Synopsis for Typecast

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A young, documentary filmmaker named Francis Cazale decides to make a film about a reclusive writer named Dale Brody whom he greatly admires. Francis’ decision to profile Brody’s life seems like an odd choice initially since Brody’s notoriety as a writer is negligible and his contibution to literature often contested and debated. Nevertheless Francis is eager to explore his literary hero’s source of inspiration and to bring his life-story to the public. Vowing to be completely honest and objective, Francis envisions his film to be one that documents all the highs and lows of his subject’s life and career, including the struggle and the sacrifice, ultimately culminating in a well-rounded portrait of a man of integrity and substance.

Almost from the outset, Francis’s ideology is threatened as he begins interviewing a colourful variety of friends and aquaintances of the writer in order to get a broad perspective of his character. As the film progresses a picture will begin to develop about Dale Brody;—-one that is not exactly flattering. Francis’s image of his hero begins to crumble rapidly as he continues to explore his subject’s sordid life. Yet in spite of this, Francis’ admiration for the man remains strong because Brody has revealed glimpses of himself through his art that speak to Francis. Glimpses that are brave and honest and even noble. It is through Francis’ own unyielding faith in Brody that the audience will come to understand the virtues of the author’s character in spite of his many faults.

Typecast is a comedy about our flawed artistic heroes and that strange dichotomy that often exists between the chaotic nature of their lives and personalities and the remarkable way they are able to occasionally summon genius and channel it into their work.