Note from Bill: This is an older blog post that I wrote several years ago. I thought it was lost when my computer crashed, but I recently found it and wanted to repost it again, because I think it’s fun and it gives some more information to the series. If you’ve already seen it, sorry! If you haven’t, enjoy!
In Hollywood, looks are everything.
How thin you are, how good looking you are, how unique you are.
It’s all about the outside.
The facade.
While I bemoan the fact that it’s so superficial, I also applaud the fact that there are so many different and individual actors out there.
Why?
Because they are the folks who star in my movie.
Well, okay, they actually star in my novel.
When starting on a new book, one of the first things I do is cast the movie. I usually have a pretty high level view of who the character is, and what they look like, but I like to play around with Google’s image search and narrow it down to one or two actors. Once I get the actor, I then have to find just the right picture of that actor to really nail the part down in my mind.
After a quick click, the picture is sent to my color printer and then put in the appropriate three ring binder for that book.
Yes, I have a binder for each book. Twelve books = twelve binders. Office Depot loves me.
I thought that it would be fun to share with you those photos that I used for the first book, “Resurrection Angel”.
Now be warned, if you want to keep Denton and Monty and the rest in your mind the way you see them, then go no further. But if you want a peek in to my brain and how I view my characters, then let’s go:
The Cast of “Resurrection Angel”
Denton Ward: Halfway through writing Resurrection Angel, Denton became Val Kilmer. When I first created the character, he was based on a young Sting, and after ol’ Gordon got a bit long in the tooth, I went for Guy Pearce. I’m thinking “Memento” era Pearce combined with “L.A. Confidential” Pearce would do a hell of a good job. I reserve the right to go back and forth on this one.
Montgomery Crocetti: There has only been one actress that I would even consider to have the attitude, looks and depth to play my Monty, and that’s Lori Petty. “Point Break” era Petty is Monty Crocetti. I even went so far as to find her address and mail her a copy of the book. Hey – you never know. It could happen. Petty has been Monty since day one. Her inspiration to me has been invaluable.
Amy Hughes (The Momma): This one was pretty easy, too. Mo’Nique has the sass and the attitude, and frankly, the size to play the big beautiful woman who answers Denton and Monty’s phone and has an affinity for bingo. As we will see in the third book, “Spear of Destiny”, the role of the Momma needs to be brought to life by an actress who can be humorous, but also have great depth and strength.
Nicholas Shanley: Part lawyer, part confidant, part mentor, Nicholas Shanley also has to walk the fine line between comedic relief and touching compassion. This is the only character whom I based physically on a real person, so I had to kind of fudge this one. Normally Robin Williams annoys the shit out of me unless he’s doing a darker, serious role. Like in “Good Will Hunting”. I still think it works.
Dr. Michael Robbins: If there is anything that I have learned by reading and writing mysteries, it’s that there are no pure villains, and no pure heroes. The days of white hats and black hats are gone. And I think that Michael Robbins is a great example of that. I love this photo of Chad Everett. The suspenders, tie and perfect hair nail the character perfectly.
Diana Hunt-Robbins: Brittle, acidic, drunk, shrewish, Diana Hunt-Robbins would be an understated tour-de-force for Sharon Stone. I think she could really show the same depth and tragedy that she had in “Casino”. We need to see why Michael Robbins became the man that he did, and you need an even stronger woman to show that.
Lisa Rappaport: Man, if you’ve read the book, you saw this one coming a mile away. The fact that Reggie is watching Silverstone in “Clueless” on his VCR is not a coincidence. Lisa’s based on a younger Silverstone, one with the innocence and vulnerability that is necessary to have the audience root for her and want her to me safe and protected by Denton and Monty.
Reggie: I love the late Michael Jeter. I think I first saw him in the Burt Reynolds show “Evening Shade” and I just thought he was a hoot. Reggie, our janitor, is also a tormented character. Jeter could show laughter, could show anger, could show sadness with just a twinkle in his eye and a twitch of his mustache. It’s a great shame that he’s gone. He would have been perfect for this small, but pivotal role.
As you can see, selecting just the right actor, just the right photo to illustrate your characters can be immensely helpful in your writing. Looking at the photo, looking into the actor’s eyes, can reveal layers upon layers, even to the most superficial and small role.
I hope that you’ll have fun with this. As I mentioned, google image search is your friend. Start searching, start looking, be visual.
Cast the movie that’s going on inside your head; your characters will thank you.
