Hey all. I'm hosting a table read in a few weeks and I want to get feedback from actors on our screenplay. For those who have been cast for a table read: What was the best question you've been asked? Was there anything you wished you had been asked that would have helped you perform better or improve dialogue?
Acting : What's the best question you've ever been asked at a Table Read? by Samantha Mauney Aiken
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Disclaimer - I'm writing in as a producer and former studio exec, not as an actor. First, personally, I don't think Table Reads are generally very good development tools. But if I had to ask actors about the script in an effort to develop it further, I'd ask - 1) To the actors playing characters who change over the narrative, could you clearly track your character's progression/regression in every single scene, from one scene to the next? If not, why not? 2) To the actors playing characters who do NOT change over the narrative: we designed your character to be a constant and not to change. Did you buy into that? Or did you feel like the character had undergone a change, which deserves to be reflected in the scripts? Did we miss an opportunity with the character? (You will have to decide whether you want to give up valuable real estate in your script to service the character progression of a secondary character. It may not be worth it, and it may detract from the core stories you are already servicing.)
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I wish there was a way to tag the screenwriting lounge to this conversation! These are great questions for character depth and development.
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Like I said, I personally find that typically, table reads are not great development tools, particularly for early development. The table read experience is rare for most people (obviously not for TV casts who have a table read every episode). Thus, attendees are often so excited and happy to be at a table read, and they can lose the ability to see things clearly because the joy skews your perspective. The "rose-colored glasses" effect can really take over. But that's just me.
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Anne- I have a similar question posted in the screenwriting lounge. I've gotten better responses here :) Regina- Thanks for your input. I'm going to have to be careful about priming the actors before hand, letting them know that they there to give feedback and make sure they have something to take notes with.
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I was used to doing table reads in the late 80s when computers were MSDOS Space Age Plastic Filing cabinets. There are pros and cons as both @Anne n @Regina pointed out. A table read can bring an unplanned surge of energy from a "character" that surpasses anything previously written on the page, causing a "switch" to the actual script. Characters become alive in real time, as opposed to Skype/Digital/Computer encounters . Personally I enjoyed them. On the other hand, particularly with studios, time is money. As@Regina points out, "Rose Tinted" episodes, may not serve a useful purpose, and waste time and resources, and may not even be allowed in the workplace anyway. My last table read (last month) was in the Spanish Foothills and I asked the two leading characters "How do you really feel about Alehandra/Antonio"?". I was surprised, because one of them was genuinely spitting in anger.....Lol .....a more visceral response in a face to face table read, than homogenised regulations or restrictions.
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Adding to what I put above, I personally think there should be more table reads. Particularly "Indie" where studio guidelines do not stump personal creativity. A film script is not laid in stone, it's flexible with limitless possibilities, it's a collaboration with all concerned. Get people round the table. Ask them what they think and feel. Mine the possibilities for growth. You can always stick with the script in hand if no growth occurs, which rarely happens. Quote "A director is not someone who gets what he wants......but allows the material to yield all it can." Guillermo Del Toro.
Regarding table reads as key development tools -- I should also add that I tend to trust the core development team's development skills more than I would trust the development skills of work-for-hire actors brought in for a day to perform a table read. Actors are key for acting. The development team is key for development. But like all things, every situation is different.
I agree with above statement, the Development team is KEY to development. However Indie film is not laid in stone and there are numerous examples of Shoot.....Make it to screen ....With no Catalyst.