I just wanted to share something with you that happened on one of my recent films I did.
There we were the Actors doing our stuff and the director (now we had been filming by about 6 hours at this point) started to scream at one of the actors on set saying your a F****** waste of my time get the f******* scene right, the director had been nitpicking all day could do with the pressure they were under or that there was delays the last two days of filming.
Me being me started to stand up for the other actor and started shouting back saying give the guy a break we all working hard etc.
so for the next 10 mins a war of words insued.
After that was done the rest of the shoot was in total silence.
after we had finished the actor came up to me and thanked me.
Now I understand things were behind and we all get frustrated now and again, but I thought the other actor getting spoke to like that was beyond the pale.
I'm sure some of you might work with me in the future I'm not a fire brand dont' worry :) I'm a nice guy
I just felt that that was out of order.
I just wanted to know if anybody had any other tales of 'Blade Runner' on set tensions throughout their careers so far?
Definitely out of order. That poor actor. It's bad enough knowing that you're holding everyone up, without being yelled at. Same thing happened to me - just couldn't get it right (only one sentence - albeit in another language). I'm sure there were a lot of #}€'s flying about AFTER I left.
As far as I'm concerned that kind of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable. It's not surprising to hear directors swear every so often (as I'm sure we all do sometimes) but to round on an actor like that is nothing short of bullying and a humiliating experience. There is a way to get the job done and for me that's not it and would normally warrant an apology.
Luckily this has not happened to me nor have I been on set and seen it happen but for a director to speak to an actor let that is just wrong in my book (and even the other way round) you would stand for it in a day job so why should it happen in this job. Being a film maker I under stand that at times we run over it happens but I see it as better to work together and pull the same way, but that maybe cause I'm and actor also so I under stand.
The producer emailed me to say sorry, I said it's not you who needs to say sorry mate, it's the director, and not to me to the actor, so we'll see what happens, the worst of it is there is still some shots to go, so it ain't all finished so should be an interesting couple of days at the next Block of filming people :)whenever that may be.
Agreed! I get things run over, I've been doing this long enough to realise that, I get that in the heat of the moment people do clash a little however I felt if the director had a problem he could have pulled the actor aside said what he needed to say in private, shake hands and crack on.
Agreed, he should of been the bigger man and spoken to the actor away from the rest of you and do it in an adult way, we actors are simple creatures and shouting just dose not work
I completely agree with you there. It's a polite gesture by the Producer but that defies the point. For me to apologise is for me to admit I've done wrong and feel genuine remorse for my actions.
As the director this guy is supposed to set an example for his crew and cast and when you start swearing at an actor in an act of rage you disgrace those who you work for and work for you. If you want someone to do better then you do it with them. What he did as far as I'm concerned, That's bullying.
However I fear this will happen again in the future to some poor soul who is just try to do his best, bullying in the workplace needs to be stamped out.
I was on set for a movie that took 10 hours to get a few lines of dialogue right. Happy to say it wasnt me to fluff. Just kept reshooting til it was. That was a high profile set with a well known director, everyone kept their calm. It was funny though and had to laugh.
No one should be spoken too in that manner though. If anything, I would say it looks bad on the director rather than the actor. Things sometimes go wrong on set, its a fact.
Yeah it's unnacceptable behaviour and not just for a director but for anyone. The truth is it's very difficult to penalise anyone because no-one is expandable and every member of cast and crew are necerserry to make a production work. As I'm aware if someone is at fault they can be blacklisted by their union (Though I wouldn't quote myself on that).
To tell the truth I don't really like to cause complications. I'd rather look for acknowledgement and an apology so we can get the job done. Generally no reason it has to go beyond that.
As an Actor (E15), Producer & Director (NFTS trained and Bafta/ RTS recognised) I am extremely dismayed that this Director was on set with you.
This unprofessional attitude stinks and I hope the Producer was made fully aware of how this will also affect him.
Also Shouting abuse at people will only get the job done slower and in a Crap atmosphere.
Directors of all people must have great diplomacy and advocacy skills to get the job done in a good working atmosphere and environment - regardless of pressures!
We are not doing brain surgery and no one dies!!
I hate to say it but I hope this idiot doesn't work again - he doesn't deserve too!
Best to all who show respect and Calm & HUMOUR!!
Guy ;-)
PS On set I like nothing better than to create an environment where both cast and crew can have a laugh - normally I met expense - I'm not adverse to ripping the piss out of myself either! ;-)
I've just had an email from the producer, saying that despite them understanding the difficult situation the difference of opinion of me and the director is too great & there cutting me from the rest of the film, that's fine by me I filmed most of my scenes anyway.
Ok you didn't want to go back I was going to say walk away from it anyway but to drop you because you stood up for yourself, by the sounds of it your better off. Here to the next paid job. CHEERS
Tony you should be proud. You didn't compromise yourself or what you're all about and that's a good reminder of what being a good person is about. The industry is filled with so many fakes who succeed by being superficial it's nice to know a guy who's not. I'm sorry it didn't work out but you didn't fail them, they failed you.
Yea I'm a straight guy I wasn't letting the other actor or myself get messed about I've passed the details onto my agent let them sort out the financial details for me.
My agent will bleed every penny out them, I feel sorry for the rest of the cast and crew I just hope the director reflects after this. onwards and upwards.
Enjoy your weekend people, you all deserve a beer what we do is creative great but tough :)
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