Official Cast and Crew

Cast

 
Name: Phillip Stapleton
Character: Tom
Profile: http://www.starnow.co.uk/profile/ProfileDetail.aspx?m_id=1201235&application_id=12190841










Name: George Conlon
Character: Luke

Name: Heather Ashton-Rowell
Character: Mother

Name: Peter Quinn
Character: Stepdad
Profile: http://www.starnow.co.uk/profile/ProfileDetail.aspx?m_id=533608&application_id=12091443






Crew

Name:     Alex Brand (me)
Role(s):   Director
              Script Writer
              Producer
              Editor

Name:      Lewis Johnson
Role(s):    Co-Director
               LightingTechnician
               Sound Engineer
               Editor
Blog Link: http://lewisjsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/fmp-endure-setting-up-lighting.html

Name:      Christi Leigh-Cooper
Role(s):    Producer
               Make Up Artist
Blog Link: http://christicooperfmp.blogspot.co.uk/

Name: Jordan Gott
Role(s): Camera Operator
Editor
Blog Link: http://fmpjordangott.blogspot.co.uk/

New Crew Development

Since the beginning of the announcement for FMP; Jordan, Lewis and I have been working together as a production team to work on our own projects. We would each be sharing different roles in each of the projects, however due to unfortunate circumstances with time and casting we have been advised by Jamie to work on one solid project and considering the majority of the production aspects have been covered, we decided to work on the piece I wrote for, Endure.  This didn’t cause much problem for us as a team as we have helping each other since the beginning but I felt that they deserved more roles.

So thinking this I re-organised the cast roles more fairly, Lewis has been helping me since the beginning and seems to have a firm understanding with the narrative and final outcome so we decided that he would be co-director as well as sticking with the other roles we assigned. I had originally planned to share the role of camera operator as there were segments that I and Lewis wanted to record which we did but we gave majority control to Jordan. 

Also we had all promised to work on Christi-Leigh Cooper project as her crew but due to weather and last minute cast let downs, we was stuck in a situation where she couldn’t begin production. So after pitching to Jamie Holman, I had arranged a number of tasks for her which she could work on behalf of Endure. Christi and Jordan Jenison (another student working on Christi project) would together produce a “behind the scenes”, “bloopers”, “trailer” and a number of interviews to be made as a preview for the final product of Endure. I also gave Christi the title of Producer along with me as she has had on a number of occasions helped me with actors, props and schedule work. 

By everyone coming onto one project, it allows us all to work together and focus more on any issues that may be missed when working on multiple projects. It also prevents any rushing and last minute shoots, by this I mean if I needed an extra day shooting we wouldn’t have to wait much later in the week after the other projects when everyone wants to focus on editing.

Cast Update

Over the weekend I had devised a schedule which all the actors could have some rehearsal time and shooting days. However I had to recast for the character of Luke as Curtis’s schedule is too hectic which is a shame as he is really good, luckily he and his mother said they hoped their schedule calms down we could work together in the near future.

Even though it wasn’t their fault, this does now leave me with a massive issue to find another actor. As it was such short notice I couldn’t expect any response from actors on Starnow, so I had a brief production meeting with my tutor Jamie Holman. Luckily Jamie had someone in mind to work with us, another tutor’s son called George Conlon. I passed on a copy of my script to George and he was more than happy to be a part of this even if it is last minute. So once again I have had to rearrange the schedule to fit everyone needs.

Gathering My Cast

As I previously stated I would use the “starnow” website to recruit my actors for the piece, I was nervous about getting myself out there but it was a process which I must commence with. Instead of searching on people profiles individually I decide to sign up and make an advertisement for an audition, I wanted to present myself as professionally as possible, below is the link to the advert I made for “Starnow”.

http://www.starnow.co.uk/Casting-Calls/Actors-wanted/Short-film/short_drama_film_crew_needed.htm

I waited a couple of weeks for a response if I was to get any at all, luckily I did. One of the responses came from a Peter Quinn who I had worked with on a previous project so I knew what to expect when it came to performance and professionalism. However I was slightly uncertain to offer him the role as the Stepdad seeing as it is a short role and I wouldn’t want him to believe I am wasting his time. But after some time to think I knew I had more to offer him if he would accept both roles, I will go over what I offered him when it comes closer to the time. 

I got two responses for young actors to play the character “Luke”, I was delighted to see the responses from them, and the boys were called Ryan & Curtis. I wasn’t too keen on the idea of using Ryan as he didn’t quite fit the criteria and the fact that he had recently been working with other members of the media group I thought it would come off as lazy to use him. Now Curtis did really appeal to me, he fit the criteria and from some of the work I had watched him in was really good. Also whilst I had a meeting with Peter Quinn he mentioned previously working with him and how he enjoyed his performance, so I decided to arrange a meeting with Curtis.

Now when I it came to recruiting for the character Tom, I was very nervous about whoever acted as him as he is the main character and is a dear one to me. This character has some quirks and similarities to friends and family of mine which makes Tom my own creation. However I may have expected too much from people when it came to playing this character as only one person responded; Phillip Stapleton.  From looking at his profile picture I wasn’t too sure about using him, but once I looked over his profile more I was encouraged to meeting with him.  

I was very nervous to meet Phillip and Curtis as they are both people I don’t know and are pitching to them my idea. I arranged to meet both of them at Costa as it was close by and it would allow all of us to feel more comfortable in a relaxing environment. I had my meeting with Phillip first which I think I rushed as I was clearly nervous but kept in a professional manner, he was very happy to be a part of the project as he said the story appealed to him. My following meeting with Curtis did go a lot smoother as I knew what I had to improve on, I did spend most of the time talking to the mother as she would be the one to arrange his current schedule. I originally planned to record at a weekend so that the child actor would more likely be available but Curtis’s weekend for the next couple weeks were pretty hectic but would be available during the week; best days are a Monday and Tuesday.

Unfortunately I didn’t get any response for an actress to play the female protagonist, this did cause some concern for me as it is quite an important character to further develop Tom & Luke. Whilst considering what to do, I thought about using my mum to play the mother but I would rather someone outside the family getting involved in acting. However I thought of a woman called Heather Ashton Rowell, who I had worked with before and know personally through her son. I asked her for a quick meeting about being involved; once we met she was more than happy to do it as long I returned the favour on a project she will be in charge of later.

Now I have got my cast I will begin rearranging the schedule again to fit everyone’s needs and will arrange to have some rehearsal time....I feel good about this now meeting all the actors/actress.