MEETING VAN GOGH
- CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
·
Lead Principals:
RUFUS HOCKENBERRY - 36, mixed mongrel American, rough-edged
disguising sensitivity - antic but contemplative - tough but
tender - non-violent -- self-deprecating yet dignified -- a
complex man driven by his passion to paint and his need to love --
needs the success he finds contemptible -- a man of honor in a
world where dishonor rules...
CINDY MU - 35, first generation Chinese-American, a late child,
she is both the aspiring actress and the dutiful daughter, torn
between two worlds -- wanting success with honor and wanting love
as well, but seeing the two as pulling her on two separate roads
-- she is funny, alive, is skeptical of love -- she is both
outgoing and restrained by fits and starts...
·
Principals:
TIFFANY TRUANG - 26, French-Vietnamese, innocent sophisticate,
Paris educated, oddball, bisexual, lively, handsome, sweetly
emotional...
LILY, 19, half-Mexican, half-German, lost sweet innocent addicted
to crack, oddly pure despite her degradation...
LEO - 28, squat tough little guy who wants to do the right thing
but can't -- fights his addiction to crack, then gives in - knows
he's wasting his life -- knows he's out of control -- is all fear
inside which he tries to cover with a tough veneer...
HENRY HOLLINS - 60's but ageless black street musician,
intelligent, soulful, wise...
·
Supporting:
DAN FREEMONT - 39, long-blond ponytail, projects surfer as well
as suave successful artist, self-aware, cynical, genuinely admires
Rufus, wants to reconnect with his original artistic idealism...
NORA NELSON - 34, stunning tall elegant British-Ethiopian mix,
sophisticated but sympatico...
MR. MU, 86, small, slender old gentleman, slightly old-school,
but with sense of humor about death and life, wants to see
grandchildren...
MRS. MU 74, still handsome, looks 15 years younger, wise
patient woman...
·
Speaking :
HANK HALSTROM - 54, brilliant, witty, gay actor -- can play
straight his frivolity somehow is not frivolous...
CARLOS - 34, second generation Mexicano, loyal buddy, free
spirit, jovial, big warm guy, smarter than he projects...
JAY JENKINS, 42, polished theatrical agent, genuinely believes in
Cindy's talent...
RAY NAGUCHI 40, Sansei theater director, hardworking,
good-looking, an appropriate match for Cindy...
LOLITA, 29, petit charming Filipina nurse...
MR. LEE, 57, first generation Chinese good-guy landlord...
JOYCE HAVELINS 47, overworked social worker who doesn't quite get
Rufus, but genuinely cares...
SARAH 39, mourning mother who yearns for Rufus, good-hearted,
drunken, lost...
GLORIA STEELE, 42, looks both younger and older, high-powered,
successful film studio executive, Dan Fremont's friend and patron
and sometimes lover...
PABLO 6, Salvadorian street kid...
ROSA 5, sister to Pablo...
·
Speaking Off
Screen:
MRS. SAMPSON voice only - 48, domineering but
fair-minded, tough but wistful...
SOPHIE KIESLOWSKI --- voice & model for picture only --
28, lovely
bi-sexual first love of Rufus, his muse and inspiration -- must
convey great wise love...
·
Walk-ons speaking:
MOTHER 32 and her DAUGHTER 6, a very good-looking pair, Rufus
does a quick sketch of them on the boardwalk...
OLD WOMAN IN WHEELCHAIR, late 60's, Rufus rescues from street,
slightly crazed...
PALETA MAN (NEW), 20's, reports death of Old Nelson...
JORGE - 30, second generation Mexicano, friend of Carlos..
EXTRA'S FOR ART OPENING from elegant sophisticates to pretenders,
all ages, poor and rich elite intermingle...
·
Walk-ons
non-speaking:
BICYCLE MARIACHI , 40's, elegant and shimmering joy...
OLD NELSON PALETA MAN, 70's, steadfast and determined...
OLD MEXICANO FLOWER VENDOR, 60's, dignified, grateful...
FOUR GANGBANGERS, late teens, just doing their thing...
