Casting -- Dialogue & Actors

Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC

Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC

These days, I see more and more actors are concern about the percentage of dialogue they get in a script to decide whether or not they want to commit to a production. Obviously, everyone wants to be a star. But, supporting roles and stunt actors are very vital to productions as well.

Why is there less interest in doing stunts and more interest in the percentage of dialogue?
 
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I have never found that to be the case.

All the stunt people I know are specialists in their field and
interested in doing their job. However, the actors I know are not
willing to do stunts - they are interested in acting. But they do
understand the importance of stunts to the project.

When you say, “these days” do you mean that there was a time when
actors were not concerned about the percentage of dialogue the
get? That at one time more and more actors were interested in
doing stunts? When do you feel this was the case?
 
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Ten years ago, it was just as easy to find stunt people with no dialogue roles as actors with dialogue roles. Even combinations were possible. But, the studios stereotyped martial artists as bad actors and would not give them a fair shake for a audition for a character role. This led martial artists to remove their martial arts backgrounds and awards from their resumes.

It's different for you with union people where they have organizations like the Stuntman's Association of Motion Pictures and Stuntwomens associations. The studios always have stunt people that way.

But, for small nonunions productions, less and less martial artists are going into film for stunts. Actor with no stunt experience are trying out for these roles. And, they can hurt themselves without the proper background. And, actors will only stick to a production if they get a certain percentage of dialogue.
 
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I think more inexperienced actors want lead roles and want to see lots of dialog and feel that a supporting role is a letdown. That is a shame cuz many great talents have done well in supporting roles IMO. In my casting, for my no-budget fare, I see many people who respond to casting calls say they are wanting consideration for larger roles even if they have no experience. I do understand the plight of many in the indie talent pool is to be a silent extra in a stinker low budget production, one of mine included.
 
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directorik said:
An interesting perspective. I rarely use union actors. All of my
movies have been small, non union productions.
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Interesting.

I know a lot of martial artists both on the Indie level and the studio level where I heard this story from that I'm relaying here.

The martial artists who tried out for studio roles told me they had to remove their martial arts backgrounds from their resumes just to get in the door for an audition.

I'm getting two martial artists that I know to help out as stunt coordinators for my next two productions. They have both acting and stage fighting experience and will work well with the cast we are putting together. Getting new faces as stunt people, that's a challenge nowadays.
 
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Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC said:
These days, I see more and more actors are concern about the percentage of dialogue they get in a script to decide whether or not they want to commit to a production. Obviously, everyone wants to be a star. But, supporting roles and stunt actors are very vital to productions as well.

Why is there less interest in doing stunts and more interest in the percentage of dialogue?
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I don't believe this is the case.

You're speaking of an Actors need for exposure, and their drive to be "Showcased". But there's been no drastic change, no uproar to speak of.

I'm not sure i understand the latter of your post. The two crafts are singular. My only theory is that you're referring to Actors having quieries over doing their own stunts, yet being pertubed over a lack of dialogue...

There are many, many Actors who are simply not able to complete stunts convincingly. They are there to act. Stuntmen/women are there for stunts.
 
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You clearly don't understand the post--period. Stuntwomen are NOT available period. Interesting you should single out women. Stuntmen are not available either on the small / no budget level. So, we are forced to turn to actors. And, actors are the only ones applying for stunt intense roles.
 
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Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC said:
You clearly don't understand the posst--period. Stuntwomen are NOT available period. Interesting you should single out women. Stuntmen are not available either on the small / no budget level. So, we are forced to turn to actors. And, actors are the only ones applying for stunt intense roles.
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Single out Women?

If you re-read the post, properly, and listen, you'll see that I offered the option of Stunt Women. Which for the "Small/no budget level", be it there no organisations that you can work with within budget, it would be a matter of taking alternative routes with "Fighting instructers", who, as you well know, can be women.

If you don't believe you can find somebody more suited to Stunt roles than Actors, then you are not looking hard enough.

Gyms, Boxing Clubs, MMA houses, a few of examples of those more equipped to tackle stunts than Actors.
 
