Calling all casting directors! Actors to watch…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with several young actors who delivered eye catching performances then went onto substantial careers. Nicole Kidman in BMX BANDITS and Chace Crawford in LONG LOST SON, to name two. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generally in every cast, there’s someone who totally nails it in every scene, an actor who exceeds your expectations, and you know has a future in this tough business of ours.  (Remember, this is a business founded on rumor, driven by greed, ruled by fear, and operating in an irrational universe. It attracts approval seekers and rewards them with constant rejection. It is not for the faint of heart. Good luck!)    So it is a particular blessing when you get a cast that not only scores high in the moments focused on their own character but also melds into a supportive ensemble behind their fellow actors. So it was with my PORKY’S cast. Their ability to work together, come up with improv to embellish a scene, incorporate a gag line I just thought of and threw at them in the middle of a take…they were just outstanding. Give me a reason to cut to you, I said at the cast reading, and they did. So they deserve The Blog of Praise. Ladies first

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whitney Anderson started in kids movies like PREHYSTERIA 3. That would have been some baptism of fire! She went on to regular television guest roles, and a recent part in the cult hit ZOMBIE STRIPPERS. She works with a sketch comedy group, so her improv ability is well honed, and she offered nice zingers. She always had a reaction to every beat of the other actor’s dialogue. So useful when editing. I’d love to see her as a lead in a sitcom. For that matter, her look would translate well to period costume.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra McCoy, like Whitney, looks damn good in our pool and beach scenes, and also deserves a shot at a major role.  Sandra happens to be a member of Mensa, and is closing in on her Psychology Ph.D. between acting gigs. It’s great to have brains on the set. Actors have to be good detectives. They sift through the text looking for clues, reasons why, inconsistencies to question etc. Sandra did her homework and always added nice touches or a new prop to the material Like the feather duster. Don’t ask. See the movie. Now, the guys, in order of height.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russ Hunt played Sookie’s date in an episode of TRUE BLOOD (Love that show!) He’s 6 foot 4 inches of toned physique, coupled with an agile mind. This enabled him to play Meat, a doofus both blessed and cursed with a giant cock, (girls run from it screaming) with more range than the original dialogue offered. You have to be smart to play dumb. His delivery of “Talk to the gland” - something I threw at him in mid take of the blowjob from hell sequence - gets a big laugh. He understood how to make a doofus endearing, to embrace and build on the stereotype.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Patrick Jordan got his start as a kid in an episode of the multi season series EARLY EDITION. He’s gone on to varied roles on television, and played in 19 episodes of PRISON BREAK. For me, he turned the part of the leader of the buddy trio into the kind of charming manipulative sociopath that got us all into trouble growing up. At times he seemed to be channeling Ray Liotta. Perfect role model for the part. John is Mr. Nice Guy, but I see a lot of villains in his future. Often the best parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam Wylie started as a child actor (KINDERGATEN COP) and has 107 credits on IMDB, including 67 episodes of Picket Fences. You’ve heard his voice on a lot of cartoons As I so tactfully told him at our first meeting, the whole movie kinda rested on him, to make the character of sex obsessed semi-virginal Pee Wee appealing in his fecklessness. Nothing like a little pressure to kick start an actor’s day. But Adam took it in stride. Calm and confident was his demeanor on the set every day. He is also an impressive magician, (he recently performed at the Magic Castle) and a surprising acrobat. When I discovered these abilities, I built them into the movie. His quick-witted improv reminded me of the young Robin Williams. We will see a lot more of Adam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, alongside the young players, I have to acknowledge the talent and creativity of veteran character actor Vic Polizos, playing Porky, seen here with the guys. His improv ability was always available. In the scene where a hooker vomits on his fancy shoes, I told him to riff on his outrage. So when we heard “They’re made from the foreskin of a rhinoceros. You can’t get that shit anymore!” the crew had a hard time stifling their laughter till the end of the take. That happened a lot, throughout the shoot with all the actors.  So many thanks, all of you, for that extra something you brought to the movie. You were a dream cast. Your futures are bright. May you survive with your souls intact in that long shallow money trench, overrun by pimps and thieves, where evil prospers and good men die like dogs. Hollywood.