Acting: Anyone Acted in Independent Films?

Print Page | Close Window

Anyone Acted in Independent Films?

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Acting
Forum Discription: Q&A about auditions, character development and other aspects of the craft
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1550
Printed Date: 11/22/24 at 3:20am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Anyone Acted in Independent Films?

Posted By: Dustmac
Subject: Anyone Acted in Independent Films?
Date Posted: 8/23/05 at 8:46pm

A couple of weeks ago, I got an opportunity to shoot a scene in an indy film tentatively called "Cold Steel." I have also acted in a film called "Esther" which was shot in 2003. That's one of the great things about becoming somewhat known in theater. It has afforded a few of us other opportunities to act. I was wondering if any of you have appeared in any films whether they are local indy films or national?

Replies:

Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 8/23/05 at 9:00pm

I was in the indie films, "Puddle Cruiser" (debut at Sundance);
"Dialogue in Darkness," and "Eroticon" (debut as the latest
feature at your local drive in LOL).

I had fun each time. I got paid $100 for Puddle Cruiser, which I
had framed. LOL

Posted By: red diva
Date Posted: 9/27/06 at 4:39pm

Just this past summer my husband and I were both cast in an indie film being shot in our area. The title (the working title, anyway) is "Randomocity" and will have its premier at Sundance. I was cast as the group leader/counselor for a rape crisis center, and my husband was a psychiatrist. We didn't get paid for the performances, but as the director and producer were friends and former actors in shows we had both directed, we chalked it up to friendship. However, since I regularly design and dress sets at our theatre, I was also asked to be production designer, which did pay - very well, in fact! It was a fascinating experience, and now I watch films in a whole new way, looking for camera angles, lighting, set dressing, wondering what really is outside the frame of the shot, etc.

The only drawback was that I was also working an 8-5 job at the same time. They were willing to work around my schedule, fortunately. Awww, who needs sleep, anyway.

Interesting topic....looking forward to reading more responses!

-------------
"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"

Posted By: castMe
Date Posted: 9/27/06 at 5:35pm

If yu look real hard about two feet left of your TV, you can see me in Empire Falls. I was originally is a scene with Paul Newman (two stool down from him in a bar scene), but after Mr. Newman saw what had been shot, he thought the bar crowd looked too young, so they re-shot with a different set of extra a few weeks later. A friend of mine was at both shootings and when she asked the casting director (another friend) why I wasn't there, she was told "Mr. Newman thought the crowd looked too young." My friend said "BUT HE'S ONE MONTH OLDER THAN ME !!"

Oh well. Did get clled again to stand in for James Fichtner, but did nothing but eat and chat with the other extras.

On a side note, being that close to Newman allowed me to watch him work, and work he did. He ran lines right up to the moment they started rolling and worked out bits of business with the bras hanging from the ceiling. Loved watching him work his craft.

Also, my friend who was the "right age" was cast as the "frowsy woman" in the bar and with each take, her role grew from an extra to a speaking part with her exchanging lines, winks and kisses with Newman and culmanated with him pulling a bra (a prop) out of the front of her shirt with his teeth. Needless to say, she was in seventh heaven and I have to listen to that story every time I see her. LOL
She went in expecting to make $13 or whatever and ended up with a check for over $900 because she had lines.

P.S. The bra bit got cut...................but not from Birdie's memory

Anyway the cast and crew was here for the better part of three months and it was exciting to go out to dinner and see Newman and JoAnn Woodward, or Dennis Franz, or Helen Hunt (a crew un-favorite), or Ed Harris, or Robin Wright-Penn or my favorite actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. A great cast and I haven't even mentioned Aiden Quinn, Kate Burton, Estelle Parsons or Theresa Russell. Another friend of mine, who I do lots of CT and work with, played Mrs. Rodrigue, the art teacher. She had scenes with the kids and Ed Harris.

-------------
Investigate. Imagine. Choose.

Posted By: dougb
Date Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:49am

Recently, I was an extra in a film titled The Dark Horse. It was a blast as long as you don't mind the w..a..i..t..i..n..g. A 1 pm call and finally in front of the camera at 7 pm with the light fading rapidly. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Great fun.

Doug

Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:59am

I've always told my students someday I'll teach an "Intro to Film Acting" course where the class does absolutely nothing for two hours while some guy moves lights around.

-------------
"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

Posted By: castMe
Date Posted: 9/28/06 at 5:58pm

Topper LOL closer to the truth than they would imagine. But the commissary food is great

-------------
Investigate. Imagine. Choose.