This is from Nikki Finke’s blog, she was discussing the Screen Actors Guild’s warning to “agents, managers, casting agents, and producers regarding restrictions on campaign contributions.” Apparently there must be some concern by SAG that new candidates are getting outside help, which is, according to them, illegal.

Any-who, not really pertaining to the actual blog, my colleague Laura Adler, who does terrific work, made a comment pertaining to the use of the term “casting agent.” She wrote: “Casting agents??? Seriously? We at the CSA have come to expect this gross misuse of terminology from the media, but coming from those within our industry? It is beyond aggravating!

Casting DIRECTORS. We are called Casting DIRECTORS. There is no such thing as a casting agent. There are agents who rep the talent and there are casting DIRECTORS who cast their clients. Period. Why is this so difficult for people to comprehend?

Please people. I don’t need the aggravation. Please try and call us by our correct title, ok? Thanks.”

There was a response to Laura’s entry from an anonymous actor (I kept it in it’s original form):

“laura, you need to get a grip. even the term “casting director” is a misnomer. In all fairness, the only thing “casting directors” direct is their assistants to get them another cup of coffee. It’s well known that casting “directors” don’t have the power to say “yes” to anything. Only the power to say “no.” It’s the director and producers who cast the film after the “casting director” has set up the appointments. You may be aggravated about “casting directors” being called “casting agents”, but most actors have been aggravated about “casting directors” being called “casting directors” for YEARS. but they set up appointments really, really well.”

Ok, well, without bitching (I promised not to bitch to a friend of mine, in my next blog) I will now refer you to an interview I gave to the “movie whore” (love the name) in his blog about what I do and what casting is all about: (http://themoviewhore.com/2008/07/matt-lessall-the-casting-director-is-in/)

I hope that the above link to my interview helps you understand that we are more then just appointment makers. Believe me if that was all I did (which, truthfully, it is a big part of the job) producers would not need our services. When I was recently hired to do “Labor Pains,” the producer had never used a casting director before. Many of the films she worked on had smaller casts. I know, at the end of the day, she was satisfied (she told me so), but also she felt that having a teammate in the trenches of casting, freed her to concentrate on other departments needs. Casting Directors have to be thought of as department heads on a film. Just like you have the 1^st AD, Locations, Wardrobe, Set Design, etc… All of these jobs are vitally important to a successful film. On “Rocket Science,” I was in the trenches, in Baltimore, in the production office and I saw clearly for the first time, how important it was to integrate and communicate between department heads. Casting informs many if not most of the decisions coming down the pipeline; it informs budget, wardrobe sizes, locations, travel time, craft services, drivers, etc… If there is no cast there is no film…period.

So to the actor (I am assuming that the person responding to Laura was an actor) who wrote that we just set up appointments, I hope you read this and think differently of what we do.

First and foremost, Casting Directors love actors. We are their advocates. But in the real world, we work for “the man” our boss; the producer, and we have to bridge the gap between the producers needs, the directors wishes and the actors’ talents. I would call that, in itself, a huge job, one that is learned and nuanced over several year of internships, becoming an assistant, an associate and finally, A CASTING DIRECTOR.

