CASTING FAQS
THE PROCESS OF BECOMING AN ego-free ACTOR Below is a series of FAQS regarding the casting process. PLEASE CAREFULLY READ ALL the information below, as it will save you time and effort before Emailing us for answers which reside on this website. Any correspondence which asks for information presented on this website will not be replied to. An introduction Hello and welcome to the casting page for CINEMA LEXZIKON. This page is presented to assist you in making sure your submission to our project(s) is a fast, easy and successful one. Over the past five years, we have found that we were wasting major amounts of time and energy answering the same questions again and again. This page was designed to put an end to that. This also acts as an important screening process for everyone. First, it will tell us if you are someone who can follow directions. It tells you if this is the kind of project you wish to be involved with. __________________________________________________________________ FAQS Q. Why should an aspiring performer work basically for free? A. Our main goal at Cinema Lexzikon is not to make you rich and famous--at least not at first--it is however our goal to establish your skills, develop your talents, and then put you in contact with those who can get you into bigger and better things. Just ask Michelle Burke who worked with us then went on to co star in THE CONEHEADS with Dan Aakroyd. Ask Mianda Watts who went on to appear in MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3, or MARLON RICHARDS who has been on CSI MIAMI, LAW AND ORDER and other National TV shows. Ask John Woodruff, who started as an extra, then went on to star in SOULRIPPERZ. Now, just a few years later, John is working in Japan as one of the most sought after models in Asia. Each of these talented individuals started out as extras on one of our no budget films. Less than a year later, they were in Hollywood and beyond. DO not be deceived by our status as "low budget". We do have industry connections, and we are known throughout the world. Why do you think people from all over the world are flying here at their own expense to be in our films? People don't do things like that just "because" it sounds "fun" or "cool". They do it because we have established a reputation for getting films DONE. That's something even a lot of Hollywood people CANNOT and DO NOT DO. _____________________________ Q. I want to be in your film, but I am traveling from out of town. I need to know how much you give for travel expenses. A. For CODE : BLACK, we had a gentleman come from Belfast Ireland. He paid his own way, air travel and accommodations. For DEMONS RISING, one of our lead actresses is traveling from AUSTRALIA. Not to make anyone feel bad, but if these hearty souls can travel across oceans at their own expense. We can make it work, if you are FLEXIBLE and DEDICATED. However.... We are also aware of the current economic crisis, and are NOW helping out with fuel costs and finding free lodging for all out of town performers. We don't want our performers going broke trying to work with us. _______________________________ Q. What are shoot days like? A. Long, hard. But also fun. The majority of the time spent on a film set is waiting for scenes to be set up. Do not be deceived by what you see on screen, there is very little "action" in the actual shooting of action films. HOWEVER, unlike Hollywood sets where it can take hours to shoot one set-up, WILLIAM LEE moves his shoots along very quickly. It is not uncommon for Mr. Lee to shoot 10 pages of script in a single day. On the set of his recent short film CRAK'D PIPES, 27 pages of script were shot in two days. So, while there is a lot of down time, William Lee is a firm believer in the philosophy of legendary film director JOHN HUSTON: "Two takes is quite enough, thank you." BELIEVE IT. WE GET THINGS DONE, QUICKLY. CINEMA LEXZIKON always strives for the highest quality possible, and will never take short cuts to get it "done", however we also do not have million dollar budgets, or the luxury of shooting multiple takes in certain locations. With that said, please understand: When the director yells cut, you'd better well believe he means it. ______________________________ Q. I have a bowling league which starts up right after the shooting schedule starts. I was wondering if I could get done each day by 5pm, so I could get to my bowling team. It's important. A. Please go bowl. Making you famous and moving your career ahead are secondary. At least that what your question implies. ________________________________ Q. Can you fly me in for the auditions and put me up in a room? A. Ask this same question to a major film studio. See what they say and let us know. A professional performer realizes that getting to an audition is your responsibility, not ours. ______________________________________ Q. I only accept starring roles, so I have to be sure you're giving me one before I apply, okay? A. Keep your ego in check, and try again. We make the decisions on what role we will offer. Now don't get us wrong, we appreciate people with the guts to "go for it", but making demands about what you will or will not do is immediate cause for dismissal. We're professionals, treat us as such. Prima Donnas and Divas need not apply. This ain't Hollywood. ________________________________________ Q. What is the best way to prepare for a role in your films? A. Become a student of film, instead of just an observer. When you go to films, take a step back and watch what is going on INSIDE the frame. Ignore the story, the characters, and just observe how the camera is moving, the lighting, special effects. Another way to improve your understanding of the film process is