I've been tagged by the lovely Nic....
If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
In a really big, old tree. Would take care to not damage the tree of course.
What’s your favorite article of clothing?
My zebra-print faux-fur coat.
What’s the last CD that you bought?
Goodness knows. That would have been years ago. However, a few days ago someone gave me a sample CD of The Lion King music.
Where’s your favorite place to be?
On a stage in an empty theatre.
Where’s your least favorite place to be?
On the table in an operating theatre.
What’s your favorite place to be massaged?
My face.
Strong in mind or strong in body?
That's a tough one. Both have their moments. Final answer, though: mind.
What time do you wake up in the morning?
Usually about 5.30 or 6-ish. Then Miss B potters around while I lie in bed dozing until Miss T joins in the fun at about 6.45.
What is your favorite kitchen appliance?
I really don't think about my kitchen appliances that deeply. Mmmmm... my juicer probably would be if I ever used it.
What makes you really angry?
People refusing to listen to or see another point of view about something. Narrow-mindedness I guess.
...gee this is a really long questionnaire...
If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
I can play guitar, sax and a tiny bit of piano (though haven't played any of those much for years!). I'd like to get better at all of those, and learn drums.
Which do you prefer…sports car or SUV?
SUV for when I have the kids with me and sports car for when I don't (what? I can have both if I wanna!)
Do you believe in an afterlife?
Curently, not sure. I would like to though.
Favorite children’s book?
Peepo, by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
To be in two places at the same time.
If you have a tattoo, what is it?
For years I've been wanting to get a sunflower for T and a bear cub for B, but lately I"ve kinda changed my mind. Maybe Angelina and Johnny can get away with tattoos but not sure how much they'd help my casting chances... perhaps I'll wait until I'm up there enough for my casting chances to take care of themselves... or perhaps I won't.... maybe I'm bold and carefree enough to not worry about it... or maybe not... :-)
Can you juggle?
Yes - two children, a pot of mashed potatoes, a telephone, a child's drink bottle and miscellaneous extras.... I practise nearly every night. :-)
The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to?
A boyfriend that I dumped really meanly on New Year's Day. Who does that???
What’s your favorite day?
My girls' birthdays. (neither of which are today, Lusi!)(but thanks for calling!)
What’s in the boot of your car?
BORING stuff!
Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?
I'm trying to talk myself into saying sushi so that I'll sound healthy... but it wouldn't be true...
Okay... Jo, I tag you (you slack blogger, you). :-)
Monday, 25 September 2006
*pout* and *lordy me!*
Just having a bit of a sulk today. Feeling a bit insecure and anxious about the whole do-dah of trying to get acting work. I haven't heard back from the film director, the agent person who said she'd call me back hasn't called, and recent auditions have been dodgy and uncomfortable.
Ah well, life goes on... (long after the thrill....)
And another thing that's making me a bit stroppy. What makes people think it's okay to just claim famous people as their own? I read an article last week about a Scottish girl who has been chosen to audition for the role of Johanna in Tim Burton's film of Sweeney Todd. In the interview she said "Johnny Depp's a great actor, and my future husband, so it'd be good to meet him early". Apparently other people think it's cute and funny that she said that. I think it's rude. Depp is very happily shacked up (in the classiest sense of the phrase of course!) with Vanessa Paradis and their two children. Would you speak about any other happily married family man as if he was planning to marry you one day? I ruddy well hope not.
I also recently read a similar comment relating to Tom Cruise.
Big-time actors might have to cope with their lives being constantly put in the spotlight, but I really don't think they should have to put up with that kind of comment. It's just not classy, people.
(because I know. I myself am uber-classy. and don't you forget it. baby.)
Edited to add - just after posting earlier, I was strolling through my usual blog-reading list and came across this article reviewing a controversial new "biography" of Nicole Kidman. Turns out it's not a biography at all really, just a freaky man's account of her life and film career from his lustful point of view. The quotes provided there are really disturbing. How dare anyone think it's okay to write a book with such descriptive and invasive imagery of someone he's actually got zero relationship with? He seems to think that Kidman is a film star simply and purely for his own pleasure. Geez, man... there are magazines for people like you.
All of which begs the question, of course... what if I do succeed at establishing a great film career, and bcome famous, and people start writing/saying trashy things like this about me? I guess the only thing to do is ignore the tripe, and not let it get you down. And in the meantime... keep myintegrity, stick to myvalues and trust myself in every step I take. Then, wherever I end up, I'll know I'm in the right place and I won't have any reason to worry about the trash.
