Rufus won't play villians.....

[Tinkerdog]

on the internet in Metro.co.uk -

www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=30918&in_page_id=7&in_a_source=

in The Independent -

enjoyment.independent.co.uk/theatre/news/article2110683.ece

[britfan2]

I have to ask myself everytime Rufus says that he keeps getting "offered" roles that call for him to play bad guys & be in costume dramas. Well my answer to him is "Instead of going off to India to find yourself, why don't you GO AFTER the roles you do want." FIGHT FOR THEM! I have seen it happen many times where a well known, established actor (albeit mostly actresses) has gone after a part he or she really wanted. When they were told they weren't "right" they have asked to audition & have won the roles. Even those actors who know longer read for parts will offer to do this in order to prove they can do the part.

(This is the mom in me) You can't always wait for something to fall into your lap. Sometimes you have to help it along a little... & sometimes a lot! Get that ear down on the tracks & see what is coming down & if it is what you want .....GO AFTER IT!
(Just no serial killers ...... Please?...not yet anyway)

[ree]

Britfan, I've often wondered the same thing myself. As much as it pains me to sound critical of Rufus, I can't help but wonder just how hard he pushed for the roles he really wanted. For instance the part of the police detective in The Illusionist.
Maybe I'm just a pushy American & don't understand, but I've always been of the opinion that when you really want something you'd better be prepared to fight for it.

[ukelelehip]

Even though I agree that if you want something, you should go out and fight for it, I don't think that it's up to guts and determination alone in the movie industry. Not only do you have to impress people with your talents but you also have to be bankable and there are so many other people out there who want the same part. It's just soooo fickle.

[mcr5137]

I agree with you, Uke, I think the film industry is different........you can't just "fight" for what you want, unless you are a star in the stratosphere (such as Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, etc). I think every actor has to go after any part they truly want, but, unfortunately it doesn't always work out. Major studios have a lot more on their minds ($$$) than just finding the best actor, they have to find the best actor to sell the film.

[GreenEyesToo]

mcr5137 said:

Major studios have a lot more on their minds ($$$) than just finding the best actor, they have to find the best actor to sell the film.

But look how that backfired on Tristan and Isolde.

It was made clear on the feature on the DVD that the studio put forward their choices for Tristan, and that James Franco was their pick - yet, to put it politely, the director was rather luke-warm about that on the DVD.

In my opinion, it was the forcing of Franco for the role that hampered its success. With the right actor, that could would have been a phenomenal success because the sheer scale of it, coupled with genuine chemistry beween the leads (and not to mention Mr S, of course) would have captured the public imagination.

Certain stars may be deemed bankable, but they're not immune to flops (Mr Costner, Mr Cruise anyone?) - and given the amount of money that is chucked into their movies, when they flop, they must cost the studios far more than if they'd just taken the risk with a lesser-known, but more-suited actor in the first place!

I've read several times that "The Illusionist" (that we Brits have still not seen - grrrr) made far more profit than "The Prestige" - and a lot of critics thought it the better movie, too!

So I think it's less about Rufus pushing himself forward for particular roles, and more about getting his face known generally (and considering his was a cameo role, he sure did that for "The Holiday" promotions), getting his actor mates to put in a word for him (thank you, Kate W!), and for some producers with clout to stand firm and say to the studios "No, Rufus is perfect for this role, not [insert name here]"

Okay, I'll get off my soap-box now!

[maxx02]

No get back up on it.

Problem is that the people making decisions at the studios these days are... well they have no idea what making a picture means. They are exactly what you'd expect from what you see coming out at the cinema--a group of young men in their twenties who know nothing about art. They make pictures to suit their tastes and we get endless fart/excrement/vomit/stupid human trick pictures populated with girls who would never even consider looking at the losers they seem to have a yen for and losers who'd be dead in the real world because they're so stupid.

For Rufus Tristan + Isolde did not fail. He got terrific reviews. Thank you James Franco. If a competent actor has been in the role of Tristan another amazing performance from Rufus would have gone completely unnoticed. As it was, nearly everyone talked about how wonderful he was in a picture that wasn't bad, in fact it's quite good, but it looks bad because of Franco as the choice for Tristan. But then Fox is known for these sorts of blunders, but that's another story.

The bottom line is that until someone in Hollywood wakes up and realizes that they've alienated half the film going audience and they aren't coming back then actors like Rufus who don't look goofy and eat their own vomit for a 15 million dollar paycheck are going to have a difficult time.

I'm still thinking of the idiot who wrote that Rufus was cursed to have been born with the face of a villain when he reviewed the Illusionist. I wondered what drug he was smoking. This was a beautiful picture in which Rufus was completely wasted once again because the people in charge in Hollywood chose based on their preferences and not what is best for the picture. They chose a colorless non-actor when they could have had a gifted one in his place and the film would have sparkled instead of dozed.

[pattirose]

So true Maxx.
I was so mad when I watched the extras on T&I and they said that the studio Fox, I believe, gave them a list of actors they had to choose from for the part of Tristan.
That's why Franco got the role.

[ree]

While I never meant to infer that Rufus has more influence than is reasonable, inarguably he is a man of great charisma. Though I am not knowledgeable about the movie industry I think it only logical that the right roles will ultimately bring him to the attention of the powers that be as a bankable actor.
To do this he must first come to the attention of the general public, who "generally speaking" have their heads up their posteriors.
I would encourage Rufus to use all the considerable charm at his disposal to manipulate himself into those roles that best showcase his talents.

