When I was shooting Us Sinners, a lot of the problems, headaches and weaknesses came from the fact I'd never made a movie before. I worried constantly that these fabulous actors would find out I didn't have a clue and quit. After it was all over, I found out my anxiety was completely unfounded. Everyone had a great time.
For Leading Lady I don't have that anxiety. I know what I'm doing, and I'm actually very good at it. The anxiety this time comes from my leading lady (the same one I've been bitching about here), whose mission in life is to make my life miserable and cause me as much stress as possible. When I get an e-mail or I'm in the same room as her, my stomach hurts so bad I can barely stand up straight. It's like an instant ulcer. But, once everyone is in place and shooting begins, it's pretty damn incredible. She's stunningly beautiful and naturally talented.
We have two more intense weekends to shoot and we'd have been done with her. But, besides the fact she showed up two shades darker from hanging out on the beach during the week. We got into it over a single shot and a special paragraph that I wrote to protect her from me, a person she barely knows. She took my own words, twisted them to her liking and spit them in my face. Which for me was the end.
My special paragraph states that I may ask her to do some shots that may seem questionable (example: picking up her clothes after having sex and walking to the stairway) It's not in the script, but it might be a beautiful shot. She's absolutely gorgeous. Since it's not in the script, I'd give her final say whether the shot could be used in the final edit. That's pretty generous.
This weekend we shot a short two shot scene where Nancy is having sex with a stranger she met at a coffee house. Because we were shooting at a friend's apartment, I didn't want to bring someone in to do two shots. I might be bald, but from behind, I'm fairly skinny. So, as long as my face doesn't show, you really can't tell my age. I'm also really hairy, and Nancy's suppose to have this look of complete revulsion on her face. It's a really great shot.
The second shot in the script is "He rolls off her and grabs her boob". Since I'm too old to be having sex with this young lady, I needed a replacement shot. So, I came up with a perfect one. I roll off her, she turns, sees her dead sister's picture smiling at her and she turns the picture over so she can't see it.
The problem came when the bra and shirt she held over her body so I couldn't actually touch her skin kept getting in the shot. It was late, and I said "You have to remove them". She refused. I said "This is in the script", and she said "No it's not. In the script he rolls off her and grabs her boob". So, I said "Okay, get under the blankets and we'll shoot that". She refused. We finally got a really poor shot of her flipping the photo. But she argued semantics. Yes this shot was not specifically in the script. But, it replaced a shot that was. The special paragraph was for questionable material. This wasn't questionable. Her breasts literally can not be seen. She doesn't appear naked in the movie. Her problem was the body on top of her was me.
So, after that, I shut down production. I blamed myself instead of just telling everyone I won't work with her anymore. But, the best is she writes me with " If you are considering contacting me when you are ready to start up again, please do." I set her straight today.
A question that's always bothered me was "If someone's behavior is so terrible, do you want to reward them with any kind of recognition?" If Leading Lady turns out good or bad, it's still a product. It would still get her name and face to some portion of the population. I finally decided I don't want to condone her behavior and attitude. I don't want our names associated in any way.
She also asked for scenes to use on her reel. I told her I'd only send her our 5 second bed scene. I bet she's pissed. But, I feel good.
For Leading Lady I don't have that anxiety. I know what I'm doing, and I'm actually very good at it. The anxiety this time comes from my leading lady (the same one I've been bitching about here), whose mission in life is to make my life miserable and cause me as much stress as possible. When I get an e-mail or I'm in the same room as her, my stomach hurts so bad I can barely stand up straight. It's like an instant ulcer. But, once everyone is in place and shooting begins, it's pretty damn incredible. She's stunningly beautiful and naturally talented.
We have two more intense weekends to shoot and we'd have been done with her. But, besides the fact she showed up two shades darker from hanging out on the beach during the week. We got into it over a single shot and a special paragraph that I wrote to protect her from me, a person she barely knows. She took my own words, twisted them to her liking and spit them in my face. Which for me was the end.
My special paragraph states that I may ask her to do some shots that may seem questionable (example: picking up her clothes after having sex and walking to the stairway) It's not in the script, but it might be a beautiful shot. She's absolutely gorgeous. Since it's not in the script, I'd give her final say whether the shot could be used in the final edit. That's pretty generous.
This weekend we shot a short two shot scene where Nancy is having sex with a stranger she met at a coffee house. Because we were shooting at a friend's apartment, I didn't want to bring someone in to do two shots. I might be bald, but from behind, I'm fairly skinny. So, as long as my face doesn't show, you really can't tell my age. I'm also really hairy, and Nancy's suppose to have this look of complete revulsion on her face. It's a really great shot.
The second shot in the script is "He rolls off her and grabs her boob". Since I'm too old to be having sex with this young lady, I needed a replacement shot. So, I came up with a perfect one. I roll off her, she turns, sees her dead sister's picture smiling at her and she turns the picture over so she can't see it.
The problem came when the bra and shirt she held over her body so I couldn't actually touch her skin kept getting in the shot. It was late, and I said "You have to remove them". She refused. I said "This is in the script", and she said "No it's not. In the script he rolls off her and grabs her boob". So, I said "Okay, get under the blankets and we'll shoot that". She refused. We finally got a really poor shot of her flipping the photo. But she argued semantics. Yes this shot was not specifically in the script. But, it replaced a shot that was. The special paragraph was for questionable material. This wasn't questionable. Her breasts literally can not be seen. She doesn't appear naked in the movie. Her problem was the body on top of her was me.
So, after that, I shut down production. I blamed myself instead of just telling everyone I won't work with her anymore. But, the best is she writes me with " If you are considering contacting me when you are ready to start up again, please do." I set her straight today.
A question that's always bothered me was "If someone's behavior is so terrible, do you want to reward them with any kind of recognition?" If Leading Lady turns out good or bad, it's still a product. It would still get her name and face to some portion of the population. I finally decided I don't want to condone her behavior and attitude. I don't want our names associated in any way.
She also asked for scenes to use on her reel. I told her I'd only send her our 5 second bed scene. I bet she's pissed. But, I feel good.
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