Ah well, life goes on... (long after the thrill....)
And another thing that's making me a bit stroppy. What makes people think it's okay to just claim famous people as their own? I read an article last week about a Scottish girl who has been chosen to audition for the role of Johanna in Tim Burton's film of Sweeney Todd. In the interview she said "Johnny Depp's a great actor, and my future husband, so it'd be good to meet him early". Apparently other people think it's cute and funny that she said that. I think it's rude. Depp is very happily shacked up (in the classiest sense of the phrase of course!) with Vanessa Paradis and their two children. Would you speak about any other happily married family man as if he was planning to marry you one day? I ruddy well hope not.
I also recently read a similar comment relating to Tom Cruise.
Big-time actors might have to cope with their lives being constantly put in the spotlight, but I really don't think they should have to put up with that kind of comment. It's just not classy, people.
(because I know. I myself am uber-classy. and don't you forget it. baby.)
Edited to add - just after posting earlier, I was strolling through my usual blog-reading list and came across this article reviewing a controversial new "biography" of Nicole Kidman. Turns out it's not a biography at all really, just a freaky man's account of her life and film career from his lustful point of view. The quotes provided there are really disturbing. How dare anyone think it's okay to write a book with such descriptive and invasive imagery of someone he's actually got zero relationship with? He seems to think that Kidman is a film star simply and purely for his own pleasure. Geez, man... there are magazines for people like you.
All of which begs the question, of course... what if I do succeed at establishing a great film career, and bcome famous, and people start writing/saying trashy things like this about me? I guess the only thing to do is ignore the tripe, and not let it get you down. And in the meantime... keep myintegrity, stick to myvalues and trust myself in every step I take. Then, wherever I end up, I'll know I'm in the right place and I won't have any reason to worry about the trash.
Sunday, 24 September 2006
You are really really tiny.
So, just in case you thought you were anything remotely important, check out this photograph of Earth, taken by Voyager 1 in 1990. Earth is inside the blue circle.
"Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every 'superstar,' every 'supreme leader,' every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there — on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam. ... There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."
"Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every 'superstar,' every 'supreme leader,' every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there — on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam. ... There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."
- Carl Sagan, from his book "Pale Blue Dot; a vision of the human future in space".
Nothing new, of course. Striking, nonetheless.
Thursday, 21 September 2006
Audition Schmaudition
Blah. This is probably a silly thing to be annoyed about, but anyway, I reserve the right to be annoyed.
I went in to the city today for what was booked as an audition for a short student film. So, I learnt the script, dressed appropriately to the character, spent a couple of hours (return) on trains. And turns out Mr "I'm-going-to-be-a-big-time-movie-director-one-day" Student Director didn't want to do anything more today than chat about the film and the character. He asked me about myself and what I thought of the character, taping the whole while, and form that he will put togather a short-list and then audition people in pairs or groups at a later date.
It's probably a perfectly sensible way to cast a film and this guy, to be honest, really did seem to know what he was on about, but I just felt like it was all a bit much to be expecting for an unpaid student short. Maybe he thought everyone would just be coming from 5 minutes away or popping in on the way to something else.
I guess I'm just annoyed because in making the decision of either really connecting with the character or learning the script - I erred on the side of learning the script today, which is not what I usually do. And really, the character as written in the script is pretty flimsy so I didn't really have much to say.
So maybe what it all boils down to is that I'm annoyed because it didn't go well. Hmm.
In other news... the "ghost woman" film. I tried calling the director yesterday and didn't get through, so then figured if he wanted me he would've called or emailed me and figured I'd missed out on an audition. But this afternoon I decided I might as well call and let him know that if he's still auditioning, I'm still interested. So, I did, and he answered (yay, he exists!). He said he's in the middle of casting now and talking with his casting person, but he still may want me to audition. He'll let me know tonight or tomorrow. Which is nice - he could've just said "nope, you missed your chance" I suppose.
And in other other news... Noel, of all people, said today "hey we have to go see Macbeth".
"Egads", thinks Sumara. "My husband, suggesting we go see an arty-farty Australian Shakespeare film?"
Of course then he followed it up with "because apparently Mick Molloy is really excellent in it, he does some huge nurder scene and makes it really real."
Mick Molloy? Killing people? In Shakespeare? Who'da thunk it? Sounds good though, hey.
