CAST & TALENT

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery! How would you take on the task of extending a role created by another?

#dyinghollywood
#actor

['The Pitt' is telling actors to take it or leave it…

Max's upcoming hospital drama ‘The Pitt’ is causing a stir in Hollywood—and not just because of that lawsuit claiming it copied ER.

The scoop: Usually, when actors join a big streaming show, their agents typically spend weeks haggling over every dollar of their client's paycheck. But ‘The Pitt’ is trying something different: except for Noah Wyle, who stars and executive produces, the show's regular cast members get fixed salaries of either $50K or $35K per episode—no negotiation allowed.

Why it matters: With 15 episodes and 10 regular cast members who need to be on set daily, 'The Pitt' is bigger than most streaming shows—making predictable costs crucial. At a time when TV networks are tightening belts (goodbye, 'Friends'-style million-dollar paydays), this fixed-fee approach:
• Makes casting faster
• Keeps budgets predictable
• Works well for large casts

Looking ahead: While this isn't industry standard (yet), ‘The Pitt’ could be the template for future "reasonably priced" streaming dramas. HBO/Max boss Casey Bloys is already pointing to it as the model for Max's drama strategy. Other shows testing fixed fees for guest stars:
• ‘Accused’ (Fox): $150K per lead guest
• ‘Elsbeth’ (CBS): $100K for special guests
• ‘Poker Face’ (Peacock): $75K (down from $150K in Season 1)

The bigger picture: This is part of TV's post-peak reality check. While top stars can still command big bucks, supporting players are facing a new normal. With fewer series-regular roles available and budgets shrinking, fixed-fee models might be the future of TV casting—whether actors like it or not.] ~ The Dailies

One must tip a hat to anyone who expresses themselves so articulately!

Sure, they can afford the best trainers and equipment, but don't say they don't work hard to succeed!

Did you know James Cagney slapped Doris Day for real in "Love Me or Leave Me" (1955)? He didn’t tell her in advance to capture a genuine reaction, and it worked as audiences gasped at her surprise and the shocking scene it created.

Was it all just a publicity stunt? A Time Magazine photographer happened to be on set, and those photos quickly made their way into the magazine.

High praise!

Marilyn Monroe gave Hollywood the finger and moved to New York to concentrate on her craft. There is an interesting story behind this photo, taken in Central Park. This remarkable photo of MM was taken by Life photographer Sam Shaw. Sam asked her to show him some improvised acting and she took his news paper and sat down at the bench and pretended to read. The young couple next to her were so engrossed in their conversation they did not notice her. Later, MM said the man was trying to convince the woman to marry him and she said she would, as long as he gave up his bookie ways!

Faye Dunaway has said that "Network" (1976) was "the only film I ever did that you didn't touch the script because it was almost as if it were written in verse." She was as happy with director Sidney Lumet as with the writing, describing him as "one of, if not the, most talented and professional men in the world. In the rehearsals, two weeks before shooting, he blocks his scenes with his cameraman. Not a minute is wasted while he's shooting and that shows not only on the studio's budget but on the impetus of performance."

Writer Paddy Chayefsky and Lumet made it clear to Dunaway that they wanted a cold-blooded, soulless characterization with no sympathetic shadings. "I know the first thing you're going to ask me", Lumet told her. "Where's her vulnerability? Don't ask it. She has none. If you try to sneak it in, I'll get rid of it in the editing room, so it'll be a wasted effort." Dunaway's then-husband Peter Wolf warned her that she could risk typecasting in such a role, but Dunaway plunged ahead fearlessly.

In researching her role as the rare female in the mostly male world of television executives, Dunaway met with NBC daytime programming Vice President Lin Bolen. Bolen noted later that while she could see something of herself in Dunaway's mannerisms and speech patterns, she disavowed any further connection to the character, and was appalled by her lack of moral standards.

Dunaway on winning the Best Actress Oscar for "Network": "I will never forget the moment, and the feeling, when I heard my name. It was, without question, one of the most wonderful nights of my life. The Oscar represented the epitome of what I had struggled for and dreamt about since I was a child. The emotional rush of getting this accolade, the highest one this industry can award you, just hit me like a bomb. It was the symbol of everything I ever thought I wanted as an actress."

Great roundtable:

Brian Cox, Michael Keaton, Oscar Isaac, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, and Quincy Isaiah joined the THR Roundtable

Does Dennis have the Xmas spirit, or not?
Watch to the end:

Serious issues still:

Justine Bateman describes her perspective against ratification of the agreement put to a vote by the SAG-AFTER membership.

Thanks to Art Hindle and especially Kathe Mazur for this one!

This behavior by the AMPTP is appauling... watch:

Thee months ago today, Fran Drescher made this impassioned speech declaring the SAG-AFTRA member's vote to strike against the Producers (their employers). Every word she said then remains true and even though the AMPTP has agreed to terms with the Writer's Union (WGA), they, as if planned, continue to play these strong armed games with the very people who are the basis of every product they sell.

The result if which is placing the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands at risk in every field that actually creates the products they make their mega millions from. And three months later, little has changed end no agreement is in sight!

Did you know? Jodie Foster Has Never Spoken To Anthony Hopkins!

Found this terrific primer on film acting by Michael Caine 📽️:

"The theatre is an operation with the scalpel, I think movie acting is an operation with the laser." Michael Caine teaches in this documentary the art of movie acting to five young actors, who perform scenes from "Alfie", "Deathtrap" and "Educating Rita". He talks about how to perform in close-ups and extreme close-ups. He warns about the continuity dangers of smoking cigarettes or fiddling with props. He talks about screen tests, special effects, men who are cavalier about your safety and speaking to someone who is off camera. "The movie camera is your best friend and most attentive lover," he says, "even though you invariably ignore her." (BBC 1987)

"Student" actors as seated from left to right: 1. Simon Cutter (e.g: Troilus & Cressida, The Wedding Party) 2. Ian Redford (e.g: Grange Hill, Coronation Street, Casualty) 3. Celia Imrie (e.g: Victoria Wood, Mama Mia, Exotic Marigold Hotel) 4. Mark Jefferis (e.g: Spitting Image, The Muppets) 5. Shirin Taylor (e.g: Coronation Street, Doctor Who) .

See also Michael Caine's Book on Acting: "Acting in Film: An Actor's Take on Movie Making" (Applause Theatre Book Publishers / 1. April 1990)

SAG's founders!

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