to watch the "extra special features" on DVDs you rent. Alot of people skip these, but for someone working in film they are invaluable. They will also save you alot of time wondering why we do things the way we do on our sets. Did you know that some directors have in the past shot films exactly as written In the script, with NO changes allowed? Billy Wilder and Eric Von Stroheim were two famous directors who allowed NO deviation from their writing, period. Wilder even wrote camera direction into the script, a process William Lee followed for many years. Did you know that the British crew working on the film ALIEN almost shut the film down, because the American producers would not allow them to have tea on the set during filming? Facts like this can be found simply by watching the special features, extras and directors commentaries on DVDs. Try it sometime, you'll learn so much from things that most actors ignore. _____________________________________ Q. I want to play the lead female role, but there's a love scene that involves "showing skin". What does that mean? A. Let us first say that this issue comes up way too many times, and we deal with it on a case by case basis. The bottom line is, if your significant other is bothered you have to "act" in a love scene, you should not be in this business. This is a movie, not a porno freak fest. We don't shoot explicit sex, we don't require you to have sex with people you don't know, we don't engage in lewd acts on set period. With that said.... We specialize in Action/Horror/Martial Arts Films. Most of the films we do will have an R rating. This means there will be violence, profanity, and sexual innuendo. We do NOT make Pornographic films. In addition, although we do make films of a sometimes “provocative” nature, we are quite disgusted and appalled at the current crop of booty shaking, bling-bling, ghetto oriented music videos and films. WE SIMPLY DO NOT CONDONE, ACCEPT, OR PRODUCE TRASH OF THIS NATURE. Please note: If you are of a sensitive nature and find these concepts offensive then we certainly do not wish to make you uncomfortable but in the film business; this is what sells and we ask that only professional minded persons apply. We do our best to make sure that each actor/actress is comfortable with their role. Acting is taking on another persona, it is pretend. At no time will you be asked to actually engage in sexual activities of any kind with another actor. Most sexually suggestive scenes are just that: suggestive…. The scene is made provocative by what is not shown as opposed to what is actually happening. We realize that each person has their own limits and comfort level with this and we do all we can to ensure that your concerns are taken seriously. We ask in return that you know your own comfort level before embarking upon such a role. What we also ask in return from you is that you are serious and professional at all times and that you are fully in touch with the concept of reality vs. fantasy and understand that this is a job, a role you are playing, you are performing as an artist and you are not at any time going to be participating in actual acts of sex. PERIOD. Finally, realize that filmmaking is not just an art, is a business. Until such time as there is no profit to be gained from films which stretch the boundaries, push the envelope, offend, disturb, arouse, titillate or anger the viewing public, such elements will be part of our productions. We make films not only to entertain, but to promote thought, debate and increased interest in our films. The “sexual” scenes in this film are more suggestive than actually physical “actions” of the characters. Please be an adult. It’s only a movie. ____________________________ SO, YOU WANT TO BE AN EXTRA? Advice for those not ready to take the plunge... In the world of filmmaking, EXTRAS form a needed and integral part of any film. While we like our talent to "go for it" and take on a role, many prefer to test the waters of film work by being an extra. Here is how we operate and what is expected of an extra in our features: EXTRAS INFO I am issuing this instruction sheet specifically for extras involved in our production. This information has been repeated in numerous versions, but this is the definitive version. As an extra on our project, you will have various opportunities to demonstrate your skills. While we cannot promise major dialog, your on the set demeanor and performance may warrant larger responsibilities as the production moves along. The key words are BE PREPARED. As an extra, you must be PREPARED to change at a moment’s notice. Flexibility is the key. If you cannot be flexible, you CANNOT be an effective extra. Please keep that in mind. First and foremost, always know WHAT wardrobe your character requires. MAKE sure you contact the wardrobe supervisor well in advance of your shoot dates to see what you need to buy and bring to the set. DO NOT SHOW UP at the set expecting everything to be waiting for you. This is low budget filmmaking, and is very dependent on personal responsibility and coordination. The dates you will shoot are basically in YOUR HANDS. You are given a shoot schedule, you review it, then let us know all of the dates you will be available. With so many people to coordinate, we cannot contact you each and every week to see if you are available. Nothing personal, but again, this is not a Hollywood production. Alot depends on you and your personal sense of responsibility. In short, EXTRAS are needed almost every day, so please don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re only “one kind of extra” and decide to only show up on that day. WE NEED YOU. Your work is appreciated, and so is your understanding and cooperation. THANK YOU. WILLIAM LEE President/CEO CINEMA LEXZIKON PRODUCTIONS LLC Copyright 2008 CINEMA LEXZIKON PRODUCTIONS LLC All rights reserved. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL CASTING INFO TO: casting director Casting@cinemalexzikon.com CINEMA LEXZIKON PRODUCTIONS LLC P.O. Box 360413 COLUMBUS, OH 43236 |