I went in to the city today for what was booked as an audition for a short student film. So, I learnt the script, dressed appropriately to the character, spent a couple of hours (return) on trains. And turns out Mr "I'm-going-to-be-a-big-time-movie-director-one-day" Student Director didn't want to do anything more today than chat about the film and the character. He asked me about myself and what I thought of the character, taping the whole while, and form that he will put togather a short-list and then audition people in pairs or groups at a later date.
It's probably a perfectly sensible way to cast a film and this guy, to be honest, really did seem to know what he was on about, but I just felt like it was all a bit much to be expecting for an unpaid student short. Maybe he thought everyone would just be coming from 5 minutes away or popping in on the way to something else.
I guess I'm just annoyed because in making the decision of either really connecting with the character or learning the script - I erred on the side of learning the script today, which is not what I usually do. And really, the character as written in the script is pretty flimsy so I didn't really have much to say.
So maybe what it all boils down to is that I'm annoyed because it didn't go well. Hmm.
In other news... the "ghost woman" film. I tried calling the director yesterday and didn't get through, so then figured if he wanted me he would've called or emailed me and figured I'd missed out on an audition. But this afternoon I decided I might as well call and let him know that if he's still auditioning, I'm still interested. So, I did, and he answered (yay, he exists!). He said he's in the middle of casting now and talking with his casting person, but he still may want me to audition. He'll let me know tonight or tomorrow. Which is nice - he could've just said "nope, you missed your chance" I suppose.
And in other other news... Noel, of all people, said today "hey we have to go see Macbeth".
"Egads", thinks Sumara. "My husband, suggesting we go see an arty-farty Australian Shakespeare film?"
Of course then he followed it up with "because apparently Mick Molloy is really excellent in it, he does some huge nurder scene and makes it really real."
Mick Molloy? Killing people? In Shakespeare? Who'da thunk it? Sounds good though, hey.
Wednesday, 20 September 2006
Extraordinary Gentlemen
I watched The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen last night with Noel... it has one line in it about a pirate so apparently it qualified as movie of choice for Talk Like a Pirate Day. ;-)
I really enjoyed it. Even though Sean Connery gives me the irrits, I did manage to watch all the way through without growling "learn how to speak!" at the screen. (I know, I know, he's a legend that guy, a great actor, I mean no disrespect) As I said to Noel it was a story that could have turned out just stupid, but it didn't quite, despite some odd moments.
As each new character was revealed I either laughed or groaned. My favourite was the revealing of who "M" is, I had a great laugh with that one. :-) (eerr, you have to see it, and you have to know a little bit about plenty of other stories too... I don't want to give it away)
Overall, there was nothing remarkably spectacular about the plot or acting (although I did love Stuart Townsend as Dorian Gray - his ability to communicate with his eyes and body reminded me of Depp) , and the special effects were only special in the "my mummy says I'm special" kinda way. However, it was well put together, I guess, because I felt taken along on a great, fun adventure with some really cool people. I was intrigued. It felt a bit Indiana-Jones-ish.
Meanwhile, today I'm hanging round waiting for the director of the "ghost-woman" film to get back to me. Auditions are supposed to be tonight and he hasn't answered my (two) emails. Perhaps I'll check if there's a phone number and properly hassle him...
I really enjoyed it. Even though Sean Connery gives me the irrits, I did manage to watch all the way through without growling "learn how to speak!" at the screen. (I know, I know, he's a legend that guy, a great actor, I mean no disrespect) As I said to Noel it was a story that could have turned out just stupid, but it didn't quite, despite some odd moments.
As each new character was revealed I either laughed or groaned. My favourite was the revealing of who "M" is, I had a great laugh with that one. :-) (eerr, you have to see it, and you have to know a little bit about plenty of other stories too... I don't want to give it away)
Overall, there was nothing remarkably spectacular about the plot or acting (although I did love Stuart Townsend as Dorian Gray - his ability to communicate with his eyes and body reminded me of Depp) , and the special effects were only special in the "my mummy says I'm special" kinda way. However, it was well put together, I guess, because I felt taken along on a great, fun adventure with some really cool people. I was intrigued. It felt a bit Indiana-Jones-ish.
Meanwhile, today I'm hanging round waiting for the director of the "ghost-woman" film to get back to me. Auditions are supposed to be tonight and he hasn't answered my (two) emails. Perhaps I'll check if there's a phone number and properly hassle him...
Tuesday, 19 September 2006
Cheer up me hearties...
Because I haven't gone completely mad, I promise. And I've been informed by the only resident captain of this here ship that there shall be no pirate viewing this evening. Humpph.
