CAROLE
How open are you to actors' changes to
dialogue or script content?
RENE
While we're shooting [there can be no changes].
And they rarely come up. Whatever needs to be
addressed is addressed ahead of time because
you just can't afford to stop production to
accommodate a line change or argue about this
or that. We deal with it ahead of time so when
[the actors] are on stage or shooting, they know
what they have to do and what to rehearse. They
can move more efficiently [through a scene].
An intercom erupts from Rene's desk. An unseen assistant tells Rene of an important call. Rene shouts that he'll call them back and continues the interview.
CAROLE
Do you ever write characters for specific
guest stars?
RENE
No we don't write for specific guest stars. In my
experience, that's kind of a trap. On Law & Order
we got burned a couple of times. A guest star
will say "yes, I'm very interested" so you start
rewriting for that guest star. Then they're no longer
available, decided to go to Hawaii or whatever,
and you're stuck.
(CONTINUED)
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