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Post Table Read

Last night was probably one of the most surreal nights of my life. Ten actors gathered around a table sardine style to read my screenplay out loud and on camera. The incredible efforts they put in to bring it to life are more than I could have hoped for in this lifetime. I just wish I had been there to experience it. I was physically there, but I was also playing director and stage manager so my writer’s brain was caught up in reading the text on the page as they spoke rather than “listening” to the story.

If you’re planning on table read of your own work, I would suggest you hire a friend to handle the mundane details of hosting and getting every one focused and ready to shoot. It’s essential to hear your story without being on book, or worrying about whether the food you made is getting cold, as I was. Luckily, I had a great camera department and we knocked off some great close ups and great sound too. I’ll be able to listen to the story again in the near future.

Physically I was located away from the actors enough so that couldn’t see me write anything down, but I was within ear shot. I have no bearing on whether that made them happy or nervous. I would think they’d NOT want to see me scratching notes down on the script as they spoke.

Overall, I’m really pleased with how everything played out. I did cast the script well, making me wonder if I someday I might want to direct…but doesn’t everybody want to direct?

I think the perfect cap note to the evening was when the actors requested to keep their scripts and had me sign them. I signed them like I was writing a check without thinking about the fact that they were asking for an autograph. Later as it sunk in, the requests made me feel very special.

If you’re in the Dallas area, and you need some great talent, I now have a thick file of actors you will want to work with.

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On a more personal note, I found it difficult to get through this night of excitement with the heavy thoughts of two people in the entertainment industry who thought the universe would fair better without them. They will never know how much I cared for them, but their parents might. To the Koenig and Osmond families, you have my deepest sympathies for the loss of your sons. I do have a dose of experience with what you’re going through and no words will ever be able to describe or acknowledge the grief you’re going through. Only know that those who cared for them outside of your circle of family and friends are thinking good thoughts for you during this crisis.