Jentri's 'Directing Actors' session with Laurel Smith
Thu, 04/01/2010 - 23:42
Today, I had a wonderful private one-on-one with Laurel Smith, from In The Moment Acting Studio here in Austin. I would recommend this for any first-time feature director. Unless you've taken acting classes and feel confident, us writer-directors need to be able to understand things from our actor's point of view, too. It's important to understand the differences in how a writer sees/describes things from how the director needs to convey them - the idea, concept, tone, arc (both individually and as a whole).
A few tips I'll share with you are (sorry, wanted to video blog this, but too many details!):
1) Less is more. Don't talk your way into confusing yourself and the actors.
2) Use actions, not emotions (those aren't directions).
3) Never tell an actor how to say a line. You'll squash an authentic response that way.
4) Learn to always listen before giving your thoughtful direction.
5) Know why each character is doing what they're doing NOW.
6) Improvise if you wish, but not too much. If it's a good script, it's a good script for a reason.
I have an entire page full of notes, but these are some key things about 'directing actors' to contemplate, especially if you're getting ready to make the big transition from writer to director. It's a scary world for us introverted souls used to sitting in dark spaces fantasizing about parallel universes, and talking to our computers. But the good news is, knowledge is power that will put your anxiety to rest. :)
So, I encourage you to let down any ego, and reach out to your local acting educators. They will guide you, and consequently, you will learn to guide actors as needed, as you experience the craft firsthand — make mistakes, grow, and have fun!
Laurel encouraged me to let go, and not try to be a perfect director, because I'd only disappoint myself (no one's perfect!).
Happy learning & directing! :)
Jentri
Post new comment