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The Director’s Chair Issue #164 – June 9, 2015 (Why Auditions are the ‘Bottleneck’ of the Industry)

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THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
Free Monthly Ezine for Independent Filmmakers

June 9, 2015                Scene 16 – Take 5
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Published once a month.

Publisher: Peter D. Marshall
Email: mailto:pdm@actioncutprint.com
Website: https://actioncutprint.com
Blog: http://filmdirectingtips.com

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Ezine Contents
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1. Introduction
2. Bonuses for Subscribing to The Director’s Chair
3. Creating Phone Apps for Directors
4. FEATURE ARTICLE: Why Auditions are the ‘Bottleneck’ of the Industry
5. Film Directing Coach Services
6. Subscriber Shameless Self-Promotion
7. Filmmaking Links of Interest
8. Product Promotion and Film Workshops
9. Subscribe and Unsubscribe Information
10. Copyright Information

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1. Introduction
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Welcome to Issue #164 of The Director’s Chair, June 9, 2015

1. The Feature Article this month is called: Why Auditions are
the ‘Bottleneck’ of the Film Industry. “The Audition (or Casting
Session) can be an intimidating experience for both actors and
directors alike because it’s the place where both sides of the
table have only a few minutes to make bold creative choices.
Choices that could affect ALL of our careers! (Read the rest of
this article below.)

2. Please send any comments, suggestions, questions or advice to:
mailto:pdm@actioncutprint.com

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2. Two Bonuses For Subscribing To The Director’s Chair
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Thank you very much for subscribing to this ezine.

BONUS #1 – Here is the link to download Day One (41 pages) of
“The Art and Craft of the Director Audio Seminar.”
https://actioncutprint.com/xxx

BONUS #2 – Here is the link to download the first 30 pages of the
“Script Breakdown and Film Scheduling Online Course.”
https://actioncutprint.com/xxx

IMPORTANT: Once the pdf file has opened on your browser, go to
File, “Save Page As” and save the file to your desktop. All links
will now work in the pdf file.

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3. Creating Phone Apps for Directors
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I need your help!

I’m thinking of creating some simple phone apps for directors and
would like your opinion on what the content could be.

I’m staying away from the more elaborate technical apps like Shot
Lister, Artemis Directors Viewfinder etc. since those have
already been made and are very useful for directors.

I am thinking more along the lines of “soft” topics such
“Directing Actors Tips” and “Script Analysis Tips” where you can
access website links, articles, online videos, discussion forums,
cheat sheets etc.

If you have any ideas for topics and content, please email me at:
pdm@actioncutprint.com

Thank you.

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4. Feature Article: Why Auditions are the ‘Bottleneck’ of the Film Industry
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Why Auditions are the “Bottleneck” of the Film Industry

Bottleneck: “a hindrance to progress or production – a stage at
which progress is impeded.”

The Audition (or Casting Session) can be an intimidating
experience for both actors and directors alike because it’s the
place where both sides of the table have only a few minutes to
make bold creative choices. Choices that could affect ALL of our
careers!

For actors it takes a lot of guts to walk into a small,
windowless room and have 5 – 10 minutes to “show their stuff” in
front of complete strangers. But it’s just as tough for Directors
as well! How can we correctly decide, in less than 10 minutes,
who is right for a particular role?

Once you start casting you realize that a big part of the success
(or failure) of your film rests on the final decision of which
actor is chosen for a specific character in your story.

For directors not only is it extremely difficult to quickly judge
what personal qualities and professional skills an actor must
have to be right for a part but to make this process even more
challenging, the final decision to cast an actor is almost never
left up to you alone.

Producers, network executives, studio executives, casting
directors and even the dentist bankrolling your indie film, they
all want a say on who is right for a particular part.

During your producer concept meetings early in prep, you may have
all agreed on the specific type and look of a character you were
looking for. But when an actor enters the room and gives you an
authentic and moving performance that deviates from your original
concept, that’s when the casting “bottleneck” could begin.

“…Directors often fall into a “dream lover” approach to casting.
This means having an idea/ideal of the character in your head and
searching for the actor who matches it. This gets you into a lot
of trouble.” Judith Weston – “Directing Actors.”

Casting Based on Subconscious Emotional Perceptions

To me, a good audition means we believe the actor as the
character. But what does the word “believe” actually mean?