| WORKING WITH CINEMA LEXZIKON: TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH CINEMA LEXZIKON First and foremost, this is not Hollywood, we don't shoot in L.A., and we are not going to pay you a million dollars up front. Okay, now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's begin. STEP NUMBER ONE: Read all of the info on this site relating to the background of the company, past productions, articles, etc. It's not that our egos are so big that we need that kind of thing, but it's so you TOTALLY understand who we are and what we do. Too many times over the past few years, we have had submissions by supposed professional actors from NY and LA demanding huge sums of money to appear in our films. Just shows you that the word "professional" is questionable when a "professional" can't even follow instructions. We know you are not one of "those guys" or "girls". STEP NUMBER TWO: Leave your egos behind. If you have worked with other indie film companies, this experience will be unlike anything you have ever been through. The work is hard, the hours are long, the pay is practically non existent...but, you will network, make friends, develop your skills, and you may even find yourself in Hollywood--if that is your desire. Or, you can stay in the Midwest and practice your craft with a group of similarly dedicated professionals. Do not come to the set expecting to be treated like film royalty without proving yourself. EVERYONE HAS TO PAY THEIR DUES. PERIOD. STEP NUMBER THREE: Once you read and understand everything, and you have no axe to grind, are not a prima donna, and have no intention of trying to take the director's chair during the project, make sure you send your submissions in this fashion: ALL casting inquiries require a headshot or comp card, plus a professional resume with updated contact info. In addition, a website with this info is an acceptable replacement. ATTENTION: For you initial contact with our company, submissions by e-mail and e-mail attachment (for photos, resumes, video) are the preferred method of contact. Snail mail is fine too, and must be addressed to CASTING at our P.O. BOX. DO NOT EVER submit anything unless your submission has been approved by casting. ALL unsolicited materials get sent to the shredder. HOWEVER!!!!YOU WILL NEVER BE GIVEN A ROLE IN ANY OF OUR PRODUCTIONS WITHOUT A FACE TO FACE INTERVIEWING PROCESS! |
| A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS ·CINEMA LEXZIKON PRODUCTIONS LCC is always seeking talented people to join our cast and crew. ·CINEMA LEXZIKON PRODUCTIONS LCC is an ego-free environment, seeking ego-free, flexible, open-minded individuals to join us in our ventures. ·CINEMA LEXZIKON PRODUCTIONS LCC does not receive funding of any kind from any source. All productions are funded by the personal funds of the filmmakers. Therefore, before submitting please understand: · CINEMA LEXZIKON PRODUCTIONS LLC cannot pay professional scale rates. We are not affiliated with any union or studio, and therefore we have no idea how your SAG/AFTRA affiliations would affect you working with us. |
SOME SIMPLE FACTS TO PONDER...... · Even though we have participants from all over the world (Because they obviously understand our mission.) we cannot pay FULL airfare OR TRAVEL EXPENSES for those coming from points outside our fair city. Due to the recent economic crisis, AS OF 2009, we do however offer to assist in fuel costs for those traveling at their own expense. AS OF 2009, WE CAN ALSO NOW offer accommodations via our network of production assistants. · If you agree to work on a film, honor your commitment. PLEASE DO NOT waste our time if you are undecided. People who commit and back out are considered problems in the film industry, and multiple occurrences of "bailing" on a production company can get you run right out of the business. MAKE SURE YOU fully understand the nature of your commitment to a project. It is not easy, glamorous, or set in stone. This brings us to the next point... · If you agree to work on a film, be FLEXIBLE. This is the world of independent filmmaking. EVERYTHING changes, all the time, minute to minute. IF you cannot adapt to change, if you need a shot by shot, day by day finalized plan of action you are in the wrong business, and you are with the wrong company. Any shoot day can be changed due to weather, inability to get a location, or undependable cast and crew. · BE DEPENDABLE. Independent film relies on a lot of sacrifice and hard work by talented people. When ONE person fails to show up, and keep his or her commitment, everyone suffers. Including the person who was undependable. If you agree to be in the film, realize things change, then don't show as promised, you affect EVERYONE involved. If you have family issues, business issues, jealous spouse issues, money issues, ego issues...whatever the case...DO NOT AGREE TO WORK IN THIS PRODUCTION FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER. If you can not be counted on, do not WASTE THE TIME TO CONTACT US. PERIOD. . If you find your way onto one of projects, please respect us. We are about the business of completing our projects, our way. Bottom line is, we complete feature films on a regular basis. We know some people disagree with the way we operate. That's fine, we just don't want need the negativity. Negativity is unacceptable on our set. |
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