Sheridan Passell
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« on: May 02, 2011, 08:30:17 PM » |
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I guess I'll do little updates on this now and again because it's kinda interesting.
Currently there's a discussion between myself (concept, first draft), the sub-editor (second draft, director) and the producer of Eden Lake (producer). Sub-editor and I want Gary Oldman, or someone of that ilk, for the adult (who goes insane) in the story, producer wants Hugh Bonneville. Basically not having a name actor makes the shoot a million times easier (no expensive hotels, no mucking you about, no demands, no agents/management sticking their neck in), but it also removes the safety net - a film will have to be outstandingly good to get a theatrical release. As the sub-editor would be a first time feature director I am nervous about that prospect.
Where do people stand on this?
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dnwilliams
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« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2011, 08:50:08 PM » |
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Hugh Bonneville's cool. Gary Oldman's amazing, but he was also in Red Riding Hood and Tiptoes - having him in your movie alone isn't the badge of honour you might think it is. Also (I'd imagine) you can't compete with the roles Oldman is known for, whereas your character could be something that Bonneville is most associated with, which would be awesome.
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David Hawk
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« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2011, 04:29:13 AM » |
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As awesome as Oldman is its not just who you have in your film but who they are in a specific genre and also Oldman, who i would have in a heartbeat in any of mine, is not that commercial a prospect or marketable. I know a guy who had Ray Winstone in his feature and he couldn't get it picked up because it was too different a role for his usual fans to want to see him in.
Is your film already financed and budgeted or are Oldman and Bonneville just actors you're thinking of at this stage? Have you approached these guys yet to find out if they are even interested?
Personally i would go to distributors or horror films and ask them who, if they were casting this kind of film, they would put in it as they have a very close eye on what sells and where. You can have your main character/lead be someone who actually sells well in the Japanese market and your second/lead support role be someone who sells well in the UK/US which makes it easier to get a distributor. Just my tuppence.
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The next scream you hear could be your own
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Sheridan Passell
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« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2011, 07:00:21 AM » |
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Well after much debate we're going to make some approaches and test the water. It ultimately comes down to the personality of the actor and the attitude of their reps. The part is that of a posh teacher (the only significant adult role) who is driven half mad and dangerous by a hellish environment. It's not the leading role so would only be required for 2-3 weeks, but it is the stand-out role. It's not a horror movie per se, it's the sort of material that wouldn't mean these sorts of actors were totally unrealistic. This is my shortlist: Kenneth Branagh - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlFC9380o0Gary Oldman Ralph Fiennes - obvious, but why not, he'd have to do something different Benedict Cumberbatch - rising star with Sherlock, whether he'll have any US clout in a couple of years is a gamble Michael Sheen Clive Owen - career on the slide, doing indies, great actor Hugh Laurie - a comedian who's no longer funny, has it in him Colin Firth - would be perfect, why not go for gold Need suggestions! Hugh Bonneville's definitely not off the table. re: Hawk - It is budgeted, but it's not at the seeking finance stage just yet. My understanding is you can get a letter of commitment from an actor and take that out to financiers. Something like that, I don't pay much attention to how projects come together, but this producer knows what he's doing. |
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David Hawk
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« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2011, 09:22:35 AM » |
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Yeah a letter if intent is what you need from the actor which will make the investors go all gaga  Some top choices there, Owen could be great, especially if his next flick, the horror The Insiders is a hit. What about: Michael Cain - Might be a bit old for what you;re looking for but would certainly get the US and UK markets Anthony Hopkins Ben Kingsley Tim Roth - Worked it well in the US TV series, was it called Lie To Me? Are you using a casting agent? you don't have to obviously but i would recommend it, although your Producer sounds suitably experienced that he's most likely already got one or at least some decent contacts. Definitely keep us updated, exciting stuff! |
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dnwilliams
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« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2011, 09:42:56 AM » |
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David Tennant
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Sheridan Passell
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« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2011, 09:53:56 AM » |
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I had Michael Caine and Ian McKellen on an earlier list, but at 70+ they just seem a bit too old now to be playing a schoolteacher. Ben Kingsley I had too, but I think he's tarnished his name too much with so many awful, awful movies. David Tennant we had a discussion about, this will probably prove controversial, but I'm not quite convinced by him as an actor. I watched the Manchester United drama with him the other day and he seemed wooden / forced. I think he only works in campy roles (Dr.Who, Fright Night). Tim Roth hasn't been mentioned so far.
