Hello there... I need some actors... unknown actors

All In London Forum
Page 1 of 3
Bog-Child
O.K.........

I got this script "wot i wrote" (acknowledgement the late Ernie Wise), and i suppose i should do something with it, other than swat flies at the dinner table.

The thing about media in this country, is that, there is no media in this country, not really, i mean when you look at what we used to watch 20 / 30 years ago, then compare it to the brain-dead trash that's on our screens today, the only way i could describe British media is by quoting Edward Montesque Garlick from Good Morning Vietnam, when reading a letter of complaint about Lt. Steve....... "British media sucks the sweat from a dead man's balls... i have absolutely no idea what that means sir, but it sounds very negative!".

So anyway, i need some actors, who aren't really actors, because they've never really acted before, so i guess i need budding actors, people who want to act.

Sound bad? shouldn't do, as Ray Winstone was a boxer before he got the lead in SCUM, and who was Tim Roth before he got the lead in MADE IN BRITAIN? (Though he really kicks arse in LIE TO ME... you ever seen that show? it's mad).

But yeah, i need to find some like minded wannabe actors, and i only have two requirements;

1: They need to be men.
2: They need to be in their 40's / 50's.

ALTHOUGH, IN SAYING THAT....... i will also need some actors in their 20's / 30's, but the main cast are 40's / 50's ok.


In a nutshell... is a nut. At the end of the day... it get's dark.

Hang on... ok, bottom line here, is that i need several "geezers" for a "bloke movie" (not gay!), but it's more along the lines of meeting up on spare days / days off, to do a bit of talking in front of a camera, instead of getting drunk down the pub or just sitting at home wan.... ooh, almost said that out loud!

So yeah... if you're having a mid life crisis or even a mad life crisis and you fancy a bit of a change, all you need to do, is talk a bunch of crap into a camera, then post it on youtube, and send me the link.

Talk about absolutely anything you want... but be YOU.

I don't need any impersonators ok. talk about this one time, when you and a mate did something and it was mad. talk about the idiot at work that really winds you up, and what you'd like to do to him if the boss weren't around. talk about your wedding day, or your stag do, or this bird you once saw and she was proper etc etc etc.

I haven't got a clue who i'm looking for... but i know exactly what i want, and it has to be natural, it has to be YOU, cos if you've never acted before, and you've got to get into character and then remember your lines... that's when a five minute shoot turns into a five hour shoot and does nothing but jarr people.

Is anyone still reading this?????????
Posted: 2010-11-06 23:56:03
AdrianWebb
when you look at what we used to watch 20 / 30 years ago, then compare it to the brain-dead trash that's on our screens today


Well I happen to prefer Downton Abbey to Love Thy Neighbour :)

Anyway, in my view you would be better off getting trained actors to do this. If you want someone who is 'natural' and 'just being themselves' then a trained actor is exactly what you need. Non-actors 'just being themselves' often come across as just bad actors.

Also a professional actor who has invested time in their career (e.g. by getting an agent) are less likely to let you down at the last minute.

And there are no shortage of 'unknown' actors that can do a good job for you

http://www.uk.castingcallpro.com/

http://www.starnow.co.uk/
Posted: 2010-11-07 10:52:15
Bog-Child
Well, you have your own opinion and you're perfectly entitled to it :)

...As do i, and in light of the fact that i've been in and out of the industry for more than twenty years, i think i'll stick with the ethicks of Alan Clarke when it comes to placing actors.

Trained actors with agents are focussed on money, which means they're just out to do a job.

And in any case, as this countries film industry sucks... badly... most actors are trained with theatre in mind, so overcoming the big performances and expressions for the people in the seats at the back of the auditorium is more often than not a problem.

If a non actor comes accross as a bad actor, then he hasn't been directed properly, and as most scenes are made and lost in post, it's not hard to shoot a film by capturing one line at a time... sure, its tedious, but if the ends justify the means, and you capture what you need to capture..............
.
Posted: 2010-11-07 23:57:03
AdrianWebb
If a non actor comes accross as a bad actor, then he hasn't been directed properly,


Makes me wonder why actors bother getting trained if all it takes is proper direction.

