Defendor Director: First Post
Superhero Director L.A. Bound
I’ve been in LA now for five days. After a harrowing drive across America where it snowed five inches in Memphis?? And places like Texas and Arizona were covered in snow as well… you know when you cross those bridges on the highway and the sign says “Bridge May Be Icy”… Well, never have I paid more attention to that sign than I did on this road trip from Toronto to LA. Yeah, seriously, bridge was icy and foreboding, especially sandwiched between uber-trucks on deadline.
Crossing the Mississippi was like crossing the river Styx. In fact, I might be dead and this is all a dream/afterlife. What am I doing here? Well, back before Defendor took over my life and became all consuming I was an actor… And I did a show and I go some great representation down here in La La land and then I disappeared to be director guy and I never got a chance to work properly with these lovely agents and manager types. I’m nearly 39 years old and I’ve never done pilot season before. I’m probably a tad late to capitalize on the sweat fountain of my youth but better late than never. It’s strange animal this pilot season thing.
Being on the Decider side of Casting
It would be easy to feel like it’s all a treadmill but I have this bizarre fascination with the whole process of auditioning. I’m not convinced I like it but I don’t hate it it either. It’s a continual exercise in relaxation and being nimble, with the work and the energy in the room. I have mountains of respect for actors who subject themselves to this very shallow process of ‘casting.’ And then, of course, as a director I was particularly sympathetic because I wasn’t far removed from auditioning myself. I almost guarantee everyone came out of my Defendor auditions thinking they had the part because I was so effusive with my praise. Because I honestly, genuinely, know how much emotional effort is put into these things. Casting is so much more than just ability, it sometimes comes down to the most trifling thing like hair colour. It’s a weird thing to do for a living and I much prefer being on the side of the decider. Didn’t George Bush call himself the decider once?
Venice Beach and a Hammock
So I’m writing to you from a hammock. Rented a lovely little cottage house in Venice Beach. Yeah, life is rough. Got into town, had a slew of auditions, now zeroing in on directing and writing projects. Got read something called “Gifted.” And then settle into some rewriting on a project called Kids On Fire. And then Defendor opens here in LA on the 26th but the red carpet delio will happen on the 22nd. So that oughta be fun. I’ll let you know how that goes. And then in Canada it’ll open this Friday (Feb 19).
I read a great review for the film from CraveOnline.com today which I thought was accurate and fair and generous and smart and seemed to get exactly what we were going for. And it wasn’t blowing ridiculous smoke up our arses either.
Hi – is “Defendor” scheduled anytime soon for a New York City opening? The two trailers are absolutely fantastic – funny and visually arresting. Thanks, CM
I never got to see this in theatres although I have been waiting for it since I saw the trailer a few months ago. It was not what I expected but far exceeded all my expectations. I could not help but become emotionally involved by the end of the movie and have been thinking about it non stop ever since. It was heart-felt and inspiring. Kudos and thanks to the cast and director for such a strangely beautiful film. Perhaps not for the simple minded but absolutely an excellent movie.