Project Pitch

Actor takes on the role of the lifetime. But at what cost?

All About the Project

METHOD TO THE MADNESS

Plot

Pretty boy actor Clayton Lang is on the walls of every tweenage girl's room in America.  Panned by critics for his shallow performances, Lang desperately searches for legitimacy.  He lands the role of a lifetime when renowned foreign director Artemis Leon casts him in his film "Gray Cages," a 21st century "Taxi Driver" about a software engineer that is driven to madness by his mundane job. 

The first half of the movie's fimling goes smoothly, however, Clayton has difficulties transitioning into his character's "Mr. Hyde".  Leon suggests that Lang try method acting which immediately elicits stunning performances from the young actor.  But Lang, like his character, steadily becomes more and more detatched from reality.  Filming ends, but Lang's struggles to maintain sanity only intensify.  As his relationship with his girlfriend deteriorates, his behavior becomes totally compulsive and psychotic.

"Gray Cages," as expected, is a smash hit.  Lang's performance blows audiences and critics away.  Media speculation concerning his bizzare, reclusive behavior comes to a crecendo after his Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor. 

On the night of the awards show, Lang is nowhere to be found.  The letter is finally opened-he has won.  But where the hell is he?  The back doors burst open and in strides Clayton Lang in his prodest moment.  Channeling Jack Torrence in his march to the podium, he gives a speech that no one will forget. 

Thoughts

Obviously this was in part inspired by what happened to the late Heath Ledger in regards to his death following the production of The Dark Knight.  In many ways, though, I'd like to deviate from Ledger's story as much as possible.

 Imagine Clayton as a Justin Timberlake or whatever kind of guy.  Think Zac Effron in, like, 5 years.  Oh and think of Artemis Leon as a shady Stanley Kubric/Ingmar Bergman kind of guy (intentionally driving this "bubblegum prince" to madness?). 

 

 

 

 

Genres

• Film > Drama > Social Drama