What makes a good cast director?

Nerves of steel, the ability to shout louder than anyone else in the
room, and a whip. It also helps to be able to sew, since the majority
of the cast will never get accurate costumes unless you make them, and
if you want them to smell sweet, youd better own a washing machine,
since they wont clean them either. You need a clear set of ideas and
visions since your cast simply wants to fart around onstage in front of
their friends, and the ability to act like the recess lady at your old
school.
If you think Im kidding, try it.
Bev
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

JefF-

Well said, and some very valid, well thought out points. I agree.
:)

Bill
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

A little long in the tooth to start wondering now...aren't you Larry?

Do not worry...you have the best qualties to be cast leader for your
cast.

The posts are all right on...and no lengthy thread could ever be
complete.

But never forget....no matter how great or terrible it gets......it's
just Rocky.

And the less you try to analyze and define it ....the better.

Mark Tomaino
Midnight Insanity
Opening at the Royal Theater aboard the Queen Mary August 25
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

I am pretty sure that almost anyone who has responded to Larry's Post
thus far (myself excluded) would be a lot better leaders than anyone
who ever won on THE APPRENTICE.
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

Geena Phillips wrote:

> A lone Micronaut lost in a world of Star Wars action figures,
> (The Excessively Parenthetical) Geena-- Worrier Princess


Which Micronaught are you?????

I wanna be Biotron, or maybe one of the Acroyers ( they have some
cool masks)..sadly, in real life I would be one of Baron Karza's drones
that follows him around cleraning up the horse poop that comes outta
him. :( But Bug is also kinda fun, tssssssk.

Bill :)
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

Oh Mark, I disagree with you here. YOU would do well on the
Apprentice!! You & I have had our differences over the years, but at
all times I have admired your business acumen, not just for RHPS, but
in your life as well.
I just cant see you sitting and taking some of the criticism Trump
dishes out!
Bev
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

BertSchnickRHPS.RemoveThis@aol.com wrote:
> Geena Phillips wrote:
>
>
>>A lone Micronaut lost in a world of Star Wars action figures,
>>(The Excessively Parenthetical) Geena-- Worrier Princess
>
>
>
> Which Micronaught are you?????

My crippling 80's obsession would seem to indicate that I'm Time
Traveller. :)


--
--
Well, whaddaya know? War WAS the answer, after all. Go figure.

A lone Micronaut lost in a world of Star Wars action figures,
(The Excessively Parenthetical) Geena-- Worrier Princess

"Reciprocity... is the key to every relationship."
--LAPD Capt. Dudley Smith (James Cromwell), in L.A. Confidential

"Andy Warhol once said that everyone would be famous for fifteen
minutes. The unfortunate corollary is that everyone will also appear in
a Freddie Prinze, Jr. movie for fifteen minutes."
--me

"This is like driving a Rolls Royce, naked, in mink underpants."
--Tony Bourdain

"You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline - it
helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons,
but at the very least you need a beer."
-- Frank Zappa

"I'm not sayin' it's the best thing in the world FOR ya; I'm just sayin'
it's the best thing in the world."
-- Alton Brown

"The most preposterous notion that H. sapiens has ever dreamed up is
that the Lord God of Creation, Shaper and Ruler of all the Universes,
wants the saccharine adoration of His creatures, can be swayed by their
prayers, and becomes petulant if He does not receive this flattery. Yet
this absurd fantasy, without a shred of evidence to bolster it, pays all
the expenses of the oldest, largest, and least productive industry in
all history."
-- Robert Heinlein
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

Dude, up until '94, I still had Centaurus, Repto, and Kronos... :-) I used
to have almost the complete set of Micronauts toys, although I had a
tendency to break them - I replaced the plastic guts and springs in the
missile launchers on the Battle Cruiser with steel parts and heavy-duty
industrial springs so it could put the missiles through a glass window, lol.
And I'd definitely either be Acroyear or Bug from the comics (I had a
complete run of both vol.1 & 2 of the series, and the four-issue crossover
with the X-Men, as well as most or all of their random appearances in other
titles)... I would sooo totally shag Marionette... ;-)

ST

<BertSchnickRHPS DeleteThis @aol.com> wrote in message
news:1155805410.906582.232880@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>
> Geena Phillips wrote:
>
> > A lone Micronaut lost in a world of Star Wars action figures,
> > (The Excessively Parenthetical) Geena-- Worrier Princess
>
>
> Which Micronaught are you?????
>
> I wanna be Biotron, or maybe one of the Acroyers ( they have some
> cool masks)..sadly, in real life I would be one of Baron Karza's drones
> that follows him around cleraning up the horse poop that comes outta
> him. :( But Bug is also kinda fun, tssssssk.
>
> Bill :)
>
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

This post is more than a few days old but I had to reply!