I

Tags: Filmmaking, , Movie Bloggers, Television, Filmmaker

…I don’t know; I feel like I’m on a space station somewhere east of Mars. I spoke at length, for example, on no less than two occasions to no less than two humanoids at my internet bank, by phone, explaining to them my predicament re. the loss of my debit card. No problem, the first one told me, the card would be replaced after I furnished them with my PIN number which I duly did, which they in turn accepted, no problem. Hmmm, two weeks later I thought I’d better give them a call and see where in the universe the new card might be….No problem, I was told by humanoid number two, it was probably about to arrive as it had been sent out 11 th August so expect it in a couple of days. Four days later..nothing. So, phone them up and guess what…no record of my EVER phoning them about a lost card…I’m sorry? Nope you’ve never reported this lost. OK so what about the 11th August dispatch, me asks? Oh, yes that was 11th August 2005, Sir. OK, says me (by now seriously worried about all that extra-curricular art school stuff I smoked as a lad), how do you explain the ‘four days away’ remark…..? Sorry, but you didn’t speak to anyone…..meltdown……and things have just got worse and worse.Well that was the UK circa two weeks ago and I still have no bank card as I am still not sure if I actually exist. Now, here in LA, I have a whole different set of problems as all my bank accounts from here to Shanghai haemorrage like a badly written script. The move here has just tripled in cost and a sudden expedition to the local emergency room hasn’t exactly helped matters either. Horrendous abdominal pain found me dialling 911 and being blue-lit to a $15,000 hospital bill, thankfully covered by holiday insurance, yet simultaneously providing a stiff kick to the bollocks as a reminder that Health insurance doesn’t come cheap here in California.Add to that a looming house rental in Manhattan Beach (I know, I know there ARE cheaper places to live, but the schools are great and so is the beach….but the restaurants are crap! What’s that about?) plus a new frigging car and the unexpected arrival of all our gear from UK…….whoever expected it to be ON TIME for fucks sake?? Extra storage costs, men to help move it all, trucks and trucks and it seems, more trucks all adds up to more of the same we left behind. Anyway…..life goes on and the kids start there new school tomorrow, I have a couple of preliminary meetings with production companies (commercial) this week but then the missus is off to London for aforementioned work and I take up the role of Dad-at-home, which I am sort of looking forward to but really hoping I don’t have to turn any work away….I hate when that happens. Actually, the worst feeling is the one I have for my wife who is going to be without US for the best part of a month. I know what that feels like but she is a MUM. All this is, I hope, excuse enough for my short or missed (last week) blogs. Personal shit has just swamped everything else for now. Hopefully, I’ll have some FILM related stuff to talk to you about soon. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with my missives so far….who are YOU anyway?? 

Tags: , Movie, Actor, Oscars, Television

It’s easy, really. Just make 500 invitations for your boss’s “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow” party (celebrating her new hair extensions; yes, ONLY in L.A.!)… BY HAND. You, too, will overdose on bright pink and orange neon puff paint fumes. I know you’re laughing at the thought of such a thing, but it’s true…

So I just finished the invites… and I can barely type this, my hand hurts so much from those blasted puff paints. At times like this, I wish I were ambidextrous.

And you know how I thought each bottle would cover about five invites? I was wrong. Three invites. Tops. Plus, then there was the drying time… And the rushing-back-to-the-store-for-more time. (The first Michael’s ran out of neon, so I had to go to a couple other ones all over town. Fun. But at least I get reimbursed for mileage.)

So did the senior citizens help me out…? You bet they did. They loved it! They said it was a nice change from making “50th Wedding Anniversary” and “75th Birthday” invitations for their friends. And they loooooooooved Chloe’s hair (believe it or not!) and asked me 101 questions about hair extensions. Most of them thought it was pretty frivolous (as did I), yet they were also intrigued: “Why would someone want to extend their hair?” Good question… “That’s an… interesting hair color choice.” That’s one word for it. “Is that hair real?!” Supposedly… They also loved all the neon puff paint colors; I love senior citizens.

For the next several hours, about fifteen women (and one man) and I puff painted our little hearts out. I insisted on paying them with petty cash (I’d make up an excuse to Chloe later; perhaps I’d have to “lose” a grocery receipt, or something), but they insisted on not taking a dime (something sooooo, sooooo rare in L.A.). Instead, I promised to come help them with some crochet and knitting projects sometime soon (though I’ve never picked up a needle). (I also promised myself to drop off some cookies or brownies for them even sooner.)

I got home around midnight and safely stowed the invites away until morning. I went to bed… only to be awakened around 1 a.m. by my cell. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” started playing, full-blast; my ringtone for Chloe. Uh. I pick up…

“Avery?!” she shouted. Fuck, dudette, settle down. “I didn’t get it!” Get what…?! Shit, I couldn’t remember what she was referencing. Oh… the audition. She started crying. I told her I’d be right over…

I arrived at Chloe’s, proudly holding the 500 invites in my hand as I walked up to the house. She opened the door before I could even ring the bell… only, I didn’t recognize her under her tear-stained face and messy hair… Wait… her hair…! “They wanted someone with shorter hair!” she wailed. I then looked at her. Her hair was a mess – and SHORT. Her hair extensions were now IN HER HAND. WTF?! “Cancel the party,” she said, covering her face with her hands and motioning for me to come in. I stared at the invitations in my hand forlornly as I followed her inside.

