Directing actors and great performances

As a director, my most important goal is to create a safe space for the actors to act. 

1) First and foremost, respect that they have the toughest job: they must open up and be vulnerable on cue. I'm always trying to find ways to protect them from the crazy chaotic energy of production.

2) Feedback to the actors on their performance only goes through the director (not other crew or producers).

3) Never give an actor negative feedback (instead, we merely do another take with an adjustment).

4) Lastly, I try to focus suggested adjustments on playable direction: the actor is asked to do another take but adjusting the performance slightly with a verb (an action) or an objective (a goal) rather than an adjective or feeling.

Examples of verbs/action adjustments:

"Ignore him."

"Seduce her."

"Belittle him."

Examples of objectives/goal adjustments:

"Make her look at you."

"Make them understand you are the boss."

"Make her hit you."

"You want him to kiss you."

In other words, try to avoid telling an actor how to feel or how to do it. Give them an action or a goal and a solid actor will make it happen.

Comments

[Alex]

Hello word!!!