create great visions on screen. Have a great audition and break a leg =)
Be well,
Vincent
My name is Vincent Veloso. I am a writer, producer, director, actor and musician and martial artist. I have worn many hats in my career, learned some things, still learning, but in this blog, I will be addressing my experience and insights making films and music... stories from casting to wrap party... the good, the bad, the really bad and the ugly.... and the really ungood.
I never use real names, and many times I address my concerns on the day directly to people in real time. I point out my own missteps just as much if not more because I have been that actor/writer/producer/director who has made the same gaffes just as much if not more. Hopefully as I address the circumstances, people can gain valuable insight, through story and my experiences, it will give people help. It is not meant to be mean spirited, but like all subjective commentary and blogs, and many other existing advice and commentary articles, I understand that audience perception is subjective and do hope you know that I hope to help others.
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