Did I ever tell you how much I hate this job?

Tags: Movie, Film, Filmmaker, Filmmaking, Director

After many interviews, I’ve noticed an interesting cultural divide. In general (this is the signal that you are about to be fed a whopping generalization - be forewarned), American actors are very hesitant to give opinions. Whereas British actors offer opinions without even needing a question.  

Why is this? 

Both camps are very cautious – and fairly so – about giving any details about their personal lives. If you’ve read any of my previous blog entries, you already know my thoughts on that subject. But when it comes to opinions about how your film will be received, the struggle to get it made, the message, maybe even some kind of analysis of its content…there is a big divide.  

As a writer and admitted cultural studies junkie, I find this fascinating. And I’d be very curious to know what others think. 

British actors get very excited when given the opportunity to give their opinion on politics, class, the pain in the ass elements that made it tough to get their picture financed, the way the director pushed them around to get what s/he wanted. They seem to revel in the chance to have a real conversation.  

American actors are very cautious. And are particularly careful about what they say about anyone involved in the film. It’s like a secret code. Say nothing bad. If you say anything bad, your career will be over and everyone will blacklist you. So be very, very careful where you step little one. 

It’s weird. And makes for some tough (and boring) interviews. But I’m guessing that there must be an unspoken code. Or that managers and agents coach their clients never to say bad things. Until you’re such a big star that everyone is afraid of you and you can say whatever you please.  

Such a shame. The best interviews happen when you talk to an actor who is impassioned about her work and its place in the world. It sucks that people have to tiptoe around what they say for fear of being lambasted or blacklisted. But then, that problem isn’t just limited to interviews.

Tags: Movie, Television, Movie Theatre, Film, Oscars

Tags: Movie, Hollywood, Movie Bloggers, Filmmaking, Director

Well now, I’ve had a rather rough patch of it as far as workgoes. As we ALLLLL  know, the “defacto” SAG strike has kicked all of our collective butts.

I haven’t worked on a feature since the demise/hiatus of a bigfilm I was on, but thankfully, I got some commercial work.

Let’s say, a lot, actually. Thank you, God!!!!  I was assigned to do ten commercialsfor a production company that I work with on a semi-regular basis. I won’t namethe project or the company as it could have ended a little better. As we areall human, people got tired on the last day, and there were blow ups.

 It got to thepoint that I just signed my time card and walked out of the office. SEVENTEENhours after I started that morning. It was a very long last day and everythinghad to be completed. Thankfully, two colleagues were able to pitch in with theboards and we got it done.

I was as tired as I ever was. But then, I had to start a newgig on the following day with my friend, Bennett Miller. Thankfully, we metduring the evening where I could recharge my batteries. This job was not asshot specific (there would be improvising upon shooting) but I still had a lotof boards to do.

For all of you single, non parents who complain about neverhaving time to yourselves, please shutup. I love my wife and my son, but when I have a deadline, “family time”can get me a little cranky.

Only because that time away from drawing is time added to atthe end of the day. My wife and son and I made quick trip to the beach to getmy son some fresh air, but I ended up once again finishing a gig well aftermidnight.

No, I don’t chargemy client for this. I bill according to the hours I put in, but let me tellyou, I was wiped at the end of the job. I am wiped as I write this blog, but Iam trying to be on time with it, as I have fallen behind recently.

Storyboarding is something that takes time. Having a HAPPYfamily demands time. The two do not always go hand in hand. One has to occasionallychain them together like Poitier and Curtis in THE DEFIANT ONES. Or, Pam Grierand the blonde in BLACK MAMA, WHITE MAMA.

Your choice.

