How to Direct Actors - Directing Advice from the Greats
How to Direct Actors for Film - a collection of directing advice from some of the best directors, including their approach to casting, rehearsal, giving notes, spontaneity, and more.
How to Direct Actors for Film ►► bit.ly/hw-da
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Directing Actors
00:54 - Director's Approach to Actors
02:39 - Chapter 1: Casting and Rehearsing
09:48 - Chapter 2: Giving Notes
14:14 - Chapter 3: Spontaneity
19:44 - Takeaways
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HOW TO DIRECT ACTORS FOR FILM
Ask ten directors on how to direct a film and you’ll get ten different answers. While there is no surefire answer to how to direct actors, there are strategies and approaches to consider. In this video, we’ve collected words of wisdom from some of the best film directors, past and present, on their specific approaches to directing actors. Topics covered include the casting and rehearsal processes, giving notes, and the importance of allowing for spontaneity on set.
DIRECTING STARTS WITH CASTING AND REHEARSAL
There is an adage in filmmaking that “directing is 90% casting.” Some directors, like the Coens, rely on the audition process to ensure that the actor is actually right for the part. Jordan Peele admits that he hopes the actor will understand the character better than he can. Greta Gerwig values the rehearsal process to work out the more creative elements of a scene, while Spielberg chooses to save the spark of the performances for the set.
HOW TO GIVE DIRECTION WITH NOTES
A set can be a stressful place, and tensions are high for everyone involved. How to work with actors on set requires a special set of skills. As a young director, Ryan Coogler couldn’t help but be direct and honest with his actors. Tarantino agrees: “It’s about being specific about what you’re saying because if you’re arbitrary, they’re a fish looking for water.” David Cronenberg likes to leave the actors alone as much as possible on set, having done all the prep ahead of time.
DIRECTING ACTORS & SPONTANEITY
Even with the weeks of pre-production and rehearsal, many directors advise leaving room for spontaneity. Directors like Kelly Reichardt embrace the variables that come into play when the uncontrollable elements influence the controlled elements. John Cassavetes was a huge advocate for improvisation, sometimes surprising his actors with notes and scenarios, capturing a more natural and unfiltered performance.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
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♬ SONGS USED:
"Actors" - Lappel Du Vide
"Amok in Redo" - Cowboys In Japan
"The Hunt" - Max ll
"Main Title (The Player)" - Thomas Newman
"Love Remembered" - Wojciech Kilar
"Walk On By" - Dionne Warwick
"City Girl "- Kevin Shields
"Trinkets to Kill a Prince" - Hans Zimmer and Ramin Djawadi
"25 Years" - Jonny Greenwood
"From The Fire" - John Carpenter
"End Titles (Fruitvale Station)" - Ludwig Goransson
"You Can’t Wake up If You Don’t Fall Asleep" - Jarvis Cocker
"Journey to the Island" - John Williams
"Funeral March of a Marionette" - Charles Gounod, Lyn Murray
"Austin’ Surfboards" - The Tornadoes
"Sail Away" - Bobby Krlic
"Mrs. Doubtfire" - Howard Shore
"True Grit Theme" - Carter Burwell
"Endless Ocean" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Happy Day" - Uncanny Alliance
"Safe Return" - Rob Simonsen
"Solomon" - Hans Zimmer
"No Regrets" - Makeup and Vanity Set
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Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Directing Actors 00:54 - Director's Approach to Actors 02:39 - Chapter 1: Casting and Rehearsing 09:48 - Chapter 2: Giving Notes 14:14 - Chapter 3: Spontaneity 19:44 - Takeaways
Please make a video on shutter angle
a lot of amateur directors are either too afraid to simply ask for what they want from an actor, or they, as directors, just don't know what they want to begin with. being polite, professional, and direct goes a long, long way, and as they say: specific is terrific.
adding to this: directors like Spielberg can afford to be much more improvisational, or to forego rehearsal, or to talk about this magical collaboration process, because they're working with the top ~one percent of actors in the world, for the most part. people just getting into directing, or directing on smaller features or who produce content as part of a 9 to 5, aren't - by which I mean, they may not know what they look or sound like while acting. in the case of a corporate gig, they may not even be actors at all! in those cases, it really helps to figure out what you want and give very specific notes until you get it.
Agreed!
Love this comment. I’m a new director and I watch everything and take it in. I learn and when I make a mistake, I’m never afraid of saying oops, my bad and moving forward.
I will put up with burps
StudioBinder is the filmmaker school we need. Thank you for everything. ❤
Preach!
Dude…As good as this channel is,it isn’t close to film school,if you’ve ever been,you’d know that.
Agreed!!!
@@sadetwizelveI'm in my final year of film school and I'm here to say studiobinder is more than valid
@@sadetwizelve the problem is that all can't get there. I would love me some film school but in my country it's almost impossible to get in.