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Here again, you don't understand the post. Ten years ago I could put out breakdowns and get 50 to 100 martial artists applying for stunt intense roles. When I had to cast for I, Creator, I got one guy qualified for the role as the survivalist because he has been in Martial Arts classes since he was six years old. There were no backups becauuse I could not find another to apply. He did stuff no ordinary actor can do like reverse sommersalt himself across camera and flip completely over a cyborg actress.



It was a nail biting experience that he would not flake out on me.



For my new production, I need 4 stunt guys to dress up as silver aliens with no dialogue and all stunts. In I, Creator, 3 actors in a row flaked out on me for the killer android soldier role who tries to kill the general. Actors in the production tried to reach out to them to show up. They didn't want to show because they had no dialogue. I ended up using my DP for that role. And, that scene is in my 4 minute preview for the movie because it is important.



Action for the ladies will be better in the new production. I just brought in a fashion model kick boxer who literally kicked me out of the room. I also have a lady Kung Fu expert to train the other ladies.



The guys can be harder than the gals sometimes for action roles. Some guys are so uncoordinated they are a danger to themselves doing stunts.



I know a filmmaker on another board who got his martial arts friends together to train his cast for several months because they could not find stunt people.
 
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"There's not enough dialog..."

Just a few thoughts and a snide comment or two...


Quantity is not quality.

I thought that they were acting, not doing books on tape.

According to Hitchcock the supporting cast can make or break a scene/film.

Tell that to Patty Duke (Oscar, Best Actress in a Supporting Role [Helen Keller], "The Miracle Worker").

Tell that to Dustin Hoffman (Oscar, Best Actor in a Leading Role, "Rain Man").
 
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It's been said, however, actors want to act...stunt people want to do stunts. Some want both.

For the most part actors aren't stunt people, and visa versa. The amount of dialog isn't the important part...the important part is how solid the production team is, the script is, and the character is. Every actor wants a *good* role...stunts are a different beast entirely.
 
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I'm trying to solve the problem by getting the best people that I can find for each part of the puzzle that makes up a whole production. It was easier 10 years ago when more martial artists were available for independent videos and films. They would fill up the void in today's dilemma.
 
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Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC said:
I'm trying to solve the problem by getting the best people that I can find for each part of the puzzle that makes up a whole production. It was easier 10 years ago when more martial artists were available for independent videos and films. They would fill up the void in today's dilemma.
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I'm not sure...I would say there are a lot more stunt people/martial artists that work in indie film today. You have to find the stunt teams that practice in your state...get in touch with them. I'm sure there is at least one stunt team in your area...or at least in your vicinity.

Also, try the martial arts schools.
 
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MDM....

are you saying nobody is trying out for supporting roles in general, or nobody is trying out for YOUR supporting roles?

Not to be overly offensive, but if its the former, maybe people just don't like your scripts? Or you have a bad reputation or your promoting your casting calls in the wrong way..

Me, Iv only ever directed my wife and kids, so I dont know jack squat!

Thanks
 
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wheatgrinder said:
MDM....

are you saying nobody is trying out for supporting roles in general, or nobody is trying out for YOUR supporting roles?

Not to be overly offensive, but if its the former, maybe people just don't like your scripts? Or you have a bad reputation or your promoting your casting calls in the wrong way..

Me, Iv only ever directed my wife and kids, so I dont know jack squat!

Thanks
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If the supporting roles have dialogue, it's easy to get actors for supporting roles. For the doctor's ex-girlfriend in I, Creator, over 200 actresses applied. The actress I selected drove over 200 miles and was on time for the shoot in Southold, NY. She was also a very responsible person to work with. It's roles with no dialogue or stunt roles that are tough to cast.

I sometimes may place stunt roles as supporting roles because they do support the production in a very important way.

Do you get it now?
 
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IndieBudget said:
I think more inexperienced actors want lead roles and want to see lots of dialog and feel that a supporting role is a letdown. That is a shame cuz many great talents have done well in supporting roles IMO. In my casting, for my no-budget fare, I see many people who respond to casting calls say they are wanting consideration for larger roles even if they have no experience. I do understand the plight of many in the indie talent pool is to be a silent extra in a stinker low budget production, one of mine included.
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I have seen this too.

I try to impress on actors during their interview how important supporting roles are to a production. I don't know if I get through to them. But, I try.
 
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