Actor Growth

Wow, what would you as an actor do in this situation? Remember about the schedule changes I talked about earlier in regards to a particular production? Well, today was supposed to be the shoot day. Guess what? Like literally 40 minutes before the set call time the guy tells me that due to a conflict they need to replace me and that they were thinking of bringing me in for a different speaking role.

Here is a quick summary of the conflict they allege which is the reason for the change and why I am upset. Essentially, this is an extremely low budget film where there is a large cast of actors that agreed to work on a deferral based on the roles we were offered. We all even signed contracts for it too. As you can imagine, the production is heavily understaffed. However, many of the actors volunteered to help whenever they could. Example, I saw one guy acting as like a production assistant.

The day when I was called on set they didn’t even shoot my scene as intended. Instead, they spent a lot of time shooting a different scene. Now for that scene the director wanted some extra bodies for atmosphere purposes where people would wear uniforms. So, it is kind of like a background extra where for the most part you are usually a blur.

However, there was no one else available. So, the producer mentioned that he wanted to slip me in one to help out. I was a little hesitant as I was like the only Chinese actor in the whole cast it seems with a fair amount of dialog. Therefore, if the camera even catches my face a bit in the background it will be bloody obvious that I was playing two characters. But, he reassured me that it would be okay and that I still had my original role.

While shooting the scene I was directly behind the other actor. What happened here is that the director said he wanted me to show a facial reaction as if I was shocked about the situation. Immediately, I was worried about this as if you are giving me a direction like that then that means I am extremely visible and featured in the shot. I even asked the director if that is going to be okay considering I am supposed to be seen later for my main speaking role.

He then smirked at me saying it would be okay. So, we shot the scene. Even I thought it was funny that they didn’t shoot my scene that day and script wise a lot of other actors noticed that a ton of dialog was cut out.

Months went by and they kept changing the schedules over and over again for my character. Just like less than a week ago as I mentioned, I even cancelled and adjusted schedules with other productions to adapt to this one. My original commitment was with this production and so I stuck with it and there was no notice whatsoever about anything changing even with the phone calls I made to them.

So when I got this phone call the last minute I was just thinking to myself, did they have this planned all along? Was I duped where they did this just to get my help as an extra body? As mentioned he did tell me on the phone that he wanted to potentially put me in another speaking role. But that makes absolutely no sense the more I think about it.

Example, if the conflict before was that my face was seen for that background role where I can’t be seen anymore for the original role, how does it make sense that you can magically make it adapt for something else now? Are they just Bs’ing me for example so that I won’t make a big deal out of it? On top of that, the main shooting was supposed to be wrapping and going into editing. Hence, it appears that there is no time to add in additional roles.

What would you do as an actor? In some ways it feels like I have been intentionally misled and not to mention the opportunities I have lost as a result of me committing to this. I mean, people get changed and cut from film roles all the time which isn’t a big deal. Even in professional settings though if you worked on a set and they say cut you out in the editing for whatever reason you would still get your compensation. But for this situation it feels like I will be getting nothing. Nothing I can use potentially for my acting portfolio footage, no compensation, etc.

The fact that they gave me their re-assurance and only decided to tell me this at the very last minute again makes me think that they took me for a ride which I find a bit unethical if that is the case. Because of that and the fact that they didn’t fulfill their end of the contractual agreement I am inclined to tell them that I don’t give them permission to use me at all in the film. Honestly, there is no way I would have volunteered and committed my time to this capacity to simply do a background cameo unless I really knew the people well.

Am I being too emotional about this? What would other professional actors do in this situation I wonder.

Today I went to the studio where my acting coach helped me to tape the scenes for my demo reel. His nephew dropped by to help out with the camera work. Surprisingly, one of my fellow classmates dropped by too. She forgot that there was no class today. But, she decided to stick around and help by being my reader which was cool.

For the most part it went well. One scene in particular was kicking my butt I must say. The funny thing is I have no real problems doing things that are dramatic or require a lot of intensity. However, when it comes to things that are more casual and laid back I tend to take it too seriously. It took quite a few takes to get it to the way the coach wanted.

Hilarious thing was that he commented that he now knows what type of scenes to give me during classes now as over the past few weeks he was having problems in finding things that are challenging and suitable for me. Basically, he is going to give me a bunch of romantic comedy audition sides. Have mercy!!!! j/k

Before we began shooting too I was talking to the acting coach a lot about the industry as he was sharing with me his experiences thus far in his own career. It was a very enlightening I thought and it was very cool of him to share his stories too. I was able to relate in many ways and feel that I now better understand many of the advice that he is given me such far.