Anyway, the reason for my post - this here article on Aussie cinema, saying that this years' entries in the Toronto International Film Festival are a big step for all those poor neglected Aussie filmmakers to getting our industry back on track, and getting back a bit more of the world stage limelight.
Hope he's right. :)
Anyway, the reason for my post - this here article on Aussie cinema, saying that this years' entries in the Toronto International Film Festival are a big step for all those poor neglected Aussie filmmakers to getting our industry back on track, and getting back a bit more of the world stage limelight.
Hope he's right. :)
Yo ho, yo ho...
Aarrgghh!
It be Talk Like a Pirate Day! Ye be warned - any of you scab'rous dogs caught not talking like one shall be finding himself taking a long walk off a short plank!
Sounds to me like a mighty fine reason for an evening viewing of Curse of the Black Pearl. Aahh, the Pearl....
Just be needin some rum then, and a fine Captain to make the evenin' worthwhile... a desert island too, perhaps.
Though I think the particular Captain I have in mind is rather busy right now, in LA, or sailing back from "de end of de eart", one of the two...
(Savvy?)
It be Talk Like a Pirate Day! Ye be warned - any of you scab'rous dogs caught not talking like one shall be finding himself taking a long walk off a short plank!
Sounds to me like a mighty fine reason for an evening viewing of Curse of the Black Pearl. Aahh, the Pearl....
Just be needin some rum then, and a fine Captain to make the evenin' worthwhile... a desert island too, perhaps.
Though I think the particular Captain I have in mind is rather busy right now, in LA, or sailing back from "de end of de eart", one of the two...
(Savvy?)
Saturday, 16 September 2006
Character acting
I found this article on character actors and why they're successful at what they do. As I'm planning to be a brilliant character actor myself (wink wink, nudge nudge), I thought what he observed was very interesting. My favourite thing that he says is that even when playing a very unusual, far-fetched character (or even just one who's far removed from your usual self), you still need to be yourself - the actor's self and body are her only tools.
An actor doesn't become another person - it's more like allowing another person to invade your mind and body with their sensibilities, their history, their memories, their morality. As this writer says - you are still using pieces of yourself to make the character come alive - it's just a matter of "exploiting" those pieces "out of context".
Anyway, I liked it. That blog has some interesting articles, although most of them read like teasers or adverts for his online book on acting. (which is free anyway, so there's nothing wrong with that really.)
Nothing much going on with me lately - I'm still waiting to hear about the role in that film, although I have been in touch with the director since and I'm still getting pretty positive vibes, so that's all good. I have another two short film auditions next week (or maybe only one - one of them I'm not really all that keen on so might not bother, depending on what happens with the other one). The one I'm really interested in is a "ghost woman" character, who kills people in "watery graves" and is constantly dripping wet in every scene. Sounds like great fun!
I've also applied for a paid presenting role for a short corporate film. That would definitely be very handy. :-)
An actor doesn't become another person - it's more like allowing another person to invade your mind and body with their sensibilities, their history, their memories, their morality. As this writer says - you are still using pieces of yourself to make the character come alive - it's just a matter of "exploiting" those pieces "out of context".
Anyway, I liked it. That blog has some interesting articles, although most of them read like teasers or adverts for his online book on acting. (which is free anyway, so there's nothing wrong with that really.)
Nothing much going on with me lately - I'm still waiting to hear about the role in that film, although I have been in touch with the director since and I'm still getting pretty positive vibes, so that's all good. I have another two short film auditions next week (or maybe only one - one of them I'm not really all that keen on so might not bother, depending on what happens with the other one). The one I'm really interested in is a "ghost woman" character, who kills people in "watery graves" and is constantly dripping wet in every scene. Sounds like great fun!
I've also applied for a paid presenting role for a short corporate film. That would definitely be very handy. :-)
Tuesday, 12 September 2006
Jindabyne
I saw Jindabyne on the weekend, and I've been thinking and thinking about it, trying to decide what I think of it. Truly, I just don't know what I think. It just didn't grab me.
It was well made, and the story it told was worth telling... but to me, there's something missing. I think the script was a bit dodgy. There was beautiful photography and some nice performances, but overall I just wasn't impressed (but I wasn't UNimpressed either). Perhaps I need to see it again to 'get' it.
Laura Linney as one of the leads really annoyed me. I just didn't understand what Claire was on about. There was this weird backstory that was briefly touched on but never really dealt with, and so much weirdness in the character that didn't feel real to me. I just didn't really believe her.
