I was wondering if anyone had any quirly/funny anecdotes from working with actors who also have experience (or aspirations) as directors/producers and feel compelled to butt in on the set?

I was casting for a short film that paid union rates, and one actor who was directing/producing a feature at the time asked to audition. But before he committed, he mentioned his experience (on what seems like a vanity project) and asked, as a condition, to know about the project's budget, the marketing strategy, the distributor attached, the shot list, who the DOP was, etc.

Needless to say, he got a "Thanks, we'll let you know" reply. It's not just a matter of being protective of my project, but I can't imagine anything worse than an actor on set who feels that he's entitled to second-guess the director/producer - especially since he's getting paid to act!

Any similar experiences out there?


J.

This can happen all the way up the line--once had to suffer through working with a particular well-known actor who had directed an Oscar winning feature (best director, best picture) and felt that gave him the right to tell everyone else how to do their jobs. The next time I was asked to work with him, I turned the job down.

I had one actress/producer who said I should expect to spend $25 000 on catering for a micro budget feature.
At the end of the producer interview she gave me her headshot.


Another one said they had switched from acting to producing because they found the
former "too much work."