Last night, both before and after dinner, I spent time browsing websites and social media to find local actors and actresses. I focused on those in the story's lead roles, specifically looking for individuals who might be Choctaw Indian actors in Mississippi.
The script has not been written yet and I'm realizing for good reason. As I mentioned in my last blog post, I write big. Big for me anyway.
Take this current screenplay idea for example. It's a story revolving around a woman's transformation after a violent attack. As a male I've gone through something similar but not this drastic, I'm just familiar with some of the emotions that may be present. That part of the story is my main objective. As long as I don't lose that, or what that may morph into by the time the screenplay is done, I'm okay with it.
I've decided to make her, the main character, Choctaw. Well, I can't find any actors within 50 miles, 100 miles, or 150 miles that could fill her role or those roles of her family.
Since there are no actors available locally, I would need to search outside my area to cast for the roles. If successful, I would need to budget for additional expenses such as their accommodation, extra fuel costs, and other costs related to working with non-local talent. Writing the story would lead to a spec script, which exceeds my budget.
With local actors, I could coordinate with their daily routines or work schedules. However, for out-of-town actors, filming would have to take place when they were all available simultaneously. I couldn't arrange a cost-effective shooting schedule; everything would need to happen within a very restricted time frame.
Considering this, since there are no available actors for those roles within a 50-mile radius or beyond, I expanded my search to include everyone. There are over a hundred talented actors in my vicinity, with some closer than anticipated. I prioritize the story and the character's journey over the character's ethnicity.
I'll explore local talent as I move from completing the final draft of my current spec screenplay to the project discussed in this blog.
Life offers no guarantees, and this project is no exception. Nevertheless, I would be failing from the start if I didn't implement changes to even have a chance to launch and complete this project.
After considering this decision, it seems logical to change some elements of the story. I now have a clearer idea of how to create a more cost-effective script for "Death Rides a Pale Horse". Do not get me wrong, if by some chance actors suitable for these Choctaw roles become available locally, I'm still willing to write the script accordingly. However, I can't rely on that possibility for too long if I intend to complete it or even begin it.
Comments