Directing Actors — 24 Filmmakers on Writing, Casting, Prep, and Shooting

Directing Actors Pt. 2 — a collection of directing advice from 24 of the best directors, including their approach to writing, casting, preparation, working on set, and more.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Directing Actors
00:51 - The Director’s Job
02:22 - Chapter 1: Writing and Casting
07:47 - Chapter 2: Preparation
16:04 - Chapter 3: Working on Set
23:29 - Takeaways

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DIRECTING ACTORS PT. 2

In a previous episode, we heard from some of the best film directors about how to direct actors. In this video, we’ve assembled even more directors with even more nuggets of wisdom on directing actors. Topics covered include writing for specific actors, casting, preparation and backstory, and the inner workings of working with actors on set.

WRITING AND CASTING

Some directors are also writers, so the question becomes, do you write for specific actors or not? Wong Kar-Wai says he prefers to customize the role for the actor to maximize their strengths. Nancy Meyers will keep photos of her actors nearby to help get her unstuck while writing. Other directors like Pedro Almodóvar like to keep the screenplay “pure” and then find the right actors for each part.

HOW DIRECTORS WORK WITH ACTORS TO PREPARE

Directing actors can begin long before they step onto the set. Working with actors in the preparation phase can take many forms. Richard Linklater likes to work with actors in rehearsal to make the actual performances on camera feel spontaneous. Guillermo del Toro likes to provide his actors with extensive and detailed character descriptions. Filmmakers like Robert Eggers, who has so far worked in period films, will often give his actors primary sources to research the history of the time period.

HOW TO DIRECT ACTORS ON SET

After the casting and rehearsal stages are complete, there’s nothing else to do but get on set and do it for real. Famously, David Fincher likes to do a lot of takes to get his actors so comfortable with the material, that it feels like second nature. On the other hand, filmmakers like Michelangelo Antonioni prefer only three or four takes per shot to keep the actors fresh. The atmosphere on set is also a critical factor. Jonathan Demme advises to keep the actors as comfortable as possible on set.

Hopefully, these lessons resonate with any beginning filmmakers trying to understand the craft. The lesson here is that the best answer to how to direct actors comes from you and how you work best.


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♬ SONGS USED:

"Indians Jones Main Theme" - John Williams
"Ferris Wheel Love Theme" - BT
"The Fly Main Theme" - Howard Shore
"Conciliation I" - Jung Jae-il
"Chance of Rain" - John Brion
"Quantum IV" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Got to Give it Up" - Marvin Gaye
"Touch Me" - The Doors
"Jacob and the Stone" - Emile Mosseri
"The Artifact Living" - Michael Andrews
"Sonovabitch" - Mark Korven
"Mulholland Drive Theme" - Angelo Badalamenti
"Munsters Theme Song" - Jack Marshall
"Bulletin Board" - Howard Shore
"Spirals" - Hanan Townshend
"Edge of Seventeen" - Stevie Nicks
"Insane in the Brain" - Cypress Hill

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