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Role Replacements Principal Photography Begins... |
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When does shooting begin? Shooting has largely been controlled by the availability of locations. To give our film truly high production values, most scenes will be shot on location. Virtually the entire starring cast interior locations have been secured. Morrie’s townhouse, Sara’s mother home, Megan’s cabin, Chris’ apartment etc., have all been secured. I am personally working on a phenomenal location for Chris and Adrianna’s new home. If I get it, it will be a major coup. You should know that these are REAL people’s homes. I have agreed with those gracious enough to host us, to work around their schedules in way that won’t disrupt their individual schedules. I’m sure I don’t have to mention this but to be clear, I’ve promised that we (meaning you, I and crew) will not abuse their homes and/or furnishings. I’m asking you all to treat each location as if it were your own. So, for all practical purposes, a few winter establishing scenes will be shot between Christmas and winter's end with full-blown shooting to begin until late winter / early spring of 2005. Most scenes include only two-to-three principals excluding extras. As such, none of you will have to alter your personal schedules substantially. It is much easier to manage a small set versus a gigantic ensemble shoot. I will always give you a minimum week advance notice but more than likely, Dawn or Lisa will give you even more time. Rehearsal: In a nutshell, I don’t believe in excessive rehearsal if any rehearsal at all. I’ve been on the set for years and I believe that when actors know their lines and have related the emotional center of their character to events in their own personal life, one will know how to deliver the lines. While I can’t mention you all here by name, when I saw Melissa Powell and Stephanie Nevin audition, I got those rare Goosebumps that scream “perfect”. Adam Cooley came in to read for a minor role but his delivery was so incredible that I cast him in one of the starring roles. Kelly Delikat auditioned for a one line extra but turned in such a great conveyance of emotion that he was cast instantly for a larger role. Trina Lloyd and Shoni Baker were unbelievable. When we lost our Paula, Katie Murphy stepped in and wowed us. Why would I want to mess with perfection? As director, I see my job is helping the actors to hit marks, not tell them how to act. I cast you all because I saw that something “special” for each of the roles you were cast for. I love that line from Meisner; “…acting is living life truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” Many of you were coached in Strasberg, Meisner, Adler, and/or the European method. I believe they all have value but the key to the performance I want is from you is to perform without me knowing you’re acting. Tom Hanks recently told Charlie Rose; “…I didn’t become to good actor until I completely lost my self-conscience awareness in front of the camera.” I want you to make me a bug on the wall to some specific emotional point in your life. A word about memorizing lines: While it is important to know your lines, I encourage you to take creative liberty to bring your lines to life with your own unique inflections, adlibs and innuendo. You do not need to memorize each word and beat just so long as you know the essence of the part. REMEMBER, if I can tell you’re acting, then you’re NOT acting. My last word on acting; study your scenes partners’ lines too. It is equally important that you react realistically when he/she is delivering lines either opposite or in ensemble. |
Hair and Makeup:
To cut down on the logistical nightmares, I asking that you all be
responsible for you own hair. Read your scenes and come with you hair
as you perceive it in the script. What do I mean? If Chris is attending
a formal event, I expect that his hair will not look as if he just
finished an intense game of racquetball. As for the women, again, check
your scene and ‘up-do’ or ‘down-do’ your hairdo as appropriate. Mike
Atwell will provide you a continuity photograph of your hair and
wardrobe if a scene extends to more than a single day's shooting. For a
few shots, we have retained renowned hair stylist, Ron Frazier of the
Oriental Oasis to assist you in his salon but in most cases, it will not
be necessary. Our makeup person is Dana Britton. She has years of
experience in makeup. Feel free to do your own make up before a shoot
and simply use Dana as backup. Of course she’ll assist in the
elimination of “shiny noses” or if you have trouble giving your face
that just-set look. Dana has tremendous experience with all
shades and textures of skin tone, color, and elasticity.
Weather: Most EXTERIOR shots depend on good weather. If we schedule an EXTERIOR shot as primary and the weather is not cooperating, I will in most cases have an INTERIOR shot an alternate so that we don’t waste the day. Similarly, if we’re scheduled to shoot an INTERIOR, but the EXTERIOR weather is perfect for another ensemble shoot, we’ll defer one for the other. If we get snow this winter, Stephen Graf and I will personally go out to acquire winter-time montage footage. I may ask scene-specific cast members to join us to give the scene relevance. There is one scene in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor that requires a torrential downfall of rain to make the scene work. When we get a forecast of such weather, I’ll place an early call for the cast involved and we’ll do the scene in two, maybe three takes at the most. Wardrobe: This is a tough one; a few of the weddings are so expensive to wardrobe that I have to ask you to dig in your closets to find an outfit that you believe will work for the scene. Example; there’s a scene in Morrie’s house where he’s hosting an informal dinner party. Read the scene and dress appropriately from your own wardrobe. Trina Lloyd and Helenmary Ball have volunteered to help me coordinate costuming. They will acquire the pieces needed that are not in our inventory but are essential for the scene. I am asking that if you have any doubts, call either of them for advice. I trust their instincts and so should you. Their email and phone #s will be provided shortly. Danielle lives in LA and is costuming the wedding scenes. Trina and Helenmary will coordinate with her and supervise the wardrobe locally. I’ll keep you all informed. Additionally, feel free to dry clean your wardrobe, present your cleaning bills to Dawn and I’ll see to it that you get reimbursed. Sides and Scripts: Principals will receive final shooting scripts via snail mail. All other cast members will receive SIDES via snail mail or pdf attached to an email. Additionally the full script is available to all cast members and extras as a pdf attachment. Additional Readings: Andrew Dockham moved to New York and may not be able to participate. As such, after reviewing another actor's reel, I have asked Jason Brown to audition for the role previously offered to Andrew. Andrew, thanks for you interest and we wish you the best. Also, some of you will be contacted for a follow-up audition either alone or because we need to see you opposite your scene-mate. You will be notified.
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