THE DIRECTOR’S PSYCHE
Where the DSM-5 meets the DGA
Where the DSM-5 meets the DGA
1.FOCUS OR FUGUE STATE
No one wants to talk to the director while he’s shooting. Anxiety surrounds him like a toxic cloud. He appears possessed as he acts along with the actors on the monitor. Don’t even try having a human moment. Just pat his shoulder and move on.
No one wants to talk to the director while he’s shooting. Anxiety surrounds him like a toxic cloud. He appears possessed as he acts along with the actors on the monitor. Don’t even try having a human moment. Just pat his shoulder and move on.
2.LONELY AT THE TOP
The crew harkens to your every word. The actors take your direction. But nobody really cares how the authority figure is feeling. If she got a good night’s sleep. If her marriage is okay. Alienation comes with the gig. In dreams begin responsibilities
The crew harkens to your every word. The actors take your direction. But nobody really cares how the authority figure is feeling. If she got a good night’s sleep. If her marriage is okay. Alienation comes with the gig. In dreams begin responsibilities
3.ON THE OTHER HAND
The great privilege of directing movies is finding yourself surrounded by brilliant, talented, fabulous, funny-as-fuck artists whom you’ve admired for years, who inexplicably treat you like a peer and actually seem interested in your ideas. Heaven.
The great privilege of directing movies is finding yourself surrounded by brilliant, talented, fabulous, funny-as-fuck artists whom you’ve admired for years, who inexplicably treat you like a peer and actually seem interested in your ideas. Heaven.
4.THE LAST TO KNOW
Sleep is essential. If you can get to bed early, you’ll live to face another day. But it means missing out on drinks with the crew or fabulous dinners with the actors. Years later you’ll learn who was sleeping with who (whom)?Probably best not to have known.
Sleep is essential. If you can get to bed early, you’ll live to face another day. But it means missing out on drinks with the crew or fabulous dinners with the actors. Years later you’ll learn who was sleeping with who (whom)?Probably best not to have known.
5.CRAFT SERVICE
Occasionally, you must escape the penumbral sound stage. Snacking is necessary. But can you eat your m&m’s and avoid the day player who wants to bond, or the grip who’s written a screenplay? Nope. Pretend to listen and get back to work.
Occasionally, you must escape the penumbral sound stage. Snacking is necessary. But can you eat your m&m’s and avoid the day player who wants to bond, or the grip who’s written a screenplay? Nope. Pretend to listen and get back to work.
6.PODIATRY FOR POETS
Stress congregates in your lower back. You’re on your feet all day and those personalized canvas ‘directors’ chairs may look cool but are hell on the spine. Wear sturdy shoes. Change your socks at lunch. Sit down whenever possible. In a real chair.
Stress congregates in your lower back. You’re on your feet all day and those personalized canvas ‘directors’ chairs may look cool but are hell on the spine. Wear sturdy shoes. Change your socks at lunch. Sit down whenever possible. In a real chair.
7.THE MONITOR
Something intimate was lost when they invented the video-tap. Proximity to the actors kept their work three-dimensional. The monitor turns it into a performance. Don’t become passive as if you’re watching TV. It’s still a process. Intercede when necessary.
Something intimate was lost when they invented the video-tap. Proximity to the actors kept their work three-dimensional. The monitor turns it into a performance. Don’t become passive as if you’re watching TV. It’s still a process. Intercede when necessary.
8.THE MONITOR, PT II
Some sets now have “courtesy” monitors. This nightmare originated on commercial sets to serve brand managers and non-combatants. Scorsese retaliated against looky-loos by hanging giant rearview mirrors at video village. Because…Marty.
Some sets now have “courtesy” monitors. This nightmare originated on commercial sets to serve brand managers and non-combatants. Scorsese retaliated against looky-loos by hanging giant rearview mirrors at video village. Because…Marty.
9.THE MONITOR, PT III
The video-tap is invaluable when it comes to stunts. No need for reshoots if you’re sure the crash was in frame or the explosion worked. But for god sakes don’t record anything else. That way, the actors can’t ask to watch their performance.
The video-tap is invaluable when it comes to stunts. No need for reshoots if you’re sure the crash was in frame or the explosion worked. But for god sakes don’t record anything else. That way, the actors can’t ask to watch their performance.
10.DIRECTOR PALS
When Milos Forman first came to America he had terrible nightmares but no time to go to therapy. Instead, he told his bad dreams to Ivan Passer and sent him to a therapist for interpretation. Forman became a star, Passer stayed in therapy for twenty years.
When Milos Forman first came to America he had terrible nightmares but no time to go to therapy. Instead, he told his bad dreams to Ivan Passer and sent him to a therapist for interpretation. Forman became a star, Passer stayed in therapy for twenty years.
P.S. THE HACK'S ADAGE
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target
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