Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by jamesgarvin (A) on October 19, 2007 at 10:30:48

In Reply to: RE: I don't know if you fully understand the cinematic process. posted by tinear on October 17, 2007 at 11:34:40

"These actors also have bargaining power with the directors, i.e. let's try it this way."

Not true. Many directors require that scenes be acted according to their vision, and provide the actor little editorial powers. For example, in the film I recently commented on here, Duck, You Sucker, Sergio Leone and Rod Steiger clashed because Leone required numerous takes of his actors to get the scene exactly how he wanted it. Steiger, on the other hand, believed in performing a scene one time, figuring that a second take would not improve the scene. Guess who won?

Further, you assume that Swinton, who has read the script, was not able to add a dimension to a role that was perhaps written as one dimensional, or that was not able to provide a dimension that was in the script. I doubt you have read the script, and, assuming you have not, you are hardly qualified to comment whether she either failed to provide a "dimension" that was in the script, or failed to add one where there was no such dimension.

It is just as likely that this was Swinton's educated interpretation of the role. And without having access to the script, and not being able to acutally talk with the screenwriter to learn his or her desire for the character, it is more than a little arrogant for you to suggest that Swinton, who certainly has more knowledge of the specific script and character, and most certainly more knowledge of the craft of acting than you, failed to deliver the goods, with respect to the character.

"In Hollywood efforts, one chooses actors for their ability to act in a certain style."

Well, no. If you are refrring to mainstream, blockbuster Hollywood films, then the actors are choosen based upon their income producing potential. They call those actors "bankable." If you are referring to smaller, more independent films, then there are many reasons why an actor may be chosen. They are available. They are friends with the director/producer. They get along well with others.

"Swinton, an unknown commodity to 99.9% of the American film-going audience, obviously was chosen for her ability. That ability, unfortunately, wasn't on display."

Says who? Most actors today still go through the cattle call of reading for parts. Casting director and directors likely contacted Swinton's agent, and tell the agent that they would like Swinton to read for a role. They send her script, which she reviews, and decides if she would like to be associated with film. If she agrees, they call her in, she reads for the part, and they decide if she is ready for the part. Perhaps they have called in other actresses to read for the role? Not unusual. On the other hand, Tom Cruise, who developes many of his own projects, does not go through a reading because producers know that his name on a marquee translates into big receipts, and they will write the role for him.

If Swinton has been in the final cut of the film, it means that she has satisfied the director and casting director that she knows the role, and is acceptable. Then she has pleased the director in her ability to perform the role on the set, and then the studios and producers prior to the film being released, as I assume that they reviewed the film prior to release, and, assuming there is a test audience, they found her performance acceptable enough for the studio to release the film with her in the film.

"It is also true that scripts are not written in stone but rather shaving cream."

Sometimes Yes. Sometimes no. Well written scripts from a reputable screenwriter are generally written in stone. Most good screenwriters take pride in their craft, and do not take kindly to their scpripts being re-written for an actor or an actress. Movies of any quality aspirations begin with a good screenplay. Piss off the screenwriter, maybe he does not write a script for you again.

In this case, the writer and director were one in the same, making it more likely that when he was casting the film he was looking for specific actors and actresses that fulfilled the vision in his head when he wrote the script. I presume that he took pride in his screenplay, that the screenplay was a labor of love, after all, while he has written numerous screenplays, this is the first time he has directed a film, which leads an intelligent person to the conclusion that this screenplay was more special to him than his others, as he apparently did not let another director interpret his work, making it more likely that he would be willing to change actress to suit the role rather than change the role to suit the actress. It may happen when the lead is Tom Cruise. I can certainly see the studio telling the writer to change the script to accomodate Cruise - else they get another writer. But on this project, that is unlikely.

But hey, if all you have are your "guesses" unsupported by any analysis and critical thought, who am I to argue.