Cadillac Festival Insider spotted celebrated Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan at Bell Lightbox a few times this week as he was just quietly taking in films. We asked Egoyan one day, “Do you enjoy TIFF better when you have a film in the Festival or not?” Egoyan quickly replied, “without a doubt, NOT.”
Seeing this veteran actor’s name expected at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival reminded the Festival Insider of a story heard last year during TIFF when the actor was attending.
At the press conference for their film last year (a press conference the actor was expected to attend, but at the last minute decided they would rather just quietly walk around the Kensington Market area of Toronto.) The director praised the actor’s work in the film and couldn’t believe he got this actor in the first place. The director in the press conference went on to describe the “unique” process it was to cast this actor.
The actor never auditions nor takes any meetings (or even phone calls) before accepting a role. This person has no agency representation. Actually, no agents, managers, or publicists. Just a single lawyer for over 30 years.
If the actor agrees to hear your pitch the lawyer forwards a 1-800 number. You call and leave a message describing your story. If the actor likes what they hear. The screenplay is forwarded through the lawyer. No phone calls. no meetings.
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