Just had to ask this because I occasionally get asked this question, twice in this last week,  by people interested in producing my scripts. I'm always amazed at this. I NEVER picture any particular director directing my scripts or any particular actor acting in my scripts! I find it a bizarre question even. To me, stories are stories that just appear in my head. My characters are usually half based on people I know or have read about. Never ever are they with some actor in mind.  Same goes for stories and as far as directors go...I'm clueless. I can name a handful, but that's it and even so, they never affected my writing in any way.

What about you? Do you have particular actors/directors in mind while writing?

This is a little different, I guess, but I do sometimes uses certain actors for a character's voice in order to keep a distinct voice in my head. That doesn't mean I expect that actor to play the role, though. Actually, I don't just use actors but people from my life if they have a distinct voice that fits the character I have in mind. That's just for my own writing needs, nothing more.

Trevor St. John... In everything.  Best actor ever.  

I don't always think of actors while writing...but recently I was writing an autopsy scene and I thought about I think his names Ducky in NCIS...to help me because I've never really written much, surely not an autopsy scene.

Sometimes if I'm brainstorming ideas, I think....what some actors look and act like and it helps me visualize a character for the idea.

When I'm reading scripts in here...not all of them, but some, I have thought..oh I could see Morgan Freeman playing him...etc...but not all characters evoke these type of feelings.

It's not something I do on a regular basis by any means though.

I generally NEVER think of who would be playing my characters.  They usually have their own unique voices.

Until very recently.  In my most recently finished script, I couldn't help but visualize one of my characters as John Malkovich.  Can't imagine anyone else playing the part...  Funny thing is, it's a supporting role.  All the major characters - no particular idea or feeling as to who would play them.

The same applies to me with this feature I'm working on. Only for some though not all.

Hmm, haven't the foggiest idea... (0:

Seriously though, when I write I see the characters as I see them - and afterward I try to match an actor or actress to my visions...

And Balt, you are a serious weirdo...

(0:

Latching onto actor voices helps me shepherd characters sometimes.
But it's nothing I seek out or consciously avoid to have happen.
If the voice/face pop up with the character, I don't fight the tide, so to speak.

For example:

I always saw my shotgun engagement couple in Zombie Playground as:

Ed Helms: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1159180/
&
Christina Applegate: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000775/

For Clone Wife, I always had a clear picture of my leading couple:

Steve Carrell: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0136797/
&
Julie Bowen: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0100866/

I thought Julie was a great foil for Adam Sandler in "Happy Gilmore".
Always liked how she played down her looks to nail the chemistry.
The best example of that is Claire Dunphy on the TV series, "Modern Family".
She's got a very attractive range and isn't afraid of making herself look foolish.

Regards,
E.D.

I actually pictured Simon Pegg as the husband for Zombie Playground.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0670408/

Sometimes, I'm able to picture hte actors for certain roles. Depends on how long I think about a script.

I know, in my Christmas script, I had pictured three actors for it; Ryan Gosling (back in 2009, I had listed him because of "Fracture"), Michael Keaton (mostly for his haggard, run-down look) and Kathy Bates (because she fits perfectly as the mother of an adult).

I tried picturing other actors for the script, but I just couldn't do it.

I'm surprised so many of you picture famous people as your characters. Really.

If your script sold, would you really want those people act in your film as a character they've already portrayed?

When I wrote Dog Run and Druid's Guide to the Northeast, I was picturing Rip Torn as Sawyer.  After seeing David Sterne's performance, I could see him in Druid's Guide.

When I wrote Bad Penguin, I pictured Ossie Davis as Cooper.


Phil

There's some I see that can work, having seen them in previous movies or tv shows though. It's hard to explain it. It's just a gut feeling that "this guy or gal can play this character."

Quoted from Grandma Bear I'm surprised so many of you picture famous people as your characters. Really. If your script sold, would you really want those people act in your film as a character they've already portrayed?

I think I'd be a fool to turn down Steve Carell for Clone Wife.
He can open a rom/com, his last one grossed over $80 million in the states.
Second, he has his own production company to shepherd development.

You'd be surprised how many executives I pitch ask for star names in your roles.
It can act as an anchor in a pitch that you can riff from and brighten the chat.

Sometimes it helps me to solidify a voice for a character.
But then, I try to contort it and make the character their own.

For example, our pal Gabe saw Simon Pegg in Zombie Playground.
He's a similar everyman bloke to the guy I envisioned when I wrote it.

But, it's not a do or die thing or a deal breaker for me.
I'm not holding out, I'm looking to get in! ;D

Regards,
E.D.

I always have a specific actor in mind when writing a character, and it's almost always against type.  It's not intentional; it just happens.  Most of the time they're character actors, and almost never an A-lister because the stuff I write isn't geared toward Big Hollywood Blockbusters.  One script I see James Roday, Amanda Righetti, Lisa Kudrow and Elias Koteas; another I see Michael Weston, Nadine Rodriguez, James Gandolfini (about as close to an A-lister as I tend to imagine in a role), Simon Helberg and Chris Meloni.  I guess you could say the range of actors I see is eclectic, to say the least.

Again, it's not planned.  I just write the character and that actor is the face I almost immediately see playing it.

As regards shorts, no. In terms of features, I don't imagine actors as characters, but once I have a good idea who the main characters are, I go over them and ask 'what would attract an actor to this part'? If there is nothing interesting or unique about the character, then something is wrong. I do sometimes imagine if certains actors would be a good fit for certain roles.

Interesting!

I think I know why one of my features was being picked for production btw. It's not that great a script IMO, but the actor playing the main character liked the character and wanted to play him... I had no one in mind when I wrote it. At least not that I can remember. But, then again, I don't remember much of anything.  ;D