Actors. Seen to many around the world as professionals associated with glamour, fame, "celebritism" (the new word I invented that works:)). To an independent filmmaker, they are the individuals actually carrying the story. In a simplest form, these are the people hired on the project to embody the character created on the page and deliver the performances that suspend reality for the viewers.
Even if it is for just 2 hours.
Since the introduction of Reality TV and the revelation of "real" human emotions on screen, the new buzz word for acting is "Not Acting".
I first saw this performance by Hugh Laurie on You Tube when he auditioned for House. When the audition began, I thought that he was casually talking to a casting agent about something. That's how good the guy is. "The Audition" had began and the "Not Acting" was in progress :)
Even if it is for just 2 hours.
Since the introduction of Reality TV and the revelation of "real" human emotions on screen, the new buzz word for acting is "Not Acting".
I first saw this performance by Hugh Laurie on You Tube when he auditioned for House. When the audition began, I thought that he was casually talking to a casting agent about something. That's how good the guy is. "The Audition" had began and the "Not Acting" was in progress :)
Hugh Laurie's House Audition
On the independent film level, having Hugh Laurie in your film, is as far fetched as having the first black American president (oooops).
But seriously, its pretty tough, but not impossible.
What we do have though, is a large pool of very good actors, who have acquired the necessary skills and experience to deliver great performances without having a star name.
In our project, we were very fortunate to tap into this "undiscovered talent pool" with great success. With an exception of very very few actors, the cast of Going Bongo which had more than 40 actors was pretty stunning.
Emanuela Galliussi who plays Dr.Laura Carmenucci, a volunteer doctor from Italy, flew herself from New York to Los Angeles to audition for the role. Not many or any actors do that anymore, unless its a chance to work on the next Quentin Tarantino film.
Such drive and dedication was apparent when she delivered a stunning performance, that pretty much blew hundreds of other actors in US and Italy who competed for the role, away like the Canadian Flag Leaf (Not a good comparison, the Leaf is still on the flag for hundreds of years).
But you get the point.
Emanuela auditioning for Dr.Laura Carmenucci in Going Bongo
Going Bongo Movie Trailer from Going Bongo on Vimeo.
