MODEL ACTRESS

Re your article on Cindy Crawford and other models (“Lights! Camera! Cheekbones!,” by Mimi Avins, Sept. 3):

Several years ago, I directed a film, “Ted and Venus,” that only now is beginning to find its audience. It was a true story about a spent poet (a part I played) obsessing over and ultimately driving away a beautiful woman.

I knew going in that I more than likely would have to go the model route, since the image I had was of physical perfection. Still, I read real actresses. The finest audition was Sandra Bullock’s, who was then unknown. She was brilliant. But the girl I required had to be taller than me (I’m 5-9) and someone of such symbolic presence that when she was offscreen the audience would still be thinking about her.

I ultimately hired a model [Kim Adams] whom I had worked with for one year shaping her performance. She had a Gene Tierney quality and was statuesque. She was not the girl next door.

Ultimately she gave a fine performance. However, the fact that she was not an actress made the shoot more difficult. An on-set coach had to be hired. Later, editing proved tricky.

In retrospect, would I have cast Ms. Bullock and gotten a great performance or would I have stuck with my original choice and gotten the perfect visual representation my character hungered after and was inspired by?

It’s a tough call--but yes, I still would have hired the model. For that film, for that role, she was what was ultimately required.

Would I be interested in working with and developing a project for a model or a spokesperson who has not seriously studied acting? No way.

BUD CORT

Los Angeles