How To Work With Actors On Set
Directing on set can be chaotic, especially if you aren’t prepared. So here’s some tips on how to work with actors on set and ensure a stellar performance.
First up, remind your actors of their motivation. Hopefully at this point you’ve already gone over all the nuanced details of their motivation in pre production rehearsals, but it always helps to give your actors a gentle reminder before rolling a take so it can be fresh in their mind.
Also you want to remind your actors of where this scene takes place in the overall film script. Oftentimes you’ll be shooting your film out of order, so it helps to give the actor context of where in the story this scene takes place and what sort of emotional place the character might be at.
Next, you’ll want to do a quick rehearsal. Doing a rehearsal before shooting will help to work out any last minute blocking issues that might pop up now that your actors are on the actual set. Working these out ahead of time will help cut down on the amount of takes you’ll need to shoot.
Next, when you’re ready to go for a take, let your actors perform the scene as they’ve prepared it and then give notes. By doing this, you’re allowing your actors the chance to shine at what they do best and provide their own flare to the performance. This helps them feel creatively involved, and you can always take and adjust for the next take.
And speaking of giving notes, pro tip it’s usually considered bad form to do a line reading for an actor, so avoid it if you can. However, if an actor just isn’t nailing a line ask them if it’s alright if you give them one. If they are, then go right ahead.
Next up, allow time for your actors to do improvisation, especially when shooting comedies. This gives your actors freedom to explore their character more and will make them feel like they are making a creative contribution. Plus, they most likely will surprise you and come up with an original moment that might be better than the script.
Also, if you’re shooting closeups or special effects shots with one actor, make sure the other actors in the scene are still there to run lines with them. After all acting is reacting so giving your actors someone to react too is always best.
And pro tip, if you have a situation like I did for my short film The Round Table and you have the same actor playing multiple roles or it’s just not possible for the other actors in the scene to be there, then make sure you still have someone there to run lines with them.
And finally, never compromise on a take. It might be the end of the day or you might be running behind, but never rush through a take and compromise on its quality. Doing so might get you caught up schedule wise which feels great on the shoot day, but once you’re in the editing room and you realize you didn’t get the shot there’s no fixing it.
Of course schedule your shoot realistically, but shoot as many takes as it takes to get the shot. No pun intended. Now that you know these tips for directing on set, your actors are sure to give you performances of Jurassic proportions.
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