Monday, I scolded myself for offending an actor because of the scene I wrote for them. I apologized, I decided to rewrite the scene or take it out altogether. I even offered them to ad lib all they wanted. I cried about how much I offended them, because I have so much respect for them and it was not my intention to offend anyone.
After lamenting on it all afternoon, just at this moment, I realized that what they said about my scene was offensive to me. They said it was offensive and lacked taste - now was that about my entire script or was it about the scene. Then they said they are very careful about what projects they do. But the ironic thing about that statement is they stated that they will do and follow whatever I wanted them to do. They wanted to cuss a lot, play a bitter person or whatever. Then they read the script and all of a sudden it was beneath them.
As actors, should we take a script personal and make it about ourselves or is it really about the quality of the work? What actor always wants to play themselves? Isn't it about the challenge to play a character that is totally the opposite from themselves? I'm learning that the characters that are totally different from who we are is what the craft is about. Not to be offended by what a writers vision is or to belittle it.
I guess I could've been offended by the words of the actor, instead I made myself feel guilty about offending the actor. I wonder if I had been Lee Daniels, Steven Spielberg, Jerry Bruckheimer, Rob Reiner, Spike Lee or Scorcesee would the actor have turned me down?
Putting this production together is teaching me a lot. Now I know, that when I offer someone a role, to make sure they read the script first before they say yes. So now what do I do about the actor? Will they decide to sever our "contact" with each other? Will they ever want to work with me again? or will they ever recommend me for anything etc. But I guess the real question should be, will I ever want to work with them again, that is the real question.
Now being a writer, executive producer and film maker, I now can choose who I want to work with again. I guess I will also learn who my friends really are. All I can say is this. I know that I was meant to write my script, to produce it and let God do the rest. All things have been falling into place and whether people say no to me or yes is not going to stop me from the goal. If I have to recast my film there are plenty of people who would love to be in a Kubbic Inch Production.
Nothing is by chance or by accident. God has ordained everything that has gone down and will go down. So Kub - Keep it moving, Keep believing and walk in your blessing. There will come a time when actors will be requesting to be in your productions. Then when I look back on all of this I will say to myself- was I bugging out to let this person rattle my spirit. Nothing is perfect, but "All Things are Possible for those who believe." That is what will keep me going. So I forgive myself for allowing that person to jack me up. Forgive myself for begging their forgiveness and Forgive myself for lamenting on it for so many hours.
About Me
- Kubbic Inch Productions, LLC
- New York, New York, United States
- Kubbic Inch Productions, LLC - creates theatrical productions for film and stage. It is owned and operated by Kubbi an actress who has decided to make her own opportunities in the film industry. She produces and stars in her own productions as well as casting her friends in her films. Kubbic Inch Productions is about creating quality films with quality performances.
Based on my own readings and research, even though writer/producers may give some latitude to an actor to ad lib or modify some of their lines, it is really the actor's job to portray the character as the writer and director gives it to them ... while bringing their own creativity as an actor with them.
ReplyDeleteIt is unprofessional for an actor to try to modify the writer's vision based on their own preconceptions.
A great writer may see other possibilities as the actor unfolds that character, but the actor should never place themselves above the writer. When I've agreed to take on a role, even if I find out the production or writer is weak, I look for the vision that writer had, and try to make that character as real as possible. We both usually discover someone amazing. :-)
I believe you will succeed in what you are doing because you fiercely believe in what you are doing. I know you will not lose that!