Never mind, 20 years in and out of the industry, I'm sure you know what you like, and if your ethiks of tediously capturing one line at a time suits you then who am I to argue?
Posted: 2010-11-08 01:14:18
FairyG
I've been an actress for many years and am used to reading ignorant comments about actors, but Bog-Child you really do take the biscuit!

You clearly know nothing about acting in the UK if you think trained actors with agents are focussed on money and that this means they're just out to do a job.

I can assure you that the actors I work with do it because they are passionate about it and do not see it as 'just a job.' As for being focussed on money, that's a laugh! What money? Rarely do I meet an actor who can earn enough to do it full-time. Even experienced actors find it difficult to make a living from it. The competition is huge. Just getting an audition is difficult enough. Trust me, any actor that is in it for the money needs their head examining.

So please, spare us your opinions about trained actors on public forums unless you know what you are talking about

Thank you
Faye
Posted: 2010-11-08 12:38:30
Bog-Child
Webby... i don't want to shoot one line at a time... however, in a worst case scenario, where an actor needs assistance, that approach is something positive to fall back on.

secondly... fairyG... what can i say to you?

firstly, you're an actress, not a bloke, so i don't see why you're bothering to stick your nose in here, as i clearly stated that this is a bloke movie, but as you've stuck your neck out... allow me to chop away !!!

If you've been an actress for many years now, you'll know that agents hate no money projects, as there is nothing in it for them and they love their 10% plus... so kindly disist with your heading of "ignorance", as previous experience has taught me that agents are the worst possible route to travel when no money is on the table, as 10% of nothing pays them nothing, and that's basic.

sure, for an actor the above does not apply, as actors love to act, and given the chance, they will more often than not act for no money, simply because they love acting... thing is, when the only link between me and actors is an agent who won't do shit because there is no financial incentive for them... what do you do?

for an actor, any work is good, as even if no money is there, a chance to expand their showreel is a major plus for them, but if you can't get passed an agent, give up.

Gary Oldman... Steven Berkoff and John Hurt are three such actors who are openly in it for the money... do they need their heads examined?

so wipe your mouth, shave your head and slap your arse, cos you assume to much.

agents are the uneccessary evil.. a link between actor and producer, and they ain't in it cos they're passionate about being an agent... they do it for cash, and if there's nothing in it for them, why should they bother?

and that's me talking from a producers point of view... not an actors point of view.

don't believe me... get a freind to contact your agent on the basis that they have a script but no money, and make sure that their requirements are 100% identical to your own talents, and see if you get a call from them or not, cos you won't.

.
Posted: 2010-11-09 01:30:53
Bog-Child
ORIGINAL: AdrianWebb

If a non actor comes accross as a bad actor, then he hasn't been directed properly,


Makes me wonder why actors bother getting trained if all it takes is proper direction



Webby... once again you're leading with your chin you mug.

i stated that if a "NON ACTOR" comes accross as a bad actor then he hasn't been directed properly..... your argument is that trained actors shouldn't bother getting trained if its a question of direction.

its like i'm talking about muslims and you base your argument on catholics... what's with that? stick to the topic at hand you damn spangle
Posted: 2010-11-09 01:35:06
AdrianWebb
ORIGINAL: FairyG

I've been an actress for many years and am used to reading ignorant comments about actors, but Bog-Child you really do take the biscuit!

You clearly know nothing about acting in the UK if you think trained actors with agents are focussed on money and that this means they're just out to do a job.

I can assure you that the actors I work with do it because they are passionate about it and do not see it as 'just a job.' As for being focussed on money, that's a laugh! What money? Rarely do I meet an actor who can earn enough to do it full-time. Even experienced actors find it difficult to make a living from it. The competition is huge. Just getting an audition is difficult enough. Trust me, any actor that is in it for the money needs their head examining.

