Tuesday, July 18, 2006

I've recently been taking acting and voice classes, and have been greatly enjoying myself. Though I realize from reading your books and from what others have told me that breaking into film is next to impossible without having been born into it, being a part of a film has been a goal of mine for many years. To decide if the filmmaking process is something I really want to risk years of my life to persue I want to see if I can be cast in a major motion picture, even if only as an extra.

I recently saw that Marvel Comic's Iron Man is in pre-production. I was wondering what you think would be the best way to find possible casting calls or audition oppertunities (of any kind) for a film this large. Iron Man is a character I have always been interested in, and while I have virtually no chance at nabbing a large role I would like to be involved in this film if at all possible.

If you really want to be part of the movie, learn computer graphics. That's where the magic is happening on a film like Iron Man. It is also a highly paid field where you will not want for work any time in the next 20 years. Check out any copy of Cinefex for more info.

If you were to get a job as an extra, you would walk across a street over which there is no Iron Man flying -- he'll be added in post production. Being an extra is boooooorrrrrring. And even there, you're competing against professional extras. (Can you imagine?)

Being an extra, moreover, has nothing to do with acting. As an extra, you are not supposed to stand out in the crowd. Extras are called "atmosphere" on the call sheet. What does that tell you? They are wrangled not by the director, but by second assistant AD's.

As for getting a speaking role on the movie, forget it. Unless you have a serious talent agent already, and you're on the lists, it's not going to happen.

If you need to be cast in a major motion picture in order to decide if the filmmaking process is something you really want to risk years of your life to pursue ... then you don't want it badly enough. The people who make it are the people who want it so badly they don't care what the odds are, they just have to do it. (And most of those don't make it, either.)

Labels: breaking in

10:31 PM

1 Comments:

Alex is right. No matter what job you get, 99.9% of the movie-making process will be happening somewhere else.

The way to find satisfaction in the business is to pursue the particular craft that obsesses you. If none does, then you'll be beaten to every job by someone more focused.

By  Stephen Gallagher, at 5:19 AM  

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