I thought some of you might enjoy this:
Confessions of an Indie Actor
By Michael Reed
Creating a full-length independent movie--digital or not--is an exercise in
patience. I advice you read the director and producers take on the entire
process to fully understand the incredible amount of time and energy which
goes into completing a project of any caliber. Most of the time, low-budget,
friend-made films can go one of two ways: badly, or very badly. It surely is
a rarity to run across an indie film that actually holds its own in terms of
entertainment and has a firm grasp into the genre. Living Dead World is one
of those films.
It has been an honor to work with the cast and crew of Living Dead World.
Sure the staple of PA's during the first few weeks of shooting became
thinner and thinner, until even the actors were carrying lights and props
around--but the meat of the group, the soldiers, held steadfast. There were
many of nights where we all were staring at each other, huddled in a corner
freezing our buns of at four in the morning thinking, "Why are we doing this
for free, I mean...wait...pizzas here--Whoo Hoo!" And yes the "Hurry up and
wait" mentality for us actors is a difficult one to bear. But in the end,
seeing the end product and realizing is was all worth-while, is a wonderful
feeling.
After all is said and done, it was a great learning experience. Every actor
truly interested in pursuing a career in the arts, should receive their
first beatings in front of an indie camera. Although I do recommend
getting involved with a crew that finishes their work. Nothing is worse than
staying up late, freezing to death, and coming to find that the shoot ends halfway
through the project. Make sure they fully intend to finish the project, even
if it takes a year and a half longer than planned (cough!).
For a beginning actor, working with an indie crew gives you much more
freedom to explore. I don't recommend you goof-off daily, or forget your
lines at every turn--but feel free to learn film technique. Take the
opportunity to learn about the subtlety of film acting, framing, timing,
what the crew expects of you, and in turn what you should expect of them. If
you're working your butt off, you better get compensated in some way, be it
money, or food--pizza! Whoo Hoo! (a contract can be used for certain
projects speculating a future for the film).
One thing to keep in mind actors--if you take on the role, you better damn
well stick with it, and complete the project. Shooting for months to find
your lead or secondary actors have split for Guam is a terrible thing for
film crews to deal with. I'm sure many projects have crumbled from this very
thing. If the part is yours--the show must go on...if you're sick, if you
broke your toe, even if that huge un-godly pimple in-between your eyes grows
to the size of a small gourd--show up for the shoot! Let the crew pamper you
on the set...but be there!
Another thing to consider--which plays in with the topic above--make sure
your schedule fits in with the shoot. Most of the time, the crew will be
extremely flexible for the actors. They know you're not being paid, they
can't expect you to call off work, miss school, and sell your body for
money--if they are at all a respectable production company, they will work
with all the actors before the shoot to be sure no conflicts arise later in
the shooting (which will arise anyway).
Shooting Living Dead World, albeit the long days of shooting (no
golden-time), was actually lots of fun. I gained valuable friendships with
many of the cast and crew. (Except for you Brad ;0)) I don't expect or
advice actors to just jump into any ol' indie-film for the experience. I
can't stress enough to those actors out there reading this (the two of
you)--make sure the production will be completed!
So what are you waiting for? You just have to see this film. As our
esteemed movie producer Robert Felts says, "Go ahead, I dare you."
www.evilgeniusentertainment.com
Confessions of an Indie Actor
By Michael Reed
Creating a full-length independent movie--digital or not--is an exercise in
patience. I advice you read the director and producers take on the entire
process to fully understand the incredible amount of time and energy which
goes into completing a project of any caliber. Most of the time, low-budget,
friend-made films can go one of two ways: badly, or very badly. It surely is
a rarity to run across an indie film that actually holds its own in terms of
entertainment and has a firm grasp into the genre. Living Dead World is one
of those films.
It has been an honor to work with the cast and crew of Living Dead World.
Sure the staple of PA's during the first few weeks of shooting became
thinner and thinner, until even the actors were carrying lights and props
around--but the meat of the group, the soldiers, held steadfast. There were
many of nights where we all were staring at each other, huddled in a corner
freezing our buns of at four in the morning thinking, "Why are we doing this
for free, I mean...wait...pizzas here--Whoo Hoo!" And yes the "Hurry up and
wait" mentality for us actors is a difficult one to bear. But in the end,
seeing the end product and realizing is was all worth-while, is a wonderful
feeling.
After all is said and done, it was a great learning experience. Every actor
truly interested in pursuing a career in the arts, should receive their
first beatings in front of an indie camera. Although I do recommend
getting involved with a crew that finishes their work. Nothing is worse than
staying up late, freezing to death, and coming to find that the shoot ends halfway
through the project. Make sure they fully intend to finish the project, even
if it takes a year and a half longer than planned (cough!).
For a beginning actor, working with an indie crew gives you much more
freedom to explore. I don't recommend you goof-off daily, or forget your
lines at every turn--but feel free to learn film technique. Take the
opportunity to learn about the subtlety of film acting, framing, timing,
what the crew expects of you, and in turn what you should expect of them. If
you're working your butt off, you better get compensated in some way, be it
money, or food--pizza! Whoo Hoo! (a contract can be used for certain
projects speculating a future for the film).
One thing to keep in mind actors--if you take on the role, you better damn
well stick with it, and complete the project. Shooting for months to find
your lead or secondary actors have split for Guam is a terrible thing for
film crews to deal with. I'm sure many projects have crumbled from this very
thing. If the part is yours--the show must go on...if you're sick, if you
broke your toe, even if that huge un-godly pimple in-between your eyes grows
to the size of a small gourd--show up for the shoot! Let the crew pamper you
on the set...but be there!
Another thing to consider--which plays in with the topic above--make sure
your schedule fits in with the shoot. Most of the time, the crew will be
extremely flexible for the actors. They know you're not being paid, they
can't expect you to call off work, miss school, and sell your body for
money--if they are at all a respectable production company, they will work
with all the actors before the shoot to be sure no conflicts arise later in
the shooting (which will arise anyway).
Shooting Living Dead World, albeit the long days of shooting (no
golden-time), was actually lots of fun. I gained valuable friendships with
many of the cast and crew. (Except for you Brad ;0)) I don't expect or
advice actors to just jump into any ol' indie-film for the experience. I
can't stress enough to those actors out there reading this (the two of
you)--make sure the production will be completed!
So what are you waiting for? You just have to see this film. As our
esteemed movie producer Robert Felts says, "Go ahead, I dare you."
www.evilgeniusentertainment.com
