Musings Of An Actor #8

Readers of Einsiders may be interested to get some first-hand insight into what goes on either on set (film) or backstage (theatre). As an actor with twenty years experience-- and an unabashed fan of both stage and screen-- I might be able to offer a perspective that will be of interest. Here’s hoping…

TAKE ONE

There are definitely down times in the career of any actor, when work opportunities are scarce. Every time you are lucky enough to get a job you hope it will break the cycle and be the start of something lucrative, rewarding and exciting.

A short time ago I started a film called MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE, which is another movie for the Lifetime network that was being shot here in Winnipeg. The star was Carey Lowell.

I love making movies. I always get excited when the confirmation comes through that I’ve nabbed a role. Usually it means I’ll be working with people I know professionally and meeting new people as well. It’s almost always a positive experience.

What was exciting about this film was that it was to be directed by Mike Robe, a gentleman who I’ve had the pleasure of working with before on SCARED SILENT (formerly, COMING FORWARD). You may recall me writing about that one.

Mike made it clear at my call-back audition that he wanted to cast me so I felt pretty good about meeting him again. My role turned out to be that of Mr. Mason, the father of a blind boy who becomes a student at a School for the Blind where Carey Lowell plays a teacher, who, in the course of the film, becomes blind herself. This unlikely plot is actually a true story, like many other Lifetime films.

The first day of filming was at Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg, doubling for a hospital in Iowa, where the film is set. Carey Lowell was very unassuming. She is naturally beautiful, very down to earth and exceptionally generous. It was great to work with her.

About midway through the filming day, just before lunch, Carey disappeared for a moment during a set-up. Mike Robe indicated we were ready to shoot and asked ‘where’s Carey?’ Suddenly Carey appeared, announcing ‘I’d like everyone to meet my family!’

We all turned and noticed her husband, who was carrying their three-and-a-half-year-old son, Homer. There, in front of me, maybe two feet away, was Richard Gere.

The scene we were shooting required a lot of background performers, so the hallways were filled with people, mostly women, as well as crew members. Virtually every woman who was there was standing with her mouth open, shocked. I swear you had to watch your step because of the puddles of drool.

Richard Gere is one of the biggest stars in the world. It was rather surreal to find oneself standing beside him. He was smiling, very happy to be there, especially with their son in tow, and when Carey introduced him to Mike, the producer and to the three of us who were acting in the scene with her, he warmly shook hands with each of us and said ‘Hello’. It was as ordinary and pleasant as eating apple pie.

After a few moments of idle chatter, Richard took Homer and went to sit by the holding area while we shot the scene. He hung around for about 15 minutes, waiting for Carey to finish, then they disappeared for lunch.

While this was happening, I actually had my camera in my pocket and couldn’t help thinking how much I would love to take a picture. This is where you must separate the inclination to be a fan from your immediate job at hand. It simply would not have been appropriate to ask for a picture under those circumstances.

However a few days later we had an early wrap party and I was able to have my wife take a picture of Carey and I. Later that week on my last day of shooting, she signed it for me. There is a time and a place for ‘being a fan’. I’m just glad I had an opportunity to work on the film and express my admiration for Carey’s work. She’s still one of the best Bond girls, in my mind. Sexy, smart and able to hold her own against anyone.

Of course Richard Gere will be back again this summer, filming SHALL WE DANCE? with Jennifer Lopez. It remains to be seen whether there will be any casting out of Winnipeg. The unfortunate reality of bigger productions coming here to film is that they do not yet have the confidence in the ability of local performers to do the job. I hope to be proven wrong one of these days!

TAKE TWO

Not long after MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE I had an opportunity to work on another film, this time for Canadian television, called IN THE DARK (though I understand the title on this one may change, too).

I had auditioned for it while doing MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE and was hopeful that I would be cast as the sinister Dr. Ross, who has an interesting scene administering a needle to the protagonist in a flashback scene.

As it turned out, the role of Dr. Ross was given to another actor, considerably older than me. The producer wanted someone elderly for the part, a classic example of looks over talent.

