A 'Thailiwood' series pins hope on return of talented actors

I have a special impression for three producers – Jerry Bruckheimer, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. The producer of “Crime Scene Investigation” series and “Pirates of the Caribbean ”, among many, Bruckheimer leads me to a new world. He ably turned the dull environment in crime labs into one hell of entertainment. In “Pirates of the Caribbean”, with Johnny Depp and the fun plot, he thrilled millions of movie-goers.

Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” and many others are brilliantly produced, leaving feelings that echo in our heads after watching them. Thumps up for Jackson for “Lord of the Rings”, but it is unfortunate that his later films could not match that trilogy.

As well as directing the movies, they brilliantly put the money, plots and actors to good use.

Looking to Thailand, who are my admired producers? Sorry, folks, I’m not quite a fan of Thai movies.

Right now, I’m enjoying watching a Thai series, that I would like to name “Thailand”. Its plot is plain, containing most of the things we’ve seen in the past in the Kingdom and elsewhere in the world – political fighting for votes. But, what makes it interesting is the producer, director, and actors.

The series has been going on even though the producer is overseas, getting orders done via a remote controller. It is fortunate that the directors, who take turns to do different parts of the series, are based in Thailand to communicate with actors and the crew.

Like any good producers, this man handpicked actors for the series. Casting for the lead took off a year before the shooting began. A series like this usually features lead male characters, but many potential ones fell ill. He had to change the plot and gave the role to a female actor. She’s new. But thanks to her loyalty to him and overseas education, she looks fresh and interesting enough to help woo audiences to the station where the series will be screened.

And the producer works beyond that; he helped cast secondary roles. As many talented actors went ill and were hospitalised, he focused on a second set of favoured actors. These performers showed huge commitment, but their acting skills are inferior. But what else could he do when the series must be on air.

This created a big headache for the director who had to draw the best out of the cast. He had to explain the plot thoroughly, every time the actors were in a scene.

“Sometimes, it’s frustrating. They didn’t understand the plot thoroughly. One actor defines the scene this way, while the others act differently. Sometimes, that bores the audience. It’s not surprising that though the series is successful to some extent, we could not win more audience as we hope. Eventually, the existing audience may leave us too,” the director said in an interview.

Positively thinking, he is elated that after May 30, 111 talented actors will be discharged from hospital. Many of them are yearning take a role in the series. The only trouble now is some of them may fight for a particular role. To the director, that’s manageable, given that the producer will have the final say. And who would disobey the man who has the money.

Asked if the upcoming cast reshuffle would include an actor who is not quite popular among fans of another TV station and whose notorious actions from time to time hurt the production company’s fame, he paused. He did not say yes or no, but mentioned that there was a high possibility.

“What can I do? The actor pleased the producer so much that a role is considered a reward. As a director, I have to play along. I will try my best, though, to ensure that he does not ruin the entire series.”

He was right. It’s too bad that the other TV station’s popularity is also tarnished with so many bad series and actors. Or, the producer of this Thailiwood series would learn that success needs all ingredients, not just money.