Tags: Hollywood, Oscars, Film, Television, Director

Sorry for the delinquent blogging, but my wife and I had a baby boy and things have been a bit hectic. Please send all college fund contributions to Bill Essling c/o Local 80.
A grip in the entertainment industry gets some strange requests. It seems that if a particular job …

Tags: Movie Bloggers, Filmmaking, Movie Blog, Film Blog, Hollywood

This past week in Variety, Ann Thompson continues the discussion that my inaugural post introduced to the Film Industry Bloggers community. Namely, that of the state …

Tags: Hollywood, Oscars, Movie, Movie, Director

Robert Downey Jr. and I share one common experience…we have both performed in blackface.

Mr. Downey’s extraordinary performance in TROPIC THUNDER, part Plantation, part Blaxploitation, is the subject of much contentious debate. Is a transracial portrayal legitimate if done just for the sake of humor, or only if it conveys points that can’t otherwise be made? The principle target of Ben Stiller’s movie is Hollywood narcissism, yet it is Downey’s bold embrace of a taboo that everyone will remember.

My performance got into trouble on legal rather than racial grounds. On a late night live-to-air show, with comedy skits bracketing commercial breaks, I appeared in blackface as Matt Black TV critic of the Daily Gutter, until Matt White, TV critic of the Daily Mirror, threatened to sue.

For me, the humor was not racial; it was wordplay, supported by make-up. The fact that its racial insensitivity did not even occur to me, in my ignorance of the context I was invoking, was reflective of white attitudes of the times. This was Australia in 1966, where the British-made Black and White Minstrel Show still aired on the government broadcasting network and would continue to air for years. In Australia’s 1967 movie JOURNEY OUT OF DARKNESS, the two lead characters, both Aboriginal, were played by white Ed Devereaux in blackface and the Pakistani singer Kamahl.

The late Ed Devereaux, a great Australian actor, pictured here on the left, went on to play more than 80 roles in film and television. In the background is Uluru, then called “Ayer’s Rock” by white Australians. It is probably the most sacred site for indigenous Australians. I staged a fight on top of it, flew hanggliders off it, and blew up a car in front of it, when the Northern Territory government controlled the land. It never occurred to me that I might be doing something offensive to another culture. Not then the prevailing wisdom. Uluru has now returned to Aboriginal control. Location permits are in their hands, as they should be.

Fifty years later Australia is a more racially sensitive, multicultural community. (Although there’s still a way to go, after the stubbornness of the Howard years.) I like to think my consciousness has evolved too. Yet, only when I saw Spike Lee’s MALCOLM X, one of the great educative films of the 90’s, did I realize how the word “black” has been used as a pejorative in the English language: black hearted, black sheep, etc. Make a list. How myopic was that?

Perhaps all well-intentioned white people still have a way to go to eliminate blinkered and paternalistic attitudes.

But a sea change is coming, one way or the other, in November. Americans who claim they are color blind will have to look into their hearts and decide where they really stand. In a recent US survey, 10% of respondents admitted they did not feel comfortable voting for a black President. How many others will keep their prejudice to themselves until they are alone in the polling booth is a worrying question, given that the upcoming election is the most important Americans have faced since they elected FDR.

So, in this climate, Ben Stiller’s TROPIC THUNDER is ahead of the curve in using provocative comedy to stimulate timely debate on racial issues. It seems unfair to slam TROPIC THUNDER for blackface, and yet give a pass to the Wayans brothers’ transgender, transracial comedy, WHITE CHICKS. (Made me laugh)

I offer by way of comparison an early example of a white actor in blackface employed for what was intended to be a socially redeeming purpose. Click the poster and you will be linked to 5 extracts from the 1964 movie BLACK LIKE ME, which was based on a true story of a white journalist who posed as black to experience daily prejudice first hand.

While James Whitmore, a marvelous actor with a long career, does his best with the role, the dialogue creaks with earnestness. But it was a brave project in 1964, and an interesting social studies time capsule today.

To me the race issue is simple - and I know I am hardly inventing the wheel here: there is only one race, the human race. In coming centuries, intermarriage will have obliterated racial differences for much of the world. We may chose to find other reasons to mistreat our fellow man, but pigmentation will not be one of them. So the outcome is inevitable; the sooner we all hurry along that path the better.

Tags: Movie, Film Blog, Hollywood, , Actor

Tags: Movie, Movie Blog, Movie, , Oscars