The actor who got the part is well-known in Winnipeg for his considerable ego and self-importance. So be it. Insecurity manifests itself in many ways.

I’ve always thought that a healthy ego is important in this business, but one must never let it spill over to pomposity. It’s self-defeating and unpleasant for others to be around.

As it happened, this actor showed up for his scene and found that the producers had cut his lines. The part was still an ‘actor’ role (referring to the amount of money being paid) but there would be no lines. This did not sit well with The Ego and he refused to do a part that was, in his mind, a ‘glorified extra’. He quit. He simply walked and left the production company in the lurch.

That’s when my telephone rang and the casting director called to see if I would be available NOW to come down and fulfill this role. Fortunately I was. The sinister Dr. Ross (now called Dr. Evans) was no longer a graying specimen of wrinkles but rather a younger, fitter forty-something—namely me.

The beauty (for me) of this scenario is that, having learned from the last time when I was a last minute replacement (see Musing #7 in which I found myself working with Diane Keaton at very short notice), I asked for financial compensation for the ‘inconvenience’ of a late call. I was given ‘principal’ status over ‘actor’ (the difference is simply money—quite a bit).

I arrived in time to be made up and costumed then told that the supper break had commenced. During the meal I went over to the producer, who, with the director, Leonard Farlinger, was VERY glad to see me, and suggested that they might reconsider the lost lines, if only to annoy the pompous actor who had left them high and dry. They did and when it came time to shoot the scene, I had lines!

So—the moral here is, don’t take yourself too seriously! Everyone can be replaced. I was the replacement here and not only did I make more money than the actor I replaced, but I got new dialogue and the satisfaction of coming in at the last minute and doing a good job.

There are constant surprises in this profession. Now if only the work was a little more steady!

TAKE THREE

Every actor becomes an actor because there are some actors that inspire them. Gregory Peck was near the top of my list of actors most admired.

In 1996, the local newspaper trumpeted the notice that Gregory Peck was going to be appearing at Winnipeg’s Centennial Concert Hall for one of his ‘Conversation’ evenings.

‘A Conversation With Gregory Peck’ is a format that Peck gleaned from Cary Grant, who in his last years put together a program of film clips, anecdotes, stories and Q & A with audiences that proved very successful.

The date for Gregory Peck’s conversation in Winnipeg was September 5^th, 1996, my fourth wedding anniversary. Knowing that my wife has always considered Mr. Peck to be possibly the best-looking leading man of all time, I knew she would not balk at my suggestion to celebrate our anniversary in the presence of this great star whom we both admired.

We didn’t mind shelling out the big bucks to secure fifth row centre seats which, as it turned out, were situated directly behind Veronique Peck in row four! The view could not have been better.

As we donned our best apparel and prepared for the special evening I suggested to my wife that we each bring along one of our favourite Gregory Peck videos in the hope that somehow we might get him to sign them afterwards. She chose ROMAN HOLIDAY and I chose TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

As we entered the packed Concert Hall I noticed an acquaintance of mine, a concert promoter, standing nearby. We went up to say hello and he informed us that Mr. Peck had a habit of inviting people who asked particularly interesting questions to come backstage after the show. My eyes lit up as I thought this would surely prove to be the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have our videos signed.

The program began with a half-hour series of film clips that reminded us of Gregory Peck’s illustrious career and his range, brilliance and longevity as a Hollywood star. When the screen at last went blank and he appeared live on stage, literally a few feet away, the hall erupted in thunderous applause. His presence brought tears to my eyes.

The Gregory Peck baritone velvet voice was older but still strong. He had moments of unsteadiness on his feet but seemed marvelously energetic for an 80-year-old man. His stories were compelling and collectively, the audience felt we knew this great personality as we know an old friend.