He gave me a bit of a talk about stereotypes too and how to use that to your advantage. I’m very appreciative of all the time he has spent with me thus far. Now, to take the next step. I compiled everything and need to get it reviewed before going on to phase two of the career plan.

This week and next I am pretty busy as I committed to working on various films and therefore the schedule has been all set. Just today, one production wanted to push the shoot from tomorrow to Monday instead. That conflicts with my commitment with a different project.

So, obviously one production is going to get screwed, so to speak, as obviously I can’t exactly be at two places at once. Fortunately one of them think that they can adjust to it. But still, you’d think that the appropriate thing to do is to confirm with the talent ahead of time about any changes.

This might be hectic too with the way it might work now. In the morning I will have to act in one film where there is going to be a whole whack of makeup and effects put on me and then just like an hour later I have to go to a different set to act in the other film. This will be a test for sure.

Today while working on a show it was kind of interesting as people recognized me from previous work. Example, some of the production crew from other shows that are on hiatus were working on this show too.

You know what this kind of told me? In many ways I think that I have been on set long enough to establish a presence of sorts with a lot of the production personnel where at least people know that I am a reliable and professional person to work with.

So this made me think where if I start going to professional auditions consistently while seeing the same people that at least tells me that I have established myself with say the casting director where they deem me as professional enough to keep calling back. Who knows the type of doors that can open just by surrounding yourself with people who do film/acting related work everyday.

Was kind of a funny build up to the workshop today. At first the acting coach texted me yesterday saying he had difficulties finding myself and another person a scene to do. Basically, he wanted to challenge us but said that we both usually take direction very well.

Actually, the first thought in my mind was if he got that e-mail that I sent last week where as you all may remember I didn’t get a response. Essentially, he was going to help me with my reel and all to help me prepare for my next career move and planning. And this was the text message he replied back with:

Hilarious. lol. He eventually did find a scene and today I did it as usual. Again, he mentioned that I took direction extremely well. I also learned that virtually half of the other actors won’t be attending next month due to vacations or needing to save money. At this rate, there is a possibility that there will only be like five of us in the class.

I was also asked if I was coming back next month and January 2010 as a lot of them mentioned they will be back in the new years. I mentioned that I would be returning. Although, a big reason why I am returning next month is because the acting coach told me that he is going to be assisting me in my career growth when it comes to the business side of things.

There is actually no workshop for next week and he told me to come in that day as he wants me to do completely new scenes for my demo reel with sides/work that are more recent. As explained last week, he mentioned to me that when people like casting directors see you performing work that has recently been out there it gets them thinking if you do a really good job as they then subconsciously compare it to the people they did bring into the room.

At this point I want to finish the demo reel by this month and then use the month of December to see if things are working out. If I don’t accomplish my specific milestone goal by the end of December or if say I don’t seem to be getting the support to help me accomplish my goals then there is a high chance I won’t be continuing with this workshop in the new years. In my mind, if this doesn’t help me then I have to try something new.

How does that saying go? Something like the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I don’t mind acting insane when it comes to a character role, but I am not on camera right now.

Alright, in the event there was actually a lot of discussion that was useful for script writers and producers too. Of course, for myself I am more interested in the acting side. However, I felt that maybe there are a few aspiring film producers that are reading my blog too and so here is a treat for you all.

During this question and answer period a member of the audience, who sounded like a producer himself, was asking the panel for some advice. Basically, many of the panel suggested that people need to start making their own work. So, this person was expressing how he has made his own films with a very tiny budget and when it came time to seek for private financing he was only able to attract one investor.

Therefore, he asked the panel if they had any advice for junior and intermediate producers on the things they can do to get projects off the ground and to achieve a similar level of success that the producers on stage have experienced. The two who were answering the question the most was first Matthew O’Connor from the company Reunion Pictures and Larry Sugar of No Equal Entertainment.

The volume was a little quiet as at times they weren’t speaking into the microphone. But this was the clip:

Would you do things such as mortgaging your home if you believed in your project enough? Even with the producers here they mentioned how you can use the Internet to promote your work. I know here in Vancouver there are a ton of web series that are being published on sites like Youtube in hopes that it will garner enough attention to then go to the TV or big screen. Some of them look pretty impressive too.

Another interesting tidbit that was mentioned here, which I think can help everyone, is how they all said that they had great mentors that helped them and that you would be surprised at how many people would be willing to help you if you just ask.