Oh, and lots of little side-stories and sub-plots that I wanted to know more about... perhaps they were just there as extensions of the "sudden inexplicable occurrences" theme... perhaps the director wanted us to feel confused and reaching for something, because that's what the characters are going through. Maybe?
I'll see it again if I get a chance and try to pay more attention to the good bits. :)
It was well made, and the story it told was worth telling... but to me, there's something missing. I think the script was a bit dodgy. There was beautiful photography and some nice performances, but overall I just wasn't impressed (but I wasn't UNimpressed either). Perhaps I need to see it again to 'get' it.
Laura Linney as one of the leads really annoyed me. I just didn't understand what Claire was on about. There was this weird backstory that was briefly touched on but never really dealt with, and so much weirdness in the character that didn't feel real to me. I just didn't really believe her.
Oh, and lots of little side-stories and sub-plots that I wanted to know more about... perhaps they were just there as extensions of the "sudden inexplicable occurrences" theme... perhaps the director wanted us to feel confused and reaching for something, because that's what the characters are going through. Maybe?
I'll see it again if I get a chance and try to pay more attention to the good bits. :)
Wednesday, 6 September 2006
Aaahhh...
The sound of heavy lashing rain is just devine. There's something that's just incredibly sensuous and spiritual about rain.
Ok, I couldn't resist. It started hailing so I went outside to watch and listen. When the hail stopped I stood out in the rain and just felt the rapture of the moment. Mmmmm.
I'm watching Before Sunrise at the moment. Well, sort of watching, in between typing here and loving the rain outside. But I did watch it properly on the weekend. It's kinda kooky but fascinating. I love the idea of it nad the story of it but I'm left feeling that I wish I could fall in love with the two characters. I want to love them and I think the film wants me to love them but I don't quite. I'm not sure why that is. Although, listening now, I do love and understand them a bit more the 2nd time. Perhaps if I watch it a few times I will discover them properly.
Yesterday I watched The Doors . Noel bought it for me, bless 'im. When I first saw this film (I must've been about 14, and I've always loved The Doors), I fell totally in teenage fangirl lust with Val Kilmer. Sexy, sexy man. And... er, he's still pretty good. :) I can't be objective about the film because I grew up loving The Doors, and Jim has been one of my huge inspirations since forever... I think Kilmer and Meg Ryan and, especially, the blokes playing Ray and John and Robbie all did brilliant work.
I just read a few comments about Kilmer's performance and apparently even the original band members (see, it's not just me!) were amazed and impressed with his singing and the way he captured Jim so well. He did most of the singing in the film himself, that's pretty impressive.
Anyway, (last paragraph of this rambling entry I promise) I'm on a bit of a mission to watch more films, and to get to know more actors and directors and writers... so, feel free to recommend any and all films you think I should watch as part of my education. :)
Ok, I couldn't resist. It started hailing so I went outside to watch and listen. When the hail stopped I stood out in the rain and just felt the rapture of the moment. Mmmmm.
I'm watching Before Sunrise at the moment. Well, sort of watching, in between typing here and loving the rain outside. But I did watch it properly on the weekend. It's kinda kooky but fascinating. I love the idea of it nad the story of it but I'm left feeling that I wish I could fall in love with the two characters. I want to love them and I think the film wants me to love them but I don't quite. I'm not sure why that is. Although, listening now, I do love and understand them a bit more the 2nd time. Perhaps if I watch it a few times I will discover them properly.
Yesterday I watched The Doors . Noel bought it for me, bless 'im. When I first saw this film (I must've been about 14, and I've always loved The Doors), I fell totally in teenage fangirl lust with Val Kilmer. Sexy, sexy man. And... er, he's still pretty good. :) I can't be objective about the film because I grew up loving The Doors, and Jim has been one of my huge inspirations since forever... I think Kilmer and Meg Ryan and, especially, the blokes playing Ray and John and Robbie all did brilliant work.
I just read a few comments about Kilmer's performance and apparently even the original band members (see, it's not just me!) were amazed and impressed with his singing and the way he captured Jim so well. He did most of the singing in the film himself, that's pretty impressive.
Anyway, (last paragraph of this rambling entry I promise) I'm on a bit of a mission to watch more films, and to get to know more actors and directors and writers... so, feel free to recommend any and all films you think I should watch as part of my education. :)
Friday, 1 September 2006
Great audition!
Yay!
On the train into the city today, I was really excited about meeting R, the director of this feature film. As I got closer to the city I was increasingly nervous and as the train approached my stop I was wriggling in my seat with nerves and anticipation. And I thought to myself "wow, I haven't been this nervous in ages. This is going to be great!"