I remember when I joined another Cast after the one I formed had to
disband when Rocky stoped showing at our theatre. I was very surprised
at the difference. It was run very much as a dictatorship. Do as you
"Asked" or your out! Well it turned out that it couldn't really work
that way (surprise, surprise) but the one thing I learned about about
Rocky Horror Leadership is the actual leaders of the groups like this
are sometimes not the ones with the titles. Sometimes when you have a
bad leader the true leadership ends up being the ones who are able to
convince everyone NOT TO QUIT! Put up with the "Cast Leader" and then
find a way to politely ask them to step down or (better yet) elect a
Second to releave the responcibility. Sometimes the person isn't really
all that bad just geting burned out! Usually anyone that ends up as a
cast leader has some very good points. But with the spotlight, media
attention as well as audience applause, and fanfare, people just loose
touch with reality.

I guess as a Cast Leader and someone that worked with a cast leader, I
think the best thing to say is learn to put up with people more than
trying to find ways to get rid of them. Learn to "Dance" if you know
what I mean. The hardest thing is going to be how to keep it fun and
not just work no one gets paid for.




Larry Viezel wrote:
> I've been wondering a lot lately about what exactly it is that makes a
> cast director a good cast director. I know many casts are set up in
> many different ways but overall there is usually a Head Idiot In Charge
> type (with a few exceptions). So I ask what are the qualities / things
> that person does that makes them viable for that position?
>
> Larry.
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

Larry Viezel wrote:
> I've been wondering a lot lately about what exactly it is that makes a
> cast director a good cast director. I know many casts are set up in
> many different ways but overall there is usually a Head Idiot In Charge
> type (with a few exceptions). So I ask what are the qualities / things
> that person does that makes them viable for that position?
>
> Larry.

IMHO ... a good leader knows how to delegate. There is a difference
between a cast director and a stage manager. You could have a few good
people helping you out ... dealing with actors is a difficult job on
it's own ... then add lights, security, props and theater management
in, and that's enough to drive one person crazy. Know how to think
with your head, and feel with your heart.
And that's all I'll say about that. (I was in Indecent Exposure, and I
know my stage manager(s) helped me on so many different levels ... egos
are very fragile and can break easily).
I think you're on the right path ... just showing that you care enough
to ask.
I wish you the best of luck.
<3
Sandra D'
(I.E. '85-'92)
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

I see I've stumbled upon this a bit late in the game, but I'll throw in
what's worked for Sins the past 2 decades.
I didn't read all of the previous posts, but Jeff's novel was pretty
right on.

-The number one rule is remembering that you're there to put on a show.
Your duty is to your audience first and foremost, not your cast.
Without the audience you have no show, no cast, no fun. So you have to
make sure to put on a good show for them, in the format they want to
see, and keep putting asses in the seats.
-As for running the cast, you need to be able to identify and make the
*right* decision, especially when it's not the *fair* decision. Again-
what's best for the show, not the individuals.
-You need to be able to swallow your pride and admit when you're wrong
-You need to be a good listener
-You need to be a good delegator
-You need to be a GREAT communicator, especially to your cast members.
As long as they're in the know about things they tend to follow along
better than when you spring something on them
-Be positive
-You need to have good business skills with the theatre. Understand
where they're coming from and speak to them in their terms if you want
to get something out of them. It goes beyond the one manager who works
the show to. I have a business lunch at least once a month, if not
more, with executives from Landmark's corporate office. I'm usually out
with the head booker for the region, but occasionally I'll meet up with
the CFO as well and I've had conversations with the CEO. That doesn't
mean I'll always get what my cast needs, but at least the know who I am
and know that we as a cast respect their business interests and that
makes them a little more agreeable to things like making a new stage
for us so we can put on a better show and bring them more $.


Everyone has a different structure to their cast, and considering the
longevity of some of the casts around such as NYC, SINS, MI, HoH, CI,
Midnight Madness, Barley Legal, etc...it's obvious that a lot of the
different formats work, it's about finding the right one for your cast.


We have a complete democracy, loosely based on the US Gov(in theory
anyway). Our Leaders are elected or removed in pairs. Majority votes
make 90% of the decisions. The cast leaders only make decisions on
their own regarding smaller business or supply issues and emergency
disciplinary actions. Any disciplinary action is reviewed at the next
cast meeting where the majority makes the final decision on the
subject. Cast leaders can veto a majority decision, but a 2/3 majority
vote can overturn the Cast Leaders decision and that's final. There's
more particulars, and our constitution is available for anyone to read
upon request but basically- we lead the cast in the direction it wants
to go. We facilitate the casts will rather than dictating it. But
that's just what works for us.