Spielberg isn't just great at directing his lead actors, he could also make his extras so alive. Speaking of which, I'd appreciate if there would be a video in the future on how to utilize extras or minor background characters.
Thanks for the suggestion!
AI will take care of this soon enough, which is unfortunate.
@@BW-81 take over what? Do you mean soulless cinema made by robots? Oh sorry, a person, who doesn't understand the art but enjoys typing a prompt and think they are capable for 100 person jobs?
@@rbagas3457 I’m referring to extras (background actors) that are already being replaced by CGI and, unfortunately, will continue to be as technology advances.
@@BW-81it's not really any good so far. It will probably only be used for certain cases anyway. You will always want real human beings close up to the camera. At least have the front of the crowd be real
Quentin is a great actors' director. A lot of actors reached their peak when working with him. Uma Thurman got her only Oscar acting nomination, whilst Christoph Waltz and Brad Pitt won their only oscars, and many other examples.
He knows how to bring out the best in them!
This is true of many other directors. The Oscars are always a surprise in that way. For instance Milos Foreman. Acting Oscars and Golden Globes for Louise Fletcher in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and F. Murray Abraham for Amadeus. One thing that is unique about Quentin is that he writes with specific songs and film score selections in mind. Writing, music, cinematography, staging, etc., all do so much for each actor's part.
I feel like the opposite is George Lucas. Just look at the leaden performances he elicited from his actors in the prequel trilogy.
@@kjh23gk I understand some of the lead actors felt Lucas wasn't that involved or interested in directing them. On the other hand they played Jedi's whose belief system made them wooden (in a way like Vulcans). Natalie Portman was not wooden and presented a fuller emotional performance. There were a lot of meetings too in the prequels and I think someone said George was always in meetings so that crept into his scripts! Maybe he even acknowledged it in an interview. But I think he had a grand vision of how the Empire overturned democracy through presentations and meetings promising security when actually they were making moves to take over which they did.
Every movie should have tits and burps
Frequent collaboration is one of the key aspects on any director might have because when I want to be a film director one day, I want to put my favorite actors on any of my movies in any genre. 🙂💯
Nice!
True! That's why my favorite Director, Christopher Nolan collaborates with Michael Caine in almost 9 movies (there are other actors too, not sure how much Nola's project there are in ).
I read on IMBD or somewhere that Michael Clarke Duncan was eager to do 'Armageddon'. During production, he got nervous and wanted out. So director Michael Bay and co-star Bruce Willis talked to him to lift his spirits up, convincing him to stay. Clarke Duncan went on to work with Willis again on 'The Whole Nine Yards' and for Bay on 'The Island', where he was hailed as a stand-out, despite his brief role. Ironically, Willis and Bay themselves did not get along.
The film business haha
20 min from you guys is like an entire course
That's the idea ;)
16:11 "Don't ask me. You as an actor should know more about this character than anybody else". That's a brilliant argument!
In just few minutes, i saw greatest actors, directors, collaborators... such a nicely crafted video StudioBinder!
Glad you liked them!
"I deny that I ever said actors are cattle. What I said was, "Actors should be treated like cattle." " Alfred Hitchcock. He really did give detailed instructions to the actors: Where to look even how to look. He explains more in Hitchcock/Truffaut.
It's all in the details
Thank you for this… this is beautiful. Someday, I’m going to work on a set, with people I’m grateful to remember for the rest of my life. I think, I’ll remember this clip on that day. I’m so hungry to learn and leave behind me, a memory. Thank you for this one. ~Sheeara, Alaska
Same here. Tate, from the middle of nowhere.
Happy filming!
That was excellent, StudioBinder. Thanks for including a tiny bit of the freeway crossing scene from Bowfinger, too. It is one of the funniest scenes ever captured on film. One of the greatest "making of" movies is, of course, Hearts of Darkness, the film about the making of Apocalypse Now. Watching Coppola trying to direct Brando is fascinating and excruciating at the same time.
Definitely a dark time haha
It is incredible the film was finished and the fact it turned out to be one of the great films and an Oscar winner is nothing short of miraculous. With a cyclone destroying the set, Martin Sheen's heart attack, Brando being totally unprepared and Dennis Hopper existing in a different dimension, it is no wonder FFC nearly went mad.
Wes Anderson is right at being more controlling, because his story demands to act funny in serious scenes, and act serious in funny scenes. It's a bit difficult for actors to grasp what he intends to bring.
Both the Cohen brothers and David Fincher can be pretty controlling as well
Yup, and the actors love him!
my favourite filmmaking channel ever exist , i will tell this through a mic on a stage ,where there ill be the director of some films , who learn most of the thing from studio binder
We'll be waiting!
