If I wrote a film or something I would be tempted to try to appear in the background, in a non speaking part. But I'd probably manage even to mess that up and stand out like a sore thumb.
I've seen it happen! Some twat in the background ruining the entire scene.
Tom Cruise isn't in the back ground, he's just small.
Quote: Griff @ July 4 2009, 8:32 PM BSTYou seem to be taking this very personally Dolly, as usual.
Ouch!
Aren't you going on personal experience too?
I was trying to say that it's hard to say who is qualified and who isn't. I recently had something I wrote not turn out as well as it could have done because one of the cast wasn't suitable. With hindsight I could have done the role better, but not being 'trained' as such, I didn't/ wouldn't have put myself forward.
Another reason why more writers don't write parts for themselves, is that they don't want to. I assume many see themselves as writers and have no real wish to actually act.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 4 2009, 8:48 PM BSTAnother reason why more writers don't write parts for themselves, is that they don't want to. I assume many see themselves as writers and have no real wish to actually act.
Exactly. Most are more than happy getting their writing on telly, rather than their face!
Like I've said before though, a writer may very well write a part hoping that they themselves will get the chance to play it, but more or less any producer, unless the writer has a performance background, would probably say no and suggest they consider 'proper' actors. Which makes sense.
But I would say that 'actor' includes stand-ups, etc. Look at Issy Suttie, Ricky Gervais, Seinfeld, Larry David, Steven Merchant, Jack Dee, etc, etc. I don't think any of them were at the RSC. 
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ July 4 2009, 8:54 PM BSTBut I would say that 'actor' includes stand-ups, etc. Look at Issy Suttie, Ricky Gervais, Seinfeld, Larry David, Steven Merchant, Jack Dee, etc, etc. I don't think any of them were at the RSC.
Yeah, that's what I mean by a performance background; if you have something like that then they probably will be open to considering you.
Quote: zooo @ July 4 2009, 8:17 PM BSTI've seen it happen! Some twat in the background ruining the entire scene.
You called, ma'am? 
Haha.
Maybe if we all got together to be in the background of the same scene we could create some sort of anti-awesome screen gold.
Mr Dagger is like that when I've had to use him in comedy stuff. He's an incrediably confident out-going person in real life, stick a camera in front of him and ask him to act - even at the most basic level - and he might as well be a farmhouse chair.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ July 4 2009, 9:22 PM BSTstick a camera in front of him and ask him to act and he might as well be a farmhouse chair.
Then write more sketches that involve farmhouse chairs.
My dad was taking photos of the garden and we found an old plastic crocodile in a bush (don't ask), he thrust it at me and said 'pose with this and look scared! It'll be funny.'
I couldn't do even that. Am just incapable.
I'd have paid to see you and fake croc, Zooo. I have a photo of me punching a dinosaur. Even the dinosaur looks embarrassed at my pathetic machismo.
Griff, what about actors who've acted a lot... but terribly? I can get phone numbers if you need them. 
Hey Griff that's fine and I understand what you are saying from your experience - but please don't say I'm taking things personally 'as usual'!
But for the record Jack Dee has also acted in The Grimleys and the show with Jeremy Hardy and Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphey,etc are example of character actors who aren't 'trained'. Lee Evans is another. Jo Brand too. Oh and Billy Connolly.
To me it's a bit like saying you can only write if you have a degree in English or Creative Writing.
But maybe it's becauee I'm referring to film and TV and you're referring to theatre.