Directing Actors: Creating Memorable Performances for Film and Television

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John Putch, veteran film and TV director; Scrubs, Cougar Town, My Name is Earl, Poseidon Adventure, andAmerican Pie Presents: The Book of Love When that camera starts rolling focus on the actor's performance first. Leave the lighting, costume, hair and makeup, to the rest of your crew. Whilst you are watching the actors perform think about whether they are acting emotionally right for the scene and think about whether their performance is believable. At the end of the day, it is important to remember that both you and the actor share the same goal of telling a story to the best of your abilities. Together, you are simply trying to figure out the best way a film, scene, or even take should play out. Even an auteur director like Quentin Tarantino understands the importance of an actor and director being on the same level. In my experience, it’s the older actors that need less direction. They know what they want from the role and they know how to let the character’s shine

After years of being on film sets, you start to realize that they are nothing but large dysfunctional families. Offer more guidance to actors who are newer to the process. This might include breaking down the scene in more detail or offering a more specific direction.Not only does this experimentation produce something spontaneous, but it produces something authentic which ultimately connects with an audience. Actor’s often experiment and play off of one another which leads us to our next directing tip. How to Direct Actors for Film 9. Utilize other actors for real reactions

Dr. Michael Peter Bolus, PhD, Liberal Arts Department Chair, Los Angeles Film School; author; actor My Name is Dolomite

A Journey to a Mind-Set

This can be a mental direction, like asking them to think about somebody they hate while playing the character in the scene.Or this can be a physical direction like doing 20 push-ups, going on a verbal rant about something that irritates them, screaming their lungs out for as long as possible, and then diving straight into the scene. This technique can work well for small parts where only a few lines need to be delivered, but it’s not effective for larger roles because it steals focus from the actual film rather than enhancing it. It’s one thing for a line not to work at the table but it’s completely different when actors are making use of physical space. Don’t “Direct” Your Actors