Larry Viezel wrote:
> I've been wondering a lot lately about what exactly it is that makes a
> cast director a good cast director. I know many casts are set up in
> many different ways but overall there is usually a Head Idiot In Charge
> type (with a few exceptions). So I ask what are the qualities / things
> that person does that makes them viable for that position?
>
> Larry.
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

Bernie

Don't feel bad, I've been meaning to post in this thread for a couple
weeks as well. I'm not getting the impetus to do so...

I think that going over this thread with a fine tooth comb and
distilling it would make a handy "how to run ROCKY" primer...if only I
didn't already have so many projects!

ANYWAY!

Almost seven years ago, when I was a "silent coproducer" of my
then-cast, circumstances thrust me into a leadership position I didn't
necessarily want but accepted because the only other alternative
persons were not acceptable at the time.

My good friend Charley in Tucson, then himself undergoing his own
trials, kindly and graciously sent me a list of "13 Commandments" that
he said he swore by as a cast maager.

That list saved my ass more than once.

As time went on, I expanded it, added to it, reworded and clarified a
few things. In reading it now, two years later, I'd certainly change a
few other things. Having said that, I'm throwing it out there, both my
expanded version, and Charley's original post, and I hope it will add
to this thread...and perhaps be of use to someone out there...

THE 20 COMMANDMENTS
OF RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL ROCKY HOROR CAST
BY CHARLES A. BROWN, TUCSON, 2000
Expanded by Matthew M. Yenkala, 2001-2004
V 3.0

1. Never appear to be, and never BE, wishy-washy-STAND FIRM, but
don't be so inflexible that you are above compromise, or trying new
things. Do not discourage debate; take questioning of your decisions as
an opportunity to demonstrate WHY you've made those
decisions-explain your thought processes; but know when to agree to
disagree and move on. When the final decision is made, a unified front
must be presented to the cast and audience and the course of action
acted upon, all past disagreements aside, and no "I told you
so's".

2. Your powers/authority must be centred in the vision of ONE. It
should be someone who is a "BIG PICTURE THINKER", someone with a
vision-but not so consumed with it that the "small picture" is
overlooked or neglected. Ideally it should also be someone who will
LISTEN TO, and take into account, the thoughts/opinions/wishes of
everyone, but NOT get so bogged down trying to please all people at all
times that NOTHING gets done at all-because you can't make EVERYONE
happy all the time, and someone will ALWAYS disagree with your
decisions-especially when you are dealing with 30-50 egos of very
sensitive creative people. Know the difference between when it's time
to listen to advice, and time to make decisions/give orders.

3. THEATRE IS NOT GOOD DEMOCRACY! (The Queen is checked by
Parliament)-see point #3. Have an advisory council, have subgroups
for specific issues/tasks/projects-but do not run things by
committee-otherwise things will NEVER get done! Remember that the
needs of the group as a whole are greater than the needs of any
individual within it.

4. SET THE DATE AND STICK TO IT!

5. TREAT YOUR PROJECT LIKE STONE SOUP (if you don't believe it, who
will?)

6. NOTHING IS FINAL/EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE/THERE CAN ALWAYS BE
EXCEPTIONS-leave wiggle room/a trapdoor in every rule or guideline
that allows for specific circumstances that can be judged case-by-case.

7. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING YOU SAY (YOU may not remember it, but THEY
will). Be prepared to explain or defend apparent inconsistencies in
your decisions and policies.

8. SOMETIMES ENTHUSIASM IS WORTH MORE THAN RAW TALENT (sometimes it's
not). NO ONE IS REJECTED-it's not IF you can use someone, but
WHERE. Dedication, enthusiasm and initiative should be rewarded.


9. People are not always best able to self-judge their own strengths
and weaknesses for casting or anything else (this is where democracy is
kicked in the ass and tyranny rules supreme--see rule #s 3 & 6)

10. Cast each role individually, one by one, with three alternates in
priority order. Call to confirm via telephone and keep notes of every
hard decision and the needs of each individual in your cast. Do not
rely solely on email; you must speak to the person.

11. Casting decisions should be a combination of instinct and logic-do
not play favourites. Consider the actor's ability, availability,
chemistry with other performers, costume, attitude, look, personality,
raw enthusiasm and their own needs-AND gauge audience response as
well (since in the end, the audi4ence casts the show). Sometimes one or
more of these factors may seem to outweigh the others; therefore, cast
each role and performer on an INDIVIDUAL basis-have set criteria, but
allow some latitude within those parameters. However, lay down the law
that NO ONE OWNS THEIR PART!