[ukelelehip]

I guess it would also help if Rufus lucked out and got himself a really juicy (big) part in an indie which then goes on to be the cool film of the moment. A film that isn't completely dependent on a major studio so that they'll give him a chance. Also, I wonder how many clients his LA agent represents. Agents are usually very selfish and work hardest for the clients who bring in the most commission. I hope she doesn't rep Brad Pitt!

[frances]

If I can speak to this as a former industry insider with over a decade experience in Horrorwood.... the above-the-line creatives who make movies are always constrained to work within a list of acceptables for lead roles. The strategy being one of simple "bankability." This is a simple, exploitative business, not a commercial art form, no matter what fey protestations are made by lovers of pap.

Investors and/or studios want to feel confident their money will be recovered. Producers want to know their personal shopping will be done and their gauche lifestyle paid for; and directors, that their Walmart manager syndrome will be sated under the guise of some fleeting artistic credibility. Further, in this era of personality porn, audiences choose what they want to see by who's face is on the poster, even more so than the appeal of content. But that's because audiences have become fat slobs who need some ideational exercise, instead of being indulged into thinking their transfat girth is a good thing. Of course, in Hollywood's view it is. The more callow and stupid we are, the more easily we can be manipulated into slopping up the piffle that comes sliding into the trough.

Rufus is in that no-man's land of having artistic credibility but not enough name-recognition. The solution here can only be found not in trying play the crap system against itself, but by thinking wholly outside the box.

If Rufus wants to re-invent his career in a style more becoming to his sensibilities and values, he needs to take control of his own destiny. My advice? He should find a property (ie. a news item, a book, an old film to remake, whatever story source) that he feels passionate about; put together an extremely low-budget (ie. digital) crew willing to defer wages and with a couple weeks to spare; dispense with the formality of production insurance, permits etc and just shoot the thing using available light, locations, set designs and wardrobe (ie. guerilla-style; recalling Bansky's notion that its always easier to gain forgiveness after the fact than it is to get permission before hand) and JUST DO IT. He's seen what directors do. Its not rocket science for an actor to cross that line. It requires only a simple determination to get things done the way you passionately imagine and a willingness to suffer mistakes along the way. In fact, it might become inevitable that the true artists in cinema rise up and demo that the old emperor we serve really has no clothes.

Its also inexpensive these days to set up a Mac-based picture and sound edit suite for one's home office. Take a page from underground DIYs. The finished project could play direct to the web, in multi-format filmfestivals, and /or if he finds a good enough shooter, digital can be transferred to 35mm and still look remarkably good, which would then allow submission to some of the bigger festivals.

Rufus could make a film the way he wants to. Or he could side with a similarly constrained director, someone who has the talent but not the clout to get a feature made. Or put together a collective of artists and production-types who live with the same frustration, but who share the same willingness to come together to make art out of risk and other people's expectation of your failure.

You just have to be willing to take gambles with your career so that you can realize the art that deeply moves you. If you side with the counsel of agents and business bovines, you end up with the partial results that leave everyone wanting for substance and courage.

There's only one reason Hollywood dominates. Like there's only one reason stupidity is the biggest gross national product ever. People think they have no alternative. That the fight is too big, the stakes too high. Dump that posture of mind and you suddenly realize there's nothing stopping anyone from attempting the impossible. And if it doesn't sound crazy, its probably not worth doing.

Should Rufus remain dependent on this era's porcine casting directors, agents and producers, and the masoch directors that serve them, he'll just find time and again that there are too many pigs, not enough teats.

Don't go quietly dear Rufus, get angry and get even.

[ukelelehip]

J*sus, way to inspire, Frances! Damnit, I'd quit my job today and join this collective as a secretary/assistant/what not/who-cares-I'll-make-the-tea.

[frances]

Cool. You're on my list, babe. You'd make an excellent 3rd AD or APC. And since a PA is no less important than the DP in my books (since at any given moment the whole success of the day can rest on _anyone's_ shoulders) we'll let people get their own damn tea.
Fran

[britfan2]

Well said Frances.
Whereas the bankability of an actor is the number one priority in choosing someone for a role, I think there are other factors that influence the decision making process as well. Who you know, being at the right place at the right time & luck also play a part, & you can't downplay the fact that Hollywood thrives on schmoozing.
Many actors have gone into the production side of the business, quite successfully, in order to create work for themselves when nothing fitting has come to them. That would be a terrific option for Rufus. This is one way he could be a more proactive.
As for the public going to see only big names, well I don't know anyone who does. Most follow the word of mouth. If the buzz by the public is good they will go, & I think that is because, who wants to spend $50 to see a movie that is mediocre but has a "big name" in it? (unless you are a real fan of that person) There seems to be a real disconnect between the industry & the public & because of it, theaters & all the other related businesses, are suffering & trying to find creative ways to stay afloat like advertising on their screens & offering specialty foods at the concession stands.
Studios are scratching their heads, while counting every penny that is spent. TV movies are being rehashed into movies that nobody wants to see. Quality has gone out the window for the cost cutters. So we get Baby Geniuses 2 & Garfield 2 & Jackass 1 & 2 adnauseum. There was a time when people waited in lines to see movies....good movies. There are no lines now.
So starting up his own production company is a real option for Rufus. I would love to see him go the maverick route.

I hope I don't sound critical of Rufus. I just like to throw suggestions into the wind & hope that one floats gently into his ear. That's all.

[maxx02]

frances said:

Should Rufus remain dependent on this era's porcine casting directors, agents and producers, and the masoch directors that serve them, he'll just find time and again that there are too many pigs, not enough teats.

Don't go quietly dear Rufus, get angry and get even.

LOL! someone who has an even lower opinion of Hollyweird than I do. HURRAH! Beautifully spat, Francis.