10 THOUGHTS ABOUT DIRECTING ACTORS
Actor (n.) generic
Actor (n.) generic
1. WHEN AN ACTOR DOES SOMETHING WONDERFUL
Try not to point it out or he’ll never be able to repeat it. Tell him he looks incredible in that coat.
Try not to point it out or he’ll never be able to repeat it. Tell him he looks incredible in that coat.
2. WHEN AN ACTOR DOES SOMETHING LESS THAN WONDERFUL
Never say, 'I have a better idea.’ Say, 'You’ve just given me a great idea! If his next take is over-the-top, say 'You don't know your power.' If you want another take, blame the camera operator.
Never say, 'I have a better idea.’ Say, 'You’ve just given me a great idea! If his next take is over-the-top, say 'You don't know your power.' If you want another take, blame the camera operator.
3. AN ACTOR RARELY NEEDS “A BEAT” BEFORE SAYING HIS LINE
We only listen to the end of sentences out of politeness. In life, there’s only talking and waiting to talk.
We only listen to the end of sentences out of politeness. In life, there’s only talking and waiting to talk.
4. IF AN ACTOR STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TAKE
Gently suggest he has many lines, whereas you have only two –“Action” and “Cut” – and that perhaps he should let you say them.
Gently suggest he has many lines, whereas you have only two –“Action” and “Cut” – and that perhaps he should let you say them.
5. IF THE SCENE FEELS RIGHT WHEN YOU’RE SHOOTING
It’s probably too slow. Trim whenever you can. There are only two things that are too short: life and penises. Directors don’t worry about cancer, they worry about being boring.
It’s probably too slow. Trim whenever you can. There are only two things that are too short: life and penises. Directors don’t worry about cancer, they worry about being boring.
6. THE BEST ACTORS’ DEFAULT IS TRUTH
If the script and the staging and the set and the costumes are right. It should feel like cheating. The key to acting is to stop acting. Anthony Hopkins often marks a scene, “N.A.R.” (no acting required).
If the script and the staging and the set and the costumes are right. It should feel like cheating. The key to acting is to stop acting. Anthony Hopkins often marks a scene, “N.A.R.” (no acting required).
7. FIND THE JOY IN EVERY SCENE
People smile at the most tragic or dramatic moments. It keeps the audience looking at the screen.
People smile at the most tragic or dramatic moments. It keeps the audience looking at the screen.
8. AS ACTORS AND ACTRESSES GROW OLDER
Actors tend to become less than men and actresses become more than women. The great teacher Nina Foch once said, “They used to tell me I didn’t have enough cleavage. Now I do but it’s on my face.”
Actors tend to become less than men and actresses become more than women. The great teacher Nina Foch once said, “They used to tell me I didn’t have enough cleavage. Now I do but it’s on my face.”
9. LOVE YOUR ACTORS
They are ripping their hearts out and showing them to the world while you sit there sipping a Starbucks. Even if you hate them you can’t kill them. Because then you’d have to recast.
They are ripping their hearts out and showing them to the world while you sit there sipping a Starbucks. Even if you hate them you can’t kill them. Because then you’d have to recast.
10. ALWAYS REMEMBER WHO HAS THE POWER
When asked what it was like to direct Barbra Streisand in the 1986 “A Star is Born,” Frank Pierson replied, “I wouldn’t know.”
When asked what it was like to direct Barbra Streisand in the 1986 “A Star is Born,” Frank Pierson replied, “I wouldn’t know.”
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