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Guest Editorials
Guest Editorial: A Great Way To Do Business - Casting a Meeting at a Major Studio Oct 31, 2007 - 2:57:47 PM
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GUEST EDITORIAL
By David Gochenour, PWTorch Subcriber
Casting director: Who do you want for this movie? What type are you looking for?
Producer: Well, we would like a bunch of older stars. You know, the ones who haven't had a hit in awhile. People recognize them easier, and therefore, we can spike the box office in the first week.
Casting director: Uh, I'm not sure I understand. Don't you want this movie to be fresher and hipper than the old staid, established competition out there? Don't you want an alternative to that?
Producer: Well, just between you and me, the major backer of this movie has an advisor. The advisor likes to bring in a lot of the old actors he worked with. The person with all the financial backing, who really doesn't know what it takes to make a good movie, just listens and spends on whoever the advisor says is good.
Casting Director: Why does this advisor have so much clout?
Producer: He founded the studio along with a relative. He still owns part of the company. Part of the reason is because a huge star told the advisor that he would never be big in the business. I think maybe he finally got the hint that the person who told him that is right. He's stayed in the background lately. But you never know if he will pop up again. He seems to really be high on people who are already stars, even if the old pros are faded a bit.
Casting Director: Hmm... I guess you could say that an old professional will know what it takes... but aren't they going to be set in their ways? Besides, I doubt any of these older stars are going to be bigger stars than they once were.
Producer: Well, it confuses me from time to time, too. There's been some young talent that we've gone with before, but they've been pushed down into the background. I'm stumped, because it would be a lot easier and cheaper to push the younger ones who want the opportunity, who would be more eager to prove themselves.
Casting Director: Well... okay... so, I'll grab who I can when they become available.
Producer: Too bad that's not the only problem with this studio.
Casting Director: What do you mean?
Producer: Oh, it's just that there are three directors.
Casting Director: You're kidding me!
Producer: I wish I was. And - get this - two are stuck in the '80s and one is stuck in the '90s! They've got their own styles, and none of them has directed a hit since their glory days.
Casting Director: Why do they do it that way?
Producer: It's what the money person wants. She's just naive enough about the business to believe what they tell her.
Casting Director: So when is it going to change?
Producer: It may be years. Unless there's a drastic change in the philosophy of what they do, this studio will always just barely roll along, until the box office hits the wall. The money people will finally give up. When the money goes, that's going to be the end.
Casting Director: That sounds quite sad.
Producer: Oh, it is in some way. They do have their fans who really hold out hope. And there are probably thousands more that want them to become real competition to the other studios, so the actual product improves all around. But it isn't going to happen this way.
Casting Director: Maybe I should have learned more about this company before I took the job.
Producer: I'm sure when they interviewed you they kept stressing that you wouldn't have to work as much, and that the stage was designed differently. To make it seem like they were cutting edge.
Casting Director: How did you know that?
Producer: Why do you think I signed on?
(Laughter.....then silence)
(End of meeting)
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