A casting agent would be used for the other roles, but not for the star role as far as I can see.
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David Hawk
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« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2011, 10:11:05 AM » |
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Yeah thought Cain might be too old but still carries some weight with his name. Good point about Kingsley too, i liked him in The Bank Job though.
I also totally agree on Tennant, haven't seen anything that showcases his acting chops.
Ray Winstone
Do they have to be British actors?
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Sheridan Passell
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« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2011, 11:40:04 AM » |
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They don't have to be British, but it makes life a lot easier if they are. And they have to be able to play British convincingly.
Yeah Caine would be perfect if he was 15 years younger. He can open a movie in the UK on his name alone.
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David Hawk
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« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2011, 12:35:56 PM » |
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Cool and good point, no need to pay for air fair then.
Anthony Head
Peter Mullan
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dalmatianjaws
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« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2011, 01:05:22 PM » |
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Oh, this is fun. I think that, much like submitting short stories, you just HAVE to start with the big ones and work down on the off chance one of them bites. Tim Roth is a BRILLIANT actor, and recognizable, but not a NAME. His work in Incredible Hulk went completely unsung (which reminds me, don't go with Ed Norton unless you want him to rewrite the script). FYI, I had to IMDB Hugh Bonneville and I'm still not sure who he is. I'm sure he's talented, but he will have NO USA marketability if that's important. Also, David Tennant does well with the insanity side of it and the emotional pathos he handled in seasons 2-4 of Dr. Who are stunning. Plus Fright Night could go boom.
Lee Pace - AWESOME actor who usually does crap (Yogi Bear) occasionally does brilliance (The Fall) and could go boom with The Hobbit. Might be too young?
John Hamm - if you've seen his comedy work you'll understand, when compared to Mad Men, what an AMAZING range he has.
Guy Pearce - does almost anything these days but still rocks. Problem is he already looks a little crazy.
David Thewlis
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twaddington
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« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2011, 01:10:30 PM » |
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Tim Curry- Hasn't been in much recently but the guy is awesome.
Andrew Lincoln- Well known in America now because of 'The Walking Dead'.
Brian Cox- I hear he likes to support up-and-coming filmmakers.
Stephen Graham- We know he does crazy well. In fact that's all he does! He's a good actor though.
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Sheridan Passell
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« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2011, 02:30:24 PM » |
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I think sticking to British actors is the way to go.
Hollywood stop making enitre movies about spooky numbers.
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dalmatianjaws
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« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2011, 03:03:35 PM » |
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Unfortunately the only British actors I know about are in Harry Potter. Emma Watson looks pretty manish in her new haircut, you could have some great PR by casting her.
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dnwilliams
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« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2011, 04:46:07 PM » |
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Andy Serkis
Brad Dourif
John Noble
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Sheridan Passell
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« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2011, 05:15:10 PM » |
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John Noble could be a good call if name actors pass.
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dalmatianjaws
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« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2011, 05:16:13 PM » |
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Because I know everything about this script I've never read, it seems to me you'd want someone who can really convey the transition from normal to crazy. Gary Oldman has proven he can play both thanks to the Batman movies. Folks like Guy Pearce, Tim Curry, and Brian Cox might have a "Jack Nicholson in The Shining" kind of vibe where he seems crazy from the very start.
John Noble is borderline cause he is so well known for playing crazy, but I'd LOVE to see him do normal, I"m sure he can pull it off and he doesn't naturally look crazy.
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Sheridan Passell
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« Reply #18 on: May 03, 2011, 05:21:55 PM » |
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Yeah, whoever does it needs to be have a mental breakdown, but show us something we haven't seen before/do it in a way they haven't done it before.
Debating whether to put Cillian Murphy on my list. Amazing actor, doesn't quite give off vibe of posh private school teacher though.
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twaddington
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« Reply #19 on: May 03, 2011, 06:24:16 PM » |
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If you decide that you don't want a name actor, Jason Watkins from 'Being Human' would be a good choice I think. Don't watch this if you plan on watching the show. Spoilers. |
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January 24, 2008, 08:44:29 PM
