Filmmaking / Directing : Directing by Lachele R Caver

I haven't directed a film before but I think it is really difficult.

It's especially frustrating when your actors aren't focused on their jobs.

I always believe that in situations like this, you have to look in the mirror. If your actors are frustrating you, what can you do to get them more focused? Did you take the necessary steps before hand to assure yourself that they would be team players? Ultimately, if you want to be a filmmaker, if it is truly your life's passion, then you have to learn from each experience. No shoot will ever be perfect.

directing is all about people management and skills of talking and ORGANIZATION! If the actors don't trust who is steering the ship (the director) they will try to gain control.

As an actor, directing frustrates me when it is lack of it ;)

Touche!

I've found the frustrating times crop up when a scene isn't clear in its intent and the actors are reacting against that but can't articulate what's wrong. The easiest scenes are where 1) Each character has a clear goal. 2) There is something in the way. 3) There is a ticking clock. Beneath that are the more subtle and complicated mechanics of character arc, tone and theme. A tool I suggest is as you break down each scene, try to articulate what the character wants, how they intend to get it, what gets in the way, what defines the character in how he or she deals with the road block and what they learned/failed to learn from the experience. You'll understand the scene better and also have an answer for the actor that hopefully will get them to hit their marks and say their lines.

Great topic. Thanks, Lachele. I find directing to be either the most thrilling endeavor or the most frustrating . Many have responded to this topic about working with actors and how difficult that can be. And I think that is because so many of us really don't know how to talk to actors, relate to the work they have to do, are have the vocabulary to express what we want. I'm thinking of starting a new discussion on the toping of Working with Actors. My belief, my approach, is that we need to Stop Directing the Actors (telling the what to do) and begin Stimulating the Characters (so that we can have authentic performances. Thoughts?

Hey Mark

I would like to think that I have some social skills can communicate to them just what I expect them to do, but it seems like it goes into one ear and out the other. I'm starting to think I need to text it to them and maybe they'de understand it better. Every second of free breathe they get it's tap, tap, tap on their phones. It's frustrating. If something doesn't go right on the set or even rehearsal, I lose it, or I'm about to lose it. I never do, but It seems like I do. It's just in my head. I don't want to scare my actors, but how can I get a better grip on the set without needing to take some Ativan before every shoot?

Nice out of the box suggestion, Vanar.

Lachele, I truly do understand your frustration. As a director (over 40 years) and a teacher/consultant on film directing (over 25 years) I have eventually come to the realization that there are a few basic steps we need to take with directing actors. First, assume you know nothing (which is really true about all of us) and take the time to learn from the best. There are many great books out there (Harold Clurman, Bobbi Lewis, Uta Hagen, Lee Strasberg, Sanford Meisner) just about how to work with actors. Read them all. Learn from them all. Then, take an acting class. You won't understand how to work with actors until you have, literally, walked in their shoes. And don't take a class with other directors, take one where you are working with professional actors. Three, direct a play! Yes, directing a play is one of the best ways to learn how to work with actors simply because you don't have the luxury of multiple takes, editing, etc. You are forced to find a way to elicit the performances you want, night after night. Four, study the art of directing actors with some of the best directors who are out there teaching. You want a directing actors workshop where you actually get to work with actors under the guidance of a skilled teacher/coach. And Five, remember, after all this, you still know nothing.

I agree with David, let the story guide you. I always go back to story when I get lost. What's being said right now? How can I pull that from my actor? How can I pull that from my DP?

I think your script, the story, will/should tell everybody what to do. As the director you should know the complete script by heart - or at least prepare for each shooting day you know by heart what will be shot. Further, there wouldn't be so many problems if you have a proper table read together before the shooting begins. If necessary sit down with each actor one to one and go through their part. It is your responsibility that they know exactly what you expect them to do. You are the boss, the one who interprets the script - not the actor. The actors are like musicians in an orchestra who play the symphony in the way the conductor tells them. Not the other way round.

A very interesting thread btw.