After an audition the director might choose one actor for a role
but the Producer will pick someone else. Or vice versa. So who is
right? Well, from each of their perspectives, they both are!

In an audition, everyone looks for different traits or qualities
in an actor based on their own creative tastes, professional
experience and personal emotional triggers!

Some of these triggers are conscious and some are unconscious
because choosing actors (like other creative choices) is an
emotional and subjective response.

Our physiological needs tend to influence our perceptions of
others and the way we make sense of the world around us has a
direct influence on how we perceive and interact with others.

This means other people’s reactions matter greatly to us and
these reactions have a huge influence on how we act towards
others in our life.

So if you are in a casting session, part of your decision on who
you like for a role will be partially based on your subconscious
personal and emotional perceptions.

How to Look for Actors “Below the Tip of the Iceberg”

If you are an experienced indie director with a few good films
under your belt, you will probably be able to attract well-known
and experienced actors to your casting sessions and hire many of
them for your projects.

But what if you are an “unknown” low budget indie director or you
just direct short films, how are you going to find the best
actors in your area for your project when you are not able to
attract (or pay) for the most experienced actors.

Well don’t fear! If you can’t attract (or afford) the most
experienced actors to your casting sessions, there are dozens of
undiscovered talented actors who would be right for a part in
your film – if you know how to look for them!

Unfortunately many of these actors are rarely given the chance to
have a good audition – which stops them from getting future
auditions – which stops them from getting experience – which
potentially stops you from casting them.

And it is primarily this situation that has created the ongoing
“casting bottleneck” for short film directors and new indie
feature directors.

But this dilemma can be solved once you understand how to
effectively audition the majority of actors who are “below the
tip of the iceberg.”

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5. Film Directing Coach – Peter D. Marshall
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Actors, Singers and Athletes Have Private Coaches. So Why Not
Film and TV Directors? https://actioncutprint.com/filmdirectingcoach/

Hilary Swank used an acting coach to prepare for her role in Boys
Don’t Cry. She won her first Academy Award.

Singer Renee Fleming has always used a vocal coach. She has won
several Grammy Awards.

Rafael Nadal’s coach urged him on from the sidelines during his
Wimbledon tennis tournament win in 2010.

Arnold Palmer improved his game with the help of a coach. Even
Tiger Woods has had several coaches.

As a matter of fact, winners in nearly every profession
(athletes, actors, singers, business executives) know that
without the right coach, they won’t perform at their peak.

They know that without the support of an experienced and
qualified coach, they would constantly struggle to achieve
success.

So if these top professionals in their respective fields use
coaches, why not film directors?

So why hire me as your film directing coach?

Along with my international teaching experiences and my 39 years
of professional filmmaking experience (as a TV Director and
Feature 1st AD), I feel I have the necessary qualifications to
help you achieve your dreams of being a creative and successful
independent film director.

With that in mind, I would like to introduce you to my Film
Directing Coaching services via Skype:
https://actioncutprint.com/filmdirectingcoach/

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6. Subscriber Shameless Self-Promotion (Free Advertising)
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The Director’s Chair gives you an incredible opportunity to get
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So if you want over 6000 filmmakers around the world to know
about you and your films, please send me your “shameless
self-promotion” to: mailto:pdm@actioncutprint.com.

Please limit your promotion to 300 words. I reserve the right to
edit the promotion for length, spelling and formatting.

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7. Filmmaking Links of Interest
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1. Learn Important Action Filmmaking Tips From Jackie Chan
bit.ly/1EZR26y

2. Why SCREENWRITERS may be responsible for the global EXTINCTION
of SCREENWRITING as an art form bit.ly/1d98z6c

3. Pixar’s co-founder says iPhones and GoPros will change
filmmaking bit.ly/1HLbX1D

4. What Jean-Luc Godard’s ‘Breathless’ Can Teach You About Indie
Filmmaking bit.ly/1Q2X0u3

5. Filmmaker Survey: What We Wish We Knew Before Making Our First
Movie bit.ly/1e70uQl

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8. Product Promotion And Film Workshops
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From time to time, I will contact you to inform you of film
workshops, filmmaking products or Online courses that I feel are
beneficial to filmmakers like yourself. Of course, you are under
no obligation to purchase anything – I only offer this
information as a service to subscribers of this free ezine.

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10. Copyright Information
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Copyright (c) 2000-2015
ActionCutPrint.com Peter D. Marshall
All Rights Reserved

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