12. I AM NOT DONE, BUT I AM FINISHED.

13. HAVE FUN, AND TRY NOT TO GET ANYONE PISSED AT YOU.

14. LEAVE YOUR DRAMA AT THE DOOR. In a group as tight-knit as RHPS,
personal relationships and close friendships are inevitable-as are
disagreements and fallings-out. But all parties must agree to not let
such things affect the show or show-related events, and you must be as
unbiased as possible in dealing with people in this setting. People's
personal lives are not anyone's business, nor should they be,
including yours-JUST DON'T LET THEM AFFECT THE SHOW! People need to
get over themselves and get on with the show, period.

15. COVER YOUR ASS. Always have a backup plan! And always make sure
you're not doing anything that will get you, your cast, your audience
or your theatre in trouble!

16. REMEMBER-IT'S ONLY A MOVIE! The reason we all do this-cast,
audience, everyone-is to have fun (and make money for the theatre
hosting us). When it stops being FUN-there's a problem.

17. THE SHOW MUST GO ON! The audience has paid money and is there to
be entertained, to have fun, to see YOU. Treat every show like an
event, and like it is the audience's FIRST-TAKE them somewhere, to
a different world, to TRANSSEXUAL, TRANSYLVANIA-make them welcome
there, make them want to come back, and bring all their friends!

18. DO NOT TAKE YOUR THEATRE FOR GRANTED! The show plays because a
theatre or other venue has been nice enough to let you do it there.
Since what we do is unusual and often considered "weird", be
grateful for ANYplace willing to give you a home. Treat the venue's
employees and non-ROCKY customers with absolute kid gloves, and be
grateful you HAVE a theatre at all-TREAT EVERY SHOW LIKE IT COULD BE
YOUR LAST!

19. BE A ROLE MODEL. Set the example you expect your cast to follow. A
leader leads. Take responsibility; everyone is accountable! Pick your
battles; learn from your mistakes, and others', and try not to repeat
them. NEVER start a fight-always finish it.

20. COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE. Time and again in Rocky and
life in general, SO much trouble and pain could be avoided if people
would simply GET OVER THEMSELVES and talk to each other about whatever
is going on. Not doing so is going to be the root of any and every
problem you will ever have. It doesn't have to be like this-all we
need to do is KEEP TALKING.

Charley's Original Version...


1. Never appear to be, and never BE, wishy-washy-STAND FIRM. (Just
don't be so inflexible that you are above compromise, or trying new
things.)
2. Your powers/authority must be centred in the vision of ONE (ideally
someone who will LISTEN TO, and take into account, the
thoughts/opinions/wishes of everyone, but NOT get so bogged down trying
to please all people at all times that NOTHING gets done at
all-someone who knows when it's time to listen to advice, and time
to make decisions/give orders)
3. THEATRE IS NOT GOOD DEMOCRACY! (The Queen is checked by Parliament)
4. SET THE DATE AND STICK TO IT!
5. TREAT YOUR PROJECT LIKE STONE SOUP (if you don't believe it, who
will?)
6. NOTHING IS FINAL/EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE/THERE CAN ALWAYS BE
EXCEPTIONS--build a trapdoor into every rule or guideline that allows
for specific circumstances that can be judged case-by-case; NO ONE IS
REJECTED (it's not IF we need you, it's WHERE)
7. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING YOU SAY (YOU may not remember it, but THEY will)
8. SOMETIMES ENTHUSIASM IS WORTH MORE THAN RAW TALENT
9. People are not always best able to self-judge their own strengths
and weaknesses for casting or anything else (this is where democracy is
kicked in the ass and tyranny rules supreme--see rule #s 3 & 6)
10. Cast each role individually, one by one, with three alternates in
priority order. Call to confirm via telephone and keep notes of every
hard decision and the needs of each individual in your cast. Do not
rely solely on email; you must speak to the person.
11. Casting decisions should be a combination of instinct and logic-do
not play favourites. Consider the actor's ability, availability,
chemistry with other performers, costume, attitude, look, personality,
raw enthusiasm and their own needs. Sometimes one or more of these
factors may seem to outweigh the others; therefore, cast each role and
performer on an INDIVIDUAL basis-have set criteria, but allow some
latitude within those parameters.
12. I AM NOT FINISHED, BUT I AM DONE.
13. HAVE FUN, AND TRY NOT TO GET ANYONE PISSED AT YOU.
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director? 

er. I meant that reading Bernie's response GAVE me the impetus to
respond...too tired. Everyone break a leg at your shows tonight--and
I'll be doing the same soon..

Matteo
www.AZRocky.com
Come As You Are
 >> Stay informed about: What makes a good cast director?