Could this actor pass for a police Sergeant?

H

harmonica44

I was thinking of using the young actor in blue for my first feature screenplay. But a DP who is likes the script and wants to do it, says to get someone else, and he just can't pass for that main cop hero look. He says that I should use that actor to play the district attorney character instead. But he looks kind of young for a lawyer to have worked all the way up the ranks to district attorney. But the DP says no, and that most DAs of America today, are in their 20s.

What do you think, does this actor have a look that audiences will accept for either role? I am hoping to sell the audience on performance rather than look. Even when I was first told to watch 24 I did not buy Kiefer as a federal agent, until I saw it, then I was sold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56EIXHLWH6Y
 
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My cousin's a Special Constable (UK volunteer police who go through the same training as regular police, and the same exams so they have the same requirements) and he's a scrawny, lanky dude. I don't think appearances are everything.
 
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Yeah but sometimes audiences don't believe in realism, and they need a more cinematic look for their characters. Like in real life, James Bond could look like Stephen Root, yet we wouldn't believe him as a secret agent and seducer of women if he was. I was also told before that in another short film I tried to do, that audiences would not believe a 20 year old hitman. Even though realistically, a hitman could be 20 or even younger. So audiences believe in false character representations it seems, that maybe we should stick to, to sell the product. Unless I'm wrong.
 
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haha i was expecting some 14 year old kid, but yes he could definitely fit the role, like others said a haircut and maybe keep a bit of the stubble and dress him in a suit or police sergeant uniform and i think he would totally look the part!
 
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Yeah that's me. But it's difficult to find enough actors so if I take on the lead role, that's one less actor, that may ditch out. Plus I've done acting before I got into this whole filmmaking/directing thing, so it's not like I haven't done it before. I will have to take some time in between takes to play back and review the takes, but I hear that other directors pause in between takes to do this as well, so it seems common practice anyway.
 
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What I don't understand is that you complain that you never have enough time at a location, but then cast yourself as the lead actor, effectively forcing you to take more time to watch back takes, and to get things right before you step into the scene.

You do realise that things will likely suffer with you as the lead role?

To me it just seems like you get yourself tangled in this web of what you perceive as the 'easiest way out' of a situation or problem, that in the end makes things a whole lot harder.
 
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Joseph thinks he can pass for a police officer, but might be a little young to play sergeant.

If you do cast him, though, Joseph thinks you should refer to him in the third person, throughout the entire production.
 
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jax_rox said:
What I don't understand is that you complain that you never have enough time at a location, but then cast yourself as the lead actor, effectively forcing you to take more time to watch back takes, and to get things right before you step into the scene.

You do realise that things will likely suffer with you as the lead role?

To me it just seems like you get yourself tangled in this web of what you perceive as the 'easiest way out' of a situation or problem, that in the end makes things a whole lot harder.
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Well I played the lead role in the first short film I directed and it actually saved a lot of the movie. Since the actor's did not have as much time on set as me, I had to shoot all their shots first. Then at the end, I had more time to get some good close up takes of myself. If I take the lead, I will have more time than another actor potentially. I know actor's say they have time, but things happen. Like one got a call saying his mother just went into the hospital on emergency, and felt he should get down there right away.

That's just an example, but I know I will stick around.
 
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Your DP may be thinking more of just the look, he very well realises it's often hard to direct and act. That being said I know of countless examples where it has happened, however the ones I know of had quite large crews where there were probably other producers/co-directors who the Director/actor trusted enough with their judgement
 
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The woman who directed my feature was an actress long before she was a director, and continues to act now. I offered her one of the supporting roles, which I thought she'd be perfect for (the casting director agreed that she was perfect for it). She declined though, as she said the character was in too many important scenes to risk taking her attention away from directing.
 
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NickClapper said:
:lol:

I'm glad someone else has picked up on quite how weird that first post is.
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This is how I reacted.

harmonicafacepalm.png
 
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MileCreations said:
Your DP may be thinking more of just the look, he very well realises it's often hard to direct and act. That being said I know of countless examples where it has happened, however the ones I know of had quite large crews where there were probably other producers/co-directors who the Director/actor trusted enough with their judgement
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That's true I would have to have someone to trust with my judgement. The scene I shot there, my friend judged my performance and gave me tips. If she or someone as trustworthy is up to it, then it could be good. And I know it sounds kind of bad to want to take on the lead role, but it eliminates having to one less actor to keep track of, and that he will show up. The less cast to keep track of the better, and just eliminating one main role, is a stress reliever for me. I know people have said on here that they will show up if I treat them good, but I have yet you never know, even under signed contract and pay.
 
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