And it was. R found me at the station and I was immediately really comfortable with him.He bought me a drink at a cafe and we chatted for a while about the script and his plans for the film, as well as about me and him and films we like and our partners.
Then, back to his parents' office nearby for the actual audition. The office was a complete mess and we just fitted ourselves in amongst hundreds of boxes of stuff, picked out some scenes from the script and R set up a camera on top of a pile of books on a table. All the while we chatted about films and actors and directors and the film script, and then finally got around to reading a few scenes. When I named the character I preferred, M, he said that everyone says that and that he was having trouble finding anyone for the other female lead, S, because nobody likes her. I said I was happy to read for both and let R see what he thought.
We started with M, the main character's love interest. He then proceeded to heap me with praise, saying I did great, that I'd really captured the character, my accent was perfect (she's English but he wanted only a subtle accent) and he loved my eyes. I felt very flattered (and said so!). We did another scene for M and again R seemed really impressed.
We then talked a bit about the other girl, S, and read one of her scenes. When I said what I thought about the character, it was obvious I'd seen her differently to what he envisioned but he said "oh wow, I hadn't seen it like that. You've made me see her a bit differently". I thought that was cool - he could easily have said "no, she's not that, she's more this..." but he wasn't like that at all. He said that he actually liked me better for M, but that what I'd said about S had really helped him to see where he needs to go with her (in terms of writing more of her).
R did say at one point that as a director he firmly believes that the character belongs to the actor - that he writes them and offers direction but he'd never make a character do something the actor didn't think was right for them. He always takes close notice of what an actor says about their character. I like it. :)
We chatted about Pirates, Plunkett and Macleane, The Libertine, The Godfather, Jim Jarmusch, Richard Linklater, Kevin Smith, offensive jokes (there's one in the script), round-the-world travel, shooting schedules, ... I had a great time. I left feeling incredibly positive.
The short film audition, after that, was a big contrast. The location was ridiculously difficult to find, and the director etc were rather uncommunicative and disorganised. I think that one went pretty badly but I don't mind at all. It just felt all weird and difficult.
In all though, a fantastic day.
Much happiness. :)
On the train into the city today, I was really excited about meeting R, the director of this feature film. As I got closer to the city I was increasingly nervous and as the train approached my stop I was wriggling in my seat with nerves and anticipation. And I thought to myself "wow, I haven't been this nervous in ages. This is going to be great!"
And it was. R found me at the station and I was immediately really comfortable with him.He bought me a drink at a cafe and we chatted for a while about the script and his plans for the film, as well as about me and him and films we like and our partners.
Then, back to his parents' office nearby for the actual audition. The office was a complete mess and we just fitted ourselves in amongst hundreds of boxes of stuff, picked out some scenes from the script and R set up a camera on top of a pile of books on a table. All the while we chatted about films and actors and directors and the film script, and then finally got around to reading a few scenes. When I named the character I preferred, M, he said that everyone says that and that he was having trouble finding anyone for the other female lead, S, because nobody likes her. I said I was happy to read for both and let R see what he thought.
We started with M, the main character's love interest. He then proceeded to heap me with praise, saying I did great, that I'd really captured the character, my accent was perfect (she's English but he wanted only a subtle accent) and he loved my eyes. I felt very flattered (and said so!). We did another scene for M and again R seemed really impressed.
We then talked a bit about the other girl, S, and read one of her scenes. When I said what I thought about the character, it was obvious I'd seen her differently to what he envisioned but he said "oh wow, I hadn't seen it like that. You've made me see her a bit differently". I thought that was cool - he could easily have said "no, she's not that, she's more this..." but he wasn't like that at all. He said that he actually liked me better for M, but that what I'd said about S had really helped him to see where he needs to go with her (in terms of writing more of her).
R did say at one point that as a director he firmly believes that the character belongs to the actor - that he writes them and offers direction but he'd never make a character do something the actor didn't think was right for them. He always takes close notice of what an actor says about their character. I like it. :)
We chatted about Pirates, Plunkett and Macleane, The Libertine, The Godfather, Jim Jarmusch, Richard Linklater, Kevin Smith, offensive jokes (there's one in the script), round-the-world travel, shooting schedules, ... I had a great time. I left feeling incredibly positive.
The short film audition, after that, was a big contrast. The location was ridiculously difficult to find, and the director etc were rather uncommunicative and disorganised. I think that one went pretty badly but I don't mind at all. It just felt all weird and difficult.
In all though, a fantastic day.
Much happiness. :)
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