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[MajicMan]

I am a director working on a full length horror film with all cast and crew working for "ahem" deferred pay.

I have a lot of hard working and talented individuals contributing to this film and we have put a lot of hard work and hours into it already.

For the past few weeks I have had a problem with one of my cast members cancelling on the shoot at the last minute - in less than 24 hours that is.

I work with such a widespread cast that usually the only shoots we can switch over to at the last minute are simple pick-up shots.

So I have had to cancel two shoots two weeks runnning and I am literally between a rock and a hard place.

I don't want to fire this cast member because I really love her in the role - not to mention it means I would have to reshoot her scenes as well. Mind you I am not adverse to replacing her if that is what needs to be done. But I don't want to do it unless absolutely necessary.

As of right now I haven't even been able to call this cast member because I am so infuriated that I can't say anything that would help and would no doubt only exacerbate the situation.

But I also feel responsible to my other cast members that are dedicated and show up when they say they will - rain or shine.

I don't know how to approach this other than to start laying out ultimatums such as "if this happens again, don't worry about calling because we will find someone else to play your part."

So has anyone else had a similar experience? Have you been stuck with a cast member that you know is right for the role - but then has momentary lapses of responsibility and leaves everyone with their "you-know-whats" hanging in the wind?

I just need a little time to work out my thought process so I can approach the situation properly and not make matters worse.

Thanks.

[DIMWIT]

This has happened to me and my partners a few times, The most recent was the worst. It has brought me to this solution: You are the director and are responsible for the cast members showing up. If one person is doing it now soon you will have a mutiny on your hands. People will not take you seriously, some will lose interest, and some will think that it must be OK not to show up that it's no big deal. I had to postpone the movie I am working on a whole year being that it takes place in the fall. It is no fun, and we might have to re-cast now!

[shadowed_images]

FIRE this person before she ruins the morale of the entire production... You'll be better off to re-cast the part and re-shoot with the new actress...

Watch how much better you'll feel after you remove the problem.

[bchilindron]

I totally agree with the responses to your question. If you do not fire her, the ensemble and/or crew will not respect you as a director. You’re the “captain of the ship” and must show leadership by taking out a bad apple. Your story is not unique; it has happened to all of us, and when shooting on a difficult low budget you cannot afford a cast member thinking she is a dive and just say “I’m not coming to work today” for whatever reason.

Some of us are so desperate to make or complete a film that many times we’ll put with plain arrogance, or worst yet, irresponsibility.

Don’t let this happen to your film, jus cast another actor and re-shoot her scenes,
Bernardo

[shadowed_images]

majicman said:

I am a director working on a full length horror film with all cast and crew working for "ahem" deferred pay.

I have a lot of hard working and talented individuals contributing to this film and we have put a lot of hard work and hours into it already.

For the past few weeks I have had a problem with one of my cast members cancelling on the shoot at the last minute - in less than 24 hours that is.

I work with such a widespread cast that usually the only shoots we can switch over to at the last minute are simple pick-up shots.

So I have had to cancel two shoots two weeks runnning and I am literally between a rock and a hard place.

I don't want to fire this cast member because I really love her in the role - not to mention it means I would have to reshoot her scenes as well. Mind you I am not adverse to replacing her if that is what needs to be done. But I don't want to do it unless absolutely necessary.

As of right now I haven't even been able to call this cast member because I am so infuriated that I can't say anything that would help and would no doubt only exacerbate the situation.

But I also feel responsible to my other cast members that are dedicated and show up when they say they will - rain or shine.

I don't know how to approach this other than to start laying out ultimatums such as "if this happens again, don't worry about calling because we will find someone else to play your part."

So has anyone else had a similar experience? Have you been stuck with a cast member that you know is right for the role - but then has momentary lapses of responsibility and leaves everyone with their "you-know-whats" hanging in the wind?

I just need a little time to work out my thought process so I can approach the situation properly and not make matters worse.

Thanks.

I'm curious as to how things turned out with this.... Let us know what ya chose to do regarding the problem.