Directing Actors

It isn’t hard at all but it does require a different mindset to most of the other tasks undertaken by the film director.

No matter how visual or action driven your movie may be, the characters are the conduits through which you ultimately connect with your audience. Knowing how to recognize and encourage depth and believability in the actors’ portrayals sets a director ahead of those who function at just the technical level.

How Do Actors Work?

The truth is they are all potentially different in how they prepare and what they need from a director in both pre-production and on set. The more you work with actors the greater your ability will become to identify and address those needs.

However, one thing remains common to all. They need to know what a director’s vision and needs are. This is best achieved through clear succinct and dynamic communication. Knowing what to say, how much to say and when to shut up is vital in helping the actors connect with your ideas.

About the Course

The weekend class with Chris Thomas will provide you with some fundamental skills and a number of proven approaches to working with actors regardless of their style and approach.

Working live with professional actors on a number of different scenarios, using scripts and improvisation, we will look at the preparation stages including how to direct at a casting and use rehearsal time to its fullest, without killing the energy you will need for when the camera is rolling

Creating and maintaining the creative bond between the director and the cast is both vital and fragile, we will look at simple ways the director can protect this bond and keep it at the forefront of their attention.

We will then bring the camera into play and look at how to make the most of the frame to enhance performance and also how to direct actors under the pressure of production.

Who Should Attend?

Filmmakers, directors, performers seeking to understand and enhance their skills working with actors for the screen.

• What makes a great screen performance?
• The Director/Actor Relationship
• Actors’ tools and training
• Preparing to meet actors.
• What is a Character?
• The Director in Casting
• The Script Read
• Planning Rehearsal - What to Rehearse and Why.
• Rehearsal Tools
• Directing The Character

• Staging the Scene and Blocking the Action
• How the camera affects performance.
• Business and endowment
• Keeping performances dynamic and the actors engaged.
• Keeping the set as a creative environment.
• What to ask for in a new take.
• Maintaining Continuity - Emotional and Physical