Gordy brings impressive range, preparation, and dedication to their work. Their ability to improvise and adapt in the moment adds a rich subtlety to their performances, making each character feel layered and compelling.”
I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that I wish I could work with Gordy on every project. They’re communicative, collaborative and, most importantly, a lovely human to work with. I’m a better filmmaker when Gordy is on set with me.”
Gordy Cassel is hands down the best actor I’ve ever worked with. In West of Greatness: The Story of the Westwego Muscle Boys, Gordy played Jessica, a character living with a disability from a traumatic brain injury, and a character based on someone from my own past. The research Gordy did on TBI, and the care they took in finding the soul of this person, was beyond anything I’ve experienced with an actor before or since. They played her with love, grace, affection, and honesty. I was moved every single day we worked together.
Gordy also brings a serious improvisational background. Some of the best moments in the final edit are scenes and lines I didn’t write… Gordy found them in character, and they only made the film better.
Here’s the level of commitment I’m talking about. There’s a scene where Jessica performs a ballet piece, because she was a dancer before the injury. We hired a choreographer to teach Gordy the dance. Gordy insisted on first learning it in their able body, and then learning it again with the disability, because they wanted real access to the memory of knowing how to do it correctly so they could carry that into a scene with zero dialogue. In a movie about bodybuilding starring a bunch of men, that is everyone’s favorite scene.
On top of all of it, Gordy is hilarious and a joy to have on set. They look out for the safety of every other actor and crew member, and they want the whole project to be good, not just their part of it. I can’t wait to write something for them again.”
I just want you to know that I thought your acting in this movie (West of Greatness: The Story of the Westwego Muscle Boys) was fantastic. My favorite scene of the entire movie – and there were many – was the scene in which you did the ballet dance. Filmed in black and white until you collapsed into your wheelchair, when it transformed to color, for me was the single most beautiful, artistic, touching scene I believe I have ever seen in a movie.
I would readily watch the movie again just to be able to watch that scene over – and over and over. There are so many lessons in life packed into that scene, a person could write a book on it.”
Probably the most talented performer I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Setting the bar in professionalism and hard work, preparing mentally and physically for every role with an incredible ability to memorize dense material fast and still bring fun to every set. Wouldn’t want to work any other way!”