So please, spare us your opinions about trained actors on public forums unless you know what you are talking about

Thank you
Faye



Give the guy a break, his real vocation is party programming
Posted: 2010-11-09 08:24:27
AdrianWebb
i stated that if a "NON ACTOR" comes accross as a bad actor then he hasn't been directed properly..... your argument is that trained actors shouldn't bother getting trained if its a question of direction.



It's often the training that makes the distinction between an actor and a non-actor. According to your logic, a young actor, coming out of drama school has wasted his money. Becsuse if he trained in something else he would be a 'non-actor' and therefore can never come across as bad because your superb direction is all that is needed to make a 'non-actor' look good.

Also, just because an actor has an agent it doesn't mean you have to go via their agent to use them. It's just a sign that the actor has invested some time in their career and is serious about acting and isn't just responding to acting ads on a whim. Such people, in my view, are less likely to let you down e.g. by not turning up for auditions.

If you place an ad on one of the links I provided, you can get responses from good, well-trained actors that have an agent, but the agent doesn't need to figure in your dealings with the actor. Just because an actor has an agent it doesn't mean they are not capable of getting a job without involving them.

Anyway, all of this is academic since I can see that these are not the sort of people you are comfortable working with.

My guess is that the feeling would be mutual
Posted: 2010-11-09 08:46:13
John H Fahey
Bog-Child,

Thank you for lecturing us on your theories on acting and agents. Most enlightening. And it's interesting to know that you speak 'from a producers point of view' and have 'been in and out of the industry for more than twenty years'.

But what I'd really like to know is:

Who are you?
Do you have a website?
Do you have a production company?
Do you have on-line links to previous work as either a screenwriter / film-producer / film-director?

I apologise for all the questions, but they are ones every budding actor should ask before responding to ads for work. And as you are a producer with more than 20 years experience, I'm sure you know that there are so many charlatans in this business that are good at talking the talk. They tell us what think and what they have done but when one looks closer you can see that haven't done much at all, beyond filming drunken friends on a mobile phone.

If you are genuine I know you will understand and provide the forum with the answers to my questions
Posted: 2010-11-09 11:47:52
FairyG
ORIGINAL: Bog-Child

Gary Oldman... Steven Berkoff and John Hurt are three such actors who are openly in it for the money... do they need their heads examined?


Are you really as stupid as you are making out? I was pretty obviously talking about actors who cannot earn enough to do it full time, not established stars that can command big fees in Hollywood. The vast majority of actors in the UK cannot afford to act full-time and they aren't in it for the money.

get a freind to contact your agent on the basis that they have a script but no money, and make sure that their requirements are 100% identical to your own talents, and see if you get a call from them or not, cos you won't.


Is this how you think agents should operate? Accepting calls from 'friends' without any money?

Please stop acting and talking as if you are an experienced producer. You are a barely literate, childish fool that knows nothing about the industry and you haven't fooled anyone here for a second. Thankfully, most agents can spot time-wasters like you in a heartbeat and that's why they want nothing to do with you and nor should any actor.

for an actor, any work is good, as even if no money is there, a chance to expand their showreel is a major plus for them,


This is the sort of ignorant rubbish I expected you to come out with at some point. Thankfully even new actors are a lot more savvy these days and less likely to believe the nonsense that its a 'major plus' to work for any idiot with a camera for no money. If actors need showreel material, (and as good cameras are so cheap to hire now) they club together, write or commission a script and create showreel material themselves. They don't need deluded people with no money like you to waste their time with amateurish footage.

For an actor, 'any work' is NOT good. Especially if its unpaid and filmed by people like you.

I see you have a child on your profile picture. Why not do something with your life that would make your child proud of you, instead of throwing childish insults at people on a public forum and pretending you are a film producer? You might be better off.
Posted: 2010-11-10 13:32:47
Page 1 of 3