Rehearsal
September 28th, 2006
Just came back from a rehearsal reading this evening with my actors, Erin and James. Eeek. Very strange to hear the words that have been rolling around in your head coming out of other people’s mouths.
Erin and James have both proved quick studies, very intuitive at picking up the language of the film and my peculiar cadences and love of polysyllabic words (although some of them will have to go before the reading on Sunday - as I discovered, I had some real tongue-twisters in there.)
We discovered the treatment really barrels along, especially towards the end when the action picks up. Obviously I was hoping that would be the case, but it was nice to hear them evolve it naturally in the reading; the two of them picked up speed and alternated passages as the tension grows in the final act and gave it real momentum.
The middle act is still weak, and I’m not sure what to do about it. There’s a real howler of a scene toward the end of the 2nd act which I’m sure will elicit groans, but it’s a reading, after all.
Overall, I think I’ve got the breadth of the film nailed down now. From here, and using the feedback I’ll get at the session on Sunday, I’ve got to start working on ‘deepening’ the script - enriching the themes, the history and the backstory, without overwhelming the structure I’ve already got. I’m nervous, but looking forward to it.
Entry Filed under: production diary
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