FROM THE DIRECTOR'S CHAIR NOTES ON FIRST TABLE READ AND REHEARSAL By jjmc There is possibly nothing more exciting than that first moment when the majority of the cast and crew get together and, collectively, explore a given work. As a Writer, one gets to hear his words out loud for the first time, and see his characters given flesh. As a Director, the brain immediately starts spinning wildly, as you compare the actors to the created storyboards, and begin to see, in real time, that which has existed solely in your head for so long. Thus was the case for the first table read and staging rehearsal for JACOB. Taking place at the home of BLACKAngel Films, on 34th Street in Manhattan, directly during the aftermath of Hurricane and then Superstorm Sandy, it could be said that it was a struck of magic that the meeting and rehearsal even took place. The rehearsal began with some photo shoots, notably with Kris as Jacob, and Samuel as the Ideal, but also of Randy as Despair, a very secretive character, you won't be hearing too much about. Over 100 photos were taken, many of which will be transformed into character portraits and publicity one sheets.

The actors decided to stay in 'costume' for the table read and the staging rehearsal, which I think added to the exploration of their characters. For Kris, it most definitely added to the vulnerability that his character feels throughout the film. For Samuel, I think the leather armor added in his portrayal as the Ideal as well.

Randy, for his part, returned to his plain clothes look and put on his Composer hat, as he is doubling as an actor as well as the composer of the film's score. He joined Darrell and myself on the sidelines while we set up the sequences and asked the boys, as we call them, to play, to find their characters, and to explore nuance, and expression.

It is always interesting watching actors the first time they encounter their co-stars. It is a meeting of the crafts, as they say. In this experience, Kris and Samuel come from two completely different worlds. Kris comes from a basis in the theatrical world. In fact, I first met him in a theatrical production i directed of Titus Andronicus. Since then, Kris has expanded his resume to include award-winning performances in the independent film circuit. Samuel comes from a very different world, one that is solely based on celluloid. He also has extensive background in the gay men's Leather Community, which adds perfectly to his portrayal of the Ideal. The question was, how would these two individuals connect? And if they, hopefully did, would there be enough chemistry between them to carry a film of this nature? Thankfully, the connection was apparent as soon as we started taking the duo photos. There were some amazing photographic moments captured between them. The connection was there, but was it electrifying enough? That had to come down to the staging rehearsal, where they were forced to interact, in character, together. To my surprise, there were several moments during the rehearsal, some of which were captured on camera, where, indeed, the room was electrified by the energy between the two actors. As a Director, I could breathe a sigh of relief. The differences in their personalities and background really transferred into the sequences and their characters, and the result was astonishing in many moments. Of course, both are still finding their characters, learning Russian, lol, and getting their scripts out of hand, but they are well on the way to success. Without giving away spoilers, I will say that those who see the completed film will be pleasantly surprised at what all involved in JACOB have managed to accomplish. A mature, very intellectual, yet sensually erotic, modern-day Greek Tragedy that grabs you and doesn't let you go, where the actors all push beyond their own limitations into uncharted physical and emotional depths. And as a Writer/Director, I wouldn't have it any other way, and I am very honored and pleased of them all. Until next time. Peace