This video made me cry...Sir you and your team is amazing. 30 years later somebody would be asking to the one of the greatest director of that time. Where did you learn filmmaking... He/She will reply with watery eyes... "STUDIO BINDER" 🥺. I can't even explain how much you are helping me with these video essays. There's only one request please let the good knowledge flows. ❤
I will say that man with respect
Insha Allah
💖💖
Thanks for an amazing video! Please, make a 2nd part with approaches of directos Richard Linklater and Terrence Malick. Also, it'd be great to have Asian ones (especially Japanese) as their film and acting are sometimes way different than the rest of the wordl!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Another fantastic video. Probably one of the most daunting tasks i may have to do if i choose this line of work and this video is definitely going to help, so thank you
I say to be a great filmmaker is to be a great listener and talk to people about what projects they feel they can dedicate to you and what they can bring to the table.
Studio binder, I can't thank you enough for your great help. I appreciate you.🙏🔥
A very much needed content. I was looking for it all over KZhead, and I am glad StudioBinder chose to make this episode. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Great content as always, really Love and appreciate you.❤
the amount of contribution Studiobinder will have in my filmmaking career and the inspirations following afterwards will be unmatchable even until I'm on the verge of dying.
Good luck!
Thank you for this. I’ll always keep learning how to be the best film maker I can be!
Happy filming!
I ve Been watching StudioBinder for years now and the videos still have interesting subjects and the quality of Presentation ist second to none
We're only getting better!
I think one of the most incredible directors who knows how to directed his actors are Paul Thomas Anderson, great video ❤
Being a photographer for so many years I’ve learn how to give the best advice on directing my cast as much as I can. I believe you have to show your direction to your cast in order for you to let them know the vision you’re trying to capture.
Thousand Thanks StudioBinder. Definitely One of my Favorite StudioBinder Video. This is a Complete Audiovisual Encyclopedia Masterclass about Directing Actors Advice. Everything is Great on Working with Actors and Actresses to build their characters.
Glad you liked it!
I rarely miss any of your clip here on KZhead this is one best film school I need the voice over is so captivating that it gets me engaged all through from start to the end of every tutorial. thank you studiobinder
Cheers!
Great knowledge about our life keep it up we need more and more knowledge thanks for all the knowledge
Thank you studio binder for starting this series where we can also learn directing an actor. Will there be any series on acting only?
Studiobinder, your guys are awesome and amazing!!! Many thanks to all the work you put in.
Thanks for watching!
So good, shooting our first feature. I'm an actor getting ready to produce and this is very helpful.
Such amazing work! Greatly appreciate this videos!
👍👍
Great video, as usual. This helped open my mind to other well-known and more established directors and their methodologies when working with actors which I will use when directing my own movie. You can bet I will revisit this video again and again just for inspiration. I prefer rehearsing the actors before shooting.
Happy filming!
Bless Orson Welles, all the actors that were lucky enough to work with him,and film directors to learn from him…
A director and his actors on the same page is a hit
Part of the movie magic!
*I always said, that there's directors that direct scenes and directors that direct actors, the 1st one hire great actors to do the movie, the 2nd one help actors make the movie*
Interesting thought
@@StudioBinder *Thanks*
Thank you again for all your work and these videos and all future videos to come. :-) Can't wait!!!!
More on the way :)
This could hardly have been done any better! Great job, guys! (PS: In some future episode, can you guys analyze the work of Hans Zimmer?) Thanks
Thank you Studio Binder, I love you
It would be great if we get the subtitles available for the better understanding. @studiobinder hope you do the necessity . ❤
on the way!
This video is one of my favourite ones of this channel.
Great to hear!
I'm so in love with this KZhead channel!❤
Love our viewers!
Thank you so much for the long-awaited and very important video about directing! I also really look forward to the economy of the film industry, how in different countries filmmakers and films make their way to success and achieve economic success. Of course, I am interested in the experience of various filmmakers in the USA and Canada, primarily those who did not initially have a special education and connections. But also experience in European countries, in Australia and New Zealand.
Thanks for the suggestion!
We haven't heard the person narrating this one in a while, love you!
Thanks for watching!
This video is perfect... that voice... all the info... everything! I love it.
😁😁
Really motivating and inspiring. But please also make a video on the actors new to camera. that will be helpful for new directors like me. 😊
Ladies and gentlemen; he's back.
Thanks for watching!
excelente .gracias
One of the best video.... please make video on using light meter and information regarding shooting on celluloid
Thanks for the suggestion!
I suspect that Woody Allen is a director who leaves great part of his scenes to improvisation. Over the years he has usually worked with groups of great actors whose talent he could trust. For example I recently watches „Match Point“ again, and there are entire scenes where it seems Mr Allen just gave the actors the broad picture what the scene should be about, maybe suggesting them some witty lines, but mainly leaned back and let them surprise him. I don‘t know if it is true.
