How To Run An Acting Rehearsal

A rehearsal is your chance to start shaping each scene in your film, and holding one can be extremely beneficial not only for the actors, but other crew members as well. However, there are some crucial steps in the rehearsal process, so let’s get into how you can hold a rehearsal effectively.

First up in the rehearsal process is blocking. Blocking is where you and your actors decide exactly where they will stand, sit, and everything in between involving movement in a scene. It’s best to plan out your blocking as much as you can beforehand, so you’re not starting from scratch when it comes time for rehearsal.

Then go over your plan with your cast before they begin rehearsing the scene. Also if possible, make sure you perform your rehearsal at the actual shooting location, so blocking can be as accurate as possible. I personally like to hold rehearsals on set right before shooting, so blocking can be fresh in the actor’s minds.

Next, make sure you include key props in your rehearsal so actors can get used to performing their blocking with those as well.

And finally, when it comes to blocking, make adjustments in rehearsal and be open to ideas your cast might have. You and your actors are a team, so allowing them some creative freedom here will help the blocking evolve and feel more natural.

Next up in the rehearsal process is, well... rehearsing. Rehearing allows you the opportunity to go over the broader strokes of each actor’s performance, so make sure you give feedback and basic character motivation during the process.

And rehearsals aren’t only essential for the actors, they benefit the camera and audio departments as well. For the camera department, it allows them to rehearse any camera movements during the scene, so once you record a take, things can go smoothly. For the audio department, rehearsals are an opportunity to discover any audio issues and set levels ahead of time.

And finally, you want to find a balance of not over rehearsing a scene but also rehearsing enough. Over rehearsing can kill “in the moment” magic for actors but not rehearsing enough might mean when it comes time to shoot, you’ll need to do several more takes. Plus each actor might need a different amount of rehearsing, so you’ll need to get a feel for what’s too much and what’s too little as you work with them.

Now that you have these tips, you’ll be able to rehearse the night away! But… don’t really because your actors need to sleep too.

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