Finally the Q & A began. I couldn’t believe the inanity of some of the questions! Of course to actually have Gregory Peck gesture to you that it was your turn to speak proved to be somewhat intimidating, though I couldn’t help but think people should’ve had something a little more interesting to say. The ‘gushers’ were particularly annoying. We all could’ve sang his praises but all it did when people went on and on about how wonderful they thought Gregory Peck was and what he meant to them, was create an awkwardness and a feeling that precious time was being wasted. Ask a decent question, for crying out loud! You don’t get to talk to Gregory Peck every day!

Then it was my turn. I told Gregory Peck that I couldn’t imagine a nicer way to spend my anniversary with my wife—at least in public. That got a big laugh. Then I asked him why he had never ventured into playing Shakespeare—and, before he had a chance to answer— segued into a query about his friendship with the great Canadian actor Raymond Massey. Meaty questions, by gum!

In fact, some weeks later, a journalist who had been at the show commented to me that my questions were the most intelligent asked all evening!

But I was terribly disappointed when, after his considered and detailed responses to my questions, he did not invite me backstage. Surely he forgot! Nonetheless, at the conclusion of the program, I was determined to squeeze behind the scenes and meet Gregory Peck face to face.

My wife and I hurried to the exit but even in our haste we could not get anywhere near the backstage entranceway. It was jammed with uninvited people, cramming their way into what would have been a sea of confusion, affording no opportunity other than a brief closer look at Gregory Peck. Their behaviour struck me as crass, greedy and insensitive. I wanted nothing to do with it.

Admitting defeat, my wife and I started to leave.

Then it occurred to me. ‘He’s going to have to leave sometime!’ And where do artists enter and exit the building? The stage door!

I took my wife’s arm and hustled to the back of the Concert Hall. It was a beautiful evening and when we saw the limousine pull up, we knew we could wait all night and not be disappointed.

Only a handful of other folks had the same idea. About twenty of us in total waited patiently until the stage door opened and Gregory Peck and his small entourage emerged. It was spellbinding.

There were a few security men in place to create a pathway from the stage door to the limo. We waited with bated breath, wondering if our octogenarian (and recently ill) actor might pause to speak with us.

Gregory Peck went up to the open door of his limousine and carefully placed his notes and other belongings on the roof of the vehicle. He looked tired. Then he slowly turned around and looked at us all. There were about twenty people all together, maybe six on one side of the car and the rest of us on the other. He walked over to the smaller group and, slowly taking his time, chatted with each person, signing whatever they offered, and making them feel welcome.

Our turn came next. He slowly approached us with a friendly smile on his handsome face and worked his way down our line. His handshake was strong and firm. His eyes were friendly but steely. His bearing was noble and erect. He had an aura that you could almost touch. He was the walking definition of ‘class’.

We spoke to him and he to us. I asked him to sign my wife’s tape, then mine. He did. His curious scrawl looks more like ‘George Dork’ than ‘Gregory Peck’, but I can assure you, it is his authentic signature.

His gentlemanly presence, towering height and immensely good-looking features—even at 80—caused my young wife to remark how handsome he was. I was not in the least bit offended by this. I agreed with her.

After Gregory Peck drove off into the night we strolled, very self-contented, over to a nearby coffee shop. A few others who had been at the show noticed our autographed videos and came over to look and comment. Now was the time for gushing. Though complete strangers we all couldn’t help saying how much Gregory Peck meant to us and how much we admired him.

We have lost one of the firmament’s brightest stars.

While Gregory Peck’s films are the legacy by which he will always be remembered, the warmest satisfaction I have when I remember Gregory Peck is the comment he made to a fan during the Conversation evening, when he was asked if he had a ‘belief system’ that he tried to live by. Having already discussed how he had made an audio recording of the complete New Testament in the Bible, Gregory Peck responded ‘I’m a believer’.

There is no question that Gregory Peck is resting in peace.

Thank you, dear, wonderful, inspiring, gentlemanly and decent Gregory Peck. You’ve given all of us numerous timeless performances in some of the finest films ever made. You also gave me one of the most beautiful evenings of my life.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, that a wrap on Gregory Peck’.

Jon Ted Wynne