Being a director like I have for several years, there are things
that I've had to deal with in this business. This isn't the professional method
of directing, but this is my perspective on how to be a director in any medium.
I will probably address the proper method of how to treat actors, but that is
not the sole focus on what I'm going to share. As a director you will have to
deal with people who think they know it all and you can't say anything that
will benefit me. The problem that most amateur actors forget is that acting is
an art form, but it's also an occupation. I think people tend to forget that
acting is work...hard work.
One of the things that I try to let the
kids know is that it's a very difficult business to get into. I feel like they
need to hear the truth about the world of entertainment. I tell them that they
have to 'want' it very badly and do almost anything to get in. An internship is
a great way to get your foot in the door, but it will take more than simply
getting coffee for the 3rd chair to the director of a small budget film; you
know what I mean? You have to be willing to sacrifice everything from other interests
to even relationships, I'm sorry to say; anything that might interfere must go.
You would think this would be the easiest
thing to do, but casting the play or musical can be difficult and grueling.
Having several people coming in to audition for you and to have to remember all
the people is a real trick. As a director, you have to have a bit of a
preconceived idea of what your vision is for each character and then try to
match up actors to characters. I've read countless stories of actors who
thought they weren't 'right' for the role, but the director saw the potential
before the actor could. That's the magic trick, trying to see the potential of
the actor even though they may not see it in themselves.
After the read-through, which is not
significant to me, I get right to the blocking where I basically tell the
actors where to stand and move on certain lines. This is where I have the most
control because after this, it's up to the actors. Once I've laid the
foundation, the actors are charged to memorize lines and their blocking. I like
to tell the actors that the best thing you can do when it comes to the
memorization of lines is repetition. They need to just go over the lines many,
many times to get it in their long term memory.
Once all the other elements have been put
in to place, the molding of the play happens during rehearsals. I realize many
actors tend to be apprehensive to do for the character and so they ask me for
direction. Here is where many directors can go in different methods, many of them
would straight out tell the actor what they have to do; I, on the other hand,
like to tell the actor 'what is your impulse?' and 'what do you think the
character would do?' I want the actor to take ownership in the character
and decide for themselves what the best course of action would be. There have
been very few times when I've had to tell an actor to do something a little
different than what they were thinking. The funny part is they almost come to
the realization and make the adjustment before I had to say something. A
director needs to be flexible. I realize there are time crunches and people are
expecting results immediately, but you can throw that on the actors. Sadly, the
director has to take the brunt of the force.
Directors don't always get the notoriety
that actors have, but that's not what this is all about. Many directors get
that instead fame or fortune for that matter, but being able to pull off
telling a story and entertain an audience is your ultimate goal...at least it
better be! A director must have an overall look of what the play, movie,
musical, etc. should look like and how it would unravel for the audience. I
really believe a director needs to be well organized, have a lot of patience,
have empathy for the actors, be the grand conductor of the piece of literature
for the stage and most of all...humble. Just remember that every person that
helps in the effort should get the attention they deserve because it's not all
about you...the production is about everybody!
Song of Inspiration [Check it out on
iTunes or Android!]:
Song: "For Those Who Wait"
Artist: Fireflight
Album: For Those Who Wait
Here's the video to the selected song:
By the way, I do actually have a director's chair...they are not cheap!