How to Direct Actors — Directing Advice from the Greats

Summary

This video explores the art of directing actors, emphasizing the collaboration between directors and performers. It discusses key elements like casting, rehearsals, and the importance of building trust through clear communication and feedback. Featuring insights from notable directors like Orson Welles, Francis Ford Coppola, and Christopher Nolan, the video highlights different directing approaches, from detailed notes to allowing for spontaneity on set. Ultimately, it showcases how the relationship between a director and actors shapes powerful performances that bring films to life.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Orson Welles believed you can learn filmmaking quickly, but acting takes a deeper understanding.
• ⭐ A strong performance can elevate a movie from good to unforgettable, highlighting the actor-director relationship.
• 🤝 Successful directing relies on building trust and collaboration with actors, achieved through honesty and communication.
• 🎭 Casting is critical to a film's success, with different directors like Robert Altman and Francis Ford Coppola having unique approaches.
• 👥 Rehearsals provide a space for experimentation, allowing actors to fully explore their characters and deepen their performances.
• 🔧 Directors like Christopher Nolan use rehearsals for logistical planning, while others, like Steven Spielberg, prefer spontaneity on set.
• 📝 Giving effective notes is a key skill for directors, balancing clarity, trust, and allowing actors creative freedom.
• 🎨 Improvisation can bring spontaneity and authenticity to scenes, but requires actors to have a deep understanding of their characters.
• 💡 Some directors, like Judd Apatow, view improvisation as a form of on-the-spot rewriting to improve the film's humor or dialogue.
• 🎥 The director’s role is to support the actors' performances, ensuring a collaborative process that achieves the film's vision.

Q & A

What did Orson Welles famously say about filmmaking and acting?

Orson Welles famously said that you can learn everything about filmmaking in a weekend, but you can't learn about acting in a weekend.

What is the key to a great performance in a movie, according to the script?

A great performance can turn a good movie into an unforgettable one, and such performances are achieved not only through the actor's skill but through the relationship between the actor and the director.

How do different directors approach casting?

Directors approach casting in various ways. For example, Robert Altman seeks actors who bring something new to his perception of the characters, while Francis Ford Coppola looks for actors who fit a specific vision, as seen in his decision to replace Harvey Keitel with Martin Sheen for 'Apocalypse Now.'

How do the Coen Brothers conduct their auditions?

The Coen Brothers prefer to have actors read scenes during auditions because they believe it is the only way to assess an actor's suitability for a part.

How did Stanley Kubrick select Sterling Hayden for the role of General Jack Ripper in 'Dr. Strangelove'?

Kubrick chose Sterling Hayden for the role because Hayden was against the character ideologically, which Kubrick believed would add depth to his portrayal of General Jack Ripper.

What is a key component for many directors when working with actors during pre-production?

A key component for many directors is ensuring that actors understand the intention of the film and their character inside and out, as highlighted by Jordan Peele, who works collaboratively with actors to help them better understand their roles.

What is Greta Gerwig's perspective on rehearsals?

Greta Gerwig believes that rehearsing is integral to an actor's performance because it allows them to deepen and refine their portrayal, giving them time to experiment before the pressure of shooting.

Why does Steven Spielberg prefer not to rehearse scenes before shooting?

Steven Spielberg avoids rehearsing scenes because he believes that the magic of a first-time performance should be captured on camera, rather than in a rehearsal space.

What approach does Quentin Tarantino take when giving notes to actors?

Quentin Tarantino believes in giving specific and clear notes to actors without overwhelming them, ensuring they understand what is needed without feeling lost or over-directed.

How does Martin Scorsese work with actors like Robert De Niro on set?

Martin Scorsese allows actors like Robert De Niro to experiment with different ideas and interpretations of a scene, often shooting multiple takes to capture something unexpected or explosive.