Okay. It's one of the last days of shooting, and my actor tells me my script is "too hollywood". He wants to change the ending because he doesn't think it makes sense. He comes up with his own idea. I tell him I want to keep the original ending, and we will shoot his way if we have enough time. He storms off. What should I do? I don't want to fire him, because I've shot the WHOLE film, except for one scene.
actor :(
- Thread starter ChimpPhobiaFilms
- Start date
That's an unfortunate position to be in. How old is this clown? Ten?
That was a reasonable suggestion you offered, to his very unreasonable demand. If that's not workin' for him...
Does he just need a good lot of ego-stroking or extra direction, maybe? I'd be wanting to keep the original ending, and have a talk with him reminding him of his responsibilities to not only you but the entire cast & crew, as well, who've put so much time in. (Well, I'm assuming it's not just you two lol) He's certainly not being reasonable... or thinking too much about working on your next project.
You might need to finish up Ed Wood style, with a Bela Lugsi look-alike hiding behind a cape.
That was a reasonable suggestion you offered, to his very unreasonable demand. If that's not workin' for him...
Does he just need a good lot of ego-stroking or extra direction, maybe? I'd be wanting to keep the original ending, and have a talk with him reminding him of his responsibilities to not only you but the entire cast & crew, as well, who've put so much time in. (Well, I'm assuming it's not just you two lol) He's certainly not being reasonable... or thinking too much about working on your next project.
You might need to finish up Ed Wood style, with a Bela Lugsi look-alike hiding behind a cape.
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If this happened to me I'd wouldn't kowtow to this guy and shoot the scene with someone else same-sized, wide-shot only when he's facing the camera. CS/MS only with other actors and over-the-shoulder tricks. By digging through your previous footage you ought to find several face shots you can to work using editing tricks. You can also rewrite the script a bit (or a lot) to get it to work.
Consider it a challenge and if you pull it off with no one the wiser, it'll be a huge feather in your cap!
Good luck.
Consider it a challenge and if you pull it off with no one the wiser, it'll be a huge feather in your cap!
Good luck.
He's only done theater, and he's gotten kicked out of a production for bossing the director. I'm gonna try to get him to finish, or I'll reshoot with another actor (sigh)
I could take the Plan 9 route
I could take the Plan 9 route
That's a huge red flag right there. Your job is tough enough without inviting a loose cannon to the set.
Good luck!
Sadly this is one of the unfortunate issues of free work.
If he was being paid, had a contract or you had insurance on the filming, then you would be good - one way or another.
By not paying, you're opening yourself up to these issues. That's why it's wise to have some money involved, even if not much.
- Jow
If he was being paid, had a contract or you had insurance on the filming, then you would be good - one way or another.
By not paying, you're opening yourself up to these issues. That's why it's wise to have some money involved, even if not much.
- Jow
Actors are pains in the asses all around.
On my feature "Digits" one actress barely showed up on set and was upset when I shot scenes and gave her lines away. She ended up asking for her name to be taken off the movie because it was "too offensive."
Another one became a pre-school teacher and asked that I stop distributing the film because she played a slutty character and didn't want parents to see her in it.
A 3rd actor refuses to promote the movie because he doesn't want to "offend his Christian family and friends" but yet, coaxed me into shooting a short film he wrote / directed about a stuffed animal frog brought to life that masterbates.
Freaking actors man.
Props that talk.
- Jow
On my feature "Digits" one actress barely showed up on set and was upset when I shot scenes and gave her lines away. She ended up asking for her name to be taken off the movie because it was "too offensive."
Another one became a pre-school teacher and asked that I stop distributing the film because she played a slutty character and didn't want parents to see her in it.
A 3rd actor refuses to promote the movie because he doesn't want to "offend his Christian family and friends" but yet, coaxed me into shooting a short film he wrote / directed about a stuffed animal frog brought to life that masterbates.
Freaking actors man.
Props that talk.
- Jow
Haha... yes, that's the one.
Sadly, both that and DUTY are stuck on the shelf until myself and my actor / the director can work out our differences. Not sure if we will.
- Jow
I hear you and I've had my share of flaky actors that are painful, I think it's fair to say it's not fair to lump all actors into that boat. Some people are like that.
I think it's important to learn to identify and avoid people like that. On top of that, unreliable, lazy or unstable people and the list of traits go on. Checking references and taking the time to get to know people can help to avoid these situations, or at least reduce the amount of times it occurs.
And payment or none - get a simple basic release form giving you permission to use their likeness in your film with no further compensation (beyond whatever you agreed to up front) and have them sign before you shoot. At least that way if they change their mind for some reason later at least you're covered to continue distributing your film.
How much of the movie do you think is left, minute wise? Would shooting an actor from behind for the rest of the shots as a double, be a really bad idea?
First off, as an actor, this is an offensive generalization... But, more to the point of the post, (again, as an actor) you should let your actor know that his job is to facilitate your vision and bring it to life.
If he is serious about a career as an actor, he needs to get used to that.
Good luck! Let the other guy's bitchiness inspire you to greater heights!
I find it funny that you're an actor offended by that generalization, yet who has the screen name "Ihatemyjob"...just sayin'.