Actor-Director Kevin Costner Compliments Dean On
His Work In:
'Open Range'
"As a director this is the greatest thing that can happen. A
guy comes in and suddenly handles the part, and when that happens you kind of almost take this big sigh, this big relief like
Oh that's settled. You know and its a very comforting thing when an actor comes in and takes control over his own
destiny and suddenly has the part." - Actor Kevin Costner-
on Dean McDermott's being an experienced, professional actor in 'Open
Range'.
Okay, it was a dull, rainy evening here so I decided to go out and rent a DVD.
Well, not much for new releases were up for grabs, that won't happen until about mid-July. So I ventured on to the new
DVD section and sticking out right in front of my was the 'Open Range' DVD. I had rented it earlier
in the year when it was released on DVD but didnt get the chance to see the special features because they, to put it quite
simply, don't include them in the rental. I really did like the movie and decided to by a copy.
After coming home I decided to make some Rice Krispy treats for the horde of teenagers I constantly
have here, put in the bonus DVD, plopped on the sofa with treats in one hand and remote in the other and proceeded to watch.
In the process of watching the DVD I came upon something that Kevin Costner says about Dean that
is just so wonderful.
Theres nothing better than to get a compliment from the likes of actor Kevin Costner, who has,
in his own rights, earned his stars when it comes to making movies like 'Dances With Wolves' (one of my personal favorites), 'Field of Dreams',
'The Body Guard' and many more. But when Kevin Costner was making the film 'Open Range'
he documented everything from preproduction, setting up scenes, fighting the weather and battling budget woes. All in all,
this DVD is choc full of interesting bonuses that feature the many issues that come up when creating any theatrical or even
television production. Need I say this is only a drop in the bucket of what really goes on when working in the industry of
entertainment.
This documentary can be seen in the Special Features section or second DVD when you purchase the 'Open
Range' DVD. This part of the documentary is featured in the Beyond 'Open Range' section of the disc
under the Production Challenges chapter.
During this documentary Kevin talks about going through the casting process and when it came to casting Dean
for the part of Doc Barlow in the film. He couldnt have given Dean a more truer compliment about Dean
and his work. Ive seen Dean working through viewing dailies of the television show Tracker and the made for T.V. movie 'Rough
Air'. The man is a consummate professional, right on the mark when it comes to his craft. Just an amazing actor.
Okay, Ill quit rambling on here and just let you read what Kevin has to say about Dean. Pretty much says
it all!
Costner and others are seen going through the casting tapes of the actors vying for parts in the movie
'Open Range'. We see Costner sitting at the table and asks for the video of Dean doing the casting call of Doc
Barlow.
Costner: Alright, Dean McDermott
This was Dean who ended up playing ah Annettes brother and um, he ah did a really interesting thing. He did
that actor thing and when I say that actor thing, most actors dont know how to do it. He came in, he had a point of view,
and he really won the part. He came in with a limp, and um the part didnt call for it and it was really effective.
Cut to where they are viewing the video of Dean:
Mindy Marin: I like him!
Kevin Costner: I like him, too!
Kevin Costner: "Mindy Marin, ah who has really assisted me over the years, you know we
both sensed it when we saw Dean and it was also great because he was a Canadian actor and theres an obligation when you work
in Canada to use Canadian actors and they have really a lot of great actors up there. As a director this is the greatest thing
that can happen, a guy comes in and suddenly handles the part, and when that happens you kind of almost take this big sigh,
this big relief like Ohthats settled., you know and its a very comforting thing when an actor comes in and takes control
over his own destiny and suddenly has the part."
Cut to Dean working on set in Doc Barlows office: "Id say 'to good health', gentlemen then
Id probably be out of business now wouldnt I?"
You can see more of this interesting documentary by purchasing the 'Open Range' DVD either
through your local video store or on line by going to either amazon.com or amazon.ca .-Mary-
'Open Range' copywrite 2003 Buenavista Home Entertainment, Inc.