Possibly!
having a director that you can give trust at is the best!
Great content here. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked it!
I love studiobinder and all I learn!
Love hearing that!
As aspiring filmmaker. Thank you for this. 🥹❤
Thanks for watching!
Excellent video, Thank you for such informative content
Glad you liked it!
I always liked the quote: “Treat actors like stars, and stars like actors”
Nice
Have a good team around you both in front and behind the cameras.Scorsese and De Niro and Spike and Denzel have good collabs.
Best Film School Ever Existed...Thankyou for efforts making it easier for Indie Filmmakers to learn making films.❤❤
Cheers!
Thank God for KZhead who needs film school when you can just watch KZhead.
i absolutely love this channel
We love our viewers!
Great video! Keep it up!!
Will do!
Excellent, thank you.
Oh Yeah! the voice is BACK!!!! Love it!
Thanks for watching!
Every time I watch one of your videos, the money I would have spent for film school I can put into production. Winner!!
That's the goal!
thanks .. want more videos on this topic.
Thanks for the feedback!
I don't skip ads on studiobinder videos
💯
I’m considering having the cast of whatever project I work on to play both an exaggerated version of themselves irl, as well as a second character that most likely will be animated and have those actors record their voices, but also do physical performances to help us get the vibe of that fictional character! That being said…it does all depend on the project itself, and not all of them will have that kind of meta humor.
Good luck!
@@StudioBinder thanks!💖
Thanks for the Video 😀
Cheers!
✅@@StudioBinder
"Director is the most overrated job in the world" Thank you so much for this, what great knowledge! thank you for including the trailblazer John Cassavettes! 😘😘 i wish it was an hour long, with the inclusion of Sidney Lumet, Kurosawa, Wilder, Lang, Ford, Lean, Wyler, Truffaut, Polanski, PTA. Directing is the most important part in filmmaking.
Love your Narrator’s Voice ! 👌🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
🙌
Awesome information
Thanks for watching!
David Fincher is really good with directing actors.
Definitely
the cool voice narrator guy is back!!
@studiobinder You guys are absolutely incredible. Thanks for the hardwork that went into this. This really spark so much inspiration in me.
Hope it helps!
Excelent video!!!!
Thanks for watching!
part 2 please
Please make a video on shutter angle
You have the best voice in KZhead!
🙏
Great video! Very helpful for me as music recording producer. Hello from Ukraine❤
Superb Video 😍
Cheers!
8:55 LOLOLOLOL That Heath Ledger REALLY nailed it. I was so so wrong to doubt his casting. BEST.JOKER.EVER!
oh yes! with the classic voiceover!!! The reason I'm onboiard!
Enjoy!
this was gooooooodddddddd
You guys are the best
Beyond Brilliant = Merci 🎥 Binder ✅
👍👍
I love this
Great to hear!
@@StudioBinder I will use it as a advantage
Maybe he deserves a video of his own, but I wished this one would at least touch on Sidney Lumet. He would know just how to get the very best from his actors and most, if not, all of them spoke highly of him. For that, and his early career experience as an actor himself, he was known as an "actor's director".
We'll probably cover him more in the future!
He is baacckkkkkkk!!!
Enjoy!
This coming year I will direct the greatest movie thanks to you and I will tag you🎉
Reason to live : 1. StudioBInder every week
😮
My fav narrator is back😁
👌👌
Very good video. Watched it twice and will probably watch it again. But it seems to me that a video about working with actors should include advice from actual actors. As you rightly make clear in the video, it's a collaborative process.
Please update this video with subtitles
Subtitles are up!
This channel is damn priceless🌟
🙏🙏
I wanna see the man behind this voice 😂. His voice makes the video more interesting 😊. And shout to the channel for such film educating videos!! Keep it guys 🎉🎉…
Im just going to continue to keep asking: please make the movie titles more visible in the bottom corner of the frame when you re showing clips. Its so hard to read sometimes depending on what is behind it. Other than that, all of your videos are flawless.
we've increased the opacity
@@StudioBinder i truly appreciate it. been watching for a really long time. very excited to see the difference. thank you
When Bradley Cooper was cast Rocket, a Marvel producer asked writer-director James Gunn why did he cast Cooper to not have Cooper sound exactly like himself when playing Rocket. Gunn replied that Cooper was "creating".
🔥🔥
You didn't turn on the CC. This is the very useful VDO for us, so pls have mercy on audiences who use English as the 2nd language. Greeting from Thailand.
CC will be uploaded
@@StudioBinder Thank you very much indeed.
Sir please add the subtitle😊😊
on the way!