I just finished co-authoring a book with a close friend about his experience in early cryonics (freezing people to bring them back later... ala Ted Williams). His story is very unusual. He froze the first man in 1967. Then he went on to freeze, and thaw others. He was later sued for his failures and lost.

The PRI radio show This American Life did a feature on the story a couple weeks ago. That show goes out to over 500 stations. Since then we have heard from two independent film producers, Tom Elliott and actor Jeffery Tambor, a documentary producer from the BBC London, and Dreamworks studio. It seems there is a lot of interest in purchasing the story and making a movie.

This is a great opportunity to be involved in the making of a potentially major movie. Most likely my involvement, if any, would be in a technical advisory role along with my friend, and possibly some involvement in the screenplay, again advisory.

Big question here. As a new actor with just a few short films under my belt, do any of you with experience see a way to take advantage of the situation to possibly land a minor role in the film? I'm not sure I should even ask. I can see maybe asking for an opportunity to audition for a role with special consideration as part of the deal when we sell the movie rights. What do you think.

If you're interested in listening to the This American Life feature, here is the link: http://thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1239

I highly recommend listening. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Thanks for your advice!

Dear Kenneth,

In the film business, or any business for that matter, the overriding philosophy is simply this: EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE.

You aren't the first person to ask to be given a small part in your own film, many people do. Only when you INSIST on being given a performance role does it becomes problematic. Just getting your film produced should in all cases be your first priority.

Asking for a minor acting part in your project is perfectly O.K. Asking for the right to audition is even easier to grant. Just don't make it a contingency...

"Whatever works."

www.robertkim.com

id agree with what Robert said. If you have leverage i would definitely try for the small role vs an audition...its so simple for them to do something like that it would just behoove you to put yourself in the running. Just make a point to get it in the contract if you can...I seriously doubt if a largescale operation buys your project that they will object to something like that. If you try for larger supporting roles or more that might be a different story.
Check out the stories of Chazz Palminteri with his struggles to have more involvement in A Bronx Tale...although its a bit of a difference in your case.