The Director's Director Mark W. Travis on Creating Authentic Acting Performances [FULL INTERVIEW]

[@AlexAntohe]

This is probably the best interview regarding the craft of directing, Mark is a legend.

[@julianlippkefilms9547]

How in the world does this only have 900 views? That's the best advise on filmmaking I have ever heard!

[@filmcourage]

We agree with you. We love this interview. Some videos take a little longer to season before they come into their own. We believe this one will continue to get discovered. In the meantime, it's our secret.

[@Kombo-Chapfika]

He errs towards shamanistic rambling. Thats how.

[@librasinger8441]

same ! so brilliant im in love

[@afishcalledwanda]

Take the positive side of the fact: Competition. You have a chance to become a better director, the others ignoring it won't... 😆

[@kppowell6157]

Because people want easy steps instead of modes of being. He’s telling people how they have to think. People want to be told what to do. He’s making brilliant points.

[@nadakaram4877]

I love this man's wisdom and his delivery in all his interviews, I just love the way he conveys his message to the audience. Thank you so much for uploading this teaching. Great work!

[@RAYMONDFORCHIONFILM]

Years ago I took a course with Mark Travis on Directing. It gave me a storehouse of knowledge on directing that has helped me for years. Not only as a director but also as as a producer and actor. I review those notes before every project...

[@SvintMvrcus]

18:08 - Write your life process.

[@eiseiintokyo-sakuraux6839]

Thank you so much Mr. Travis, it perfectly works in UX and digital creative teams too! It's brilliants, useful concrete way to lead and leverage the talent of the team. The interviewer is awesome! Her smart questions and how she use the least amount of time to ask questions. This video is gold!

[@anishfolorunsho]

Thank you so much Film Courage, thank you Mark Travis. I am definitely buying your books

[@thefriendlyaspie7984]

9:22 i love so much what he says there, just the other time i was talking about similar thing with my therapist, to put it on short. Words cannot transmit what emotions, feelings sensations and experiences have on us, and each person will have a different expirience, plus yes, each person projects their views on words, just as when reading a novel each person will picture a different thing.

[@souldissolve]

Wow! This is pure gold! Thank you Mark and Film Courage for this highly informative and entertaining interaction. As insightful as Mark is on the subject matter at hand, I must compliment the interviewer for asking pertinent questions in a highly professional manner (extra credit for a great voice) A round of applause for all those responsible for this video. Keep up the great work guys!

[@adliberate]

This guy is like a wizard.

[@evavazquez4376]

The big TRUTH.

[@chrisheeran]

Easily the best video I have watched by your channel these past couple of years. Because the information given by Mark here has given me enlightenment for my current project, I’m very thankful for this, Film Courage and Mark.

[@senseibullish1803]

one of the best interviews ive ever seen

[@librasinger8441]

i feel like with one video of you i learn more that in a year ! thats so clever and generous and coming from the soul ! love it

[@helwingair]

OK. This is pure gold.

[@Magicguy13]

This is so valuable thank you, it helps to understand the principles of story telling, with understanding and application we can then share our unique story and enrich people's lives

[@ignifero]

I love this interview so much. The questioning method made me recall the talkings to the robots in West World. It stroke me pretty similar to it when Mark says the character doesn't know they're in a movie. Likewise, the robots don't know there's a ''real world'' out there.

[@mirrormirrorproductions1978]

Your words are phenomenal Mark, I’m an actor firstly now coaching and now turning to directing and now also starting to write aswell. I take it very seriously the interpretation of the character… I thought I was obsessing … Thankyou for affirming my beliefs … projection perspective is key!

[@jaju6098]

Just started reading The Film Directors Bag of Tricks and here is the recommendation. Great 👍

[@mychalsimmons4177]

Film class at 1am... YES!

[@Lafemme17]

Yay! So glad the whole thing is up here!

[@peterchin7796]

greetings from Penang, thank you for sharing the wisdom, Mark and Film Courage !! :)

[@berehanuruga3277]

that is like taking a class. many many many thanks film courage and Mark W. Travis

[@theoryis4236]

18:18 Major Keys!!!

[@gshamshad855]

Great Interview!

[@lashaisrael2151]

Directing nuggets - great interview!

[@PakeSalmon]

love this!

[@sergeyzhelezko]

FINALLY! Thank you for the upload.

[@filmcourage]

Thank you for your patience. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we do.

[@lolitalola1680]

why do i feel like one of the lukiest people on earth by watching this video....thanks guys for giving us the opportunity to learn from this great man and making the effort to shoot nd post this video for us....truly feeling blessed nd thank you so much....keep it up!!!

[@filmcourage]

This ranks up there as one of our best interviews. We are grateful to Mark and Elsha for welcoming us and providing us the opportunity to film and share it. We are proud to have this on our channel. We hope you and many others benefit from it. Cheers!

[@MarkWTravis]

Thank you so much, Nada, for your supportive comments. Please stay in touch. ([e-mail]). Mark.

[@anam0ck]

Thank you SO MUCH for this.

[@maxmentone5373]

amazing interview, wise questions for a wise man to delight us

[@filmcourage]

Thanks Max!

[@stradastudio]

Great interview! Great lighting!!

[@laurapascu1922]

Can you maybe make a interview about preperation for acting rehersals and ways of relaxing and prepping actors for rehersals? Like actual exercises actors can do before doing a (specific) scene?

[@MarkWTravis]

Laura, thanks for the request for a new interview/video. I am in the process of making more short videos that support my way of directing actors and your request is a great one. I will make it. Also you can connect with me via my website (tifi.us) where you will find more videos or by email ([e-mail]). Also check out our new KZbin Channel at (kzbin.info) and subscribe so you'll receive notifications of all our new postings. Thanks for writing, Laura. Stay in touch. Mark

[@GnomeInPlaid]

@@MarkWTravis I went and subscribed immediately. Pure treasure chest of wisdom , thank you!

[@mohanacharifilms]

guys just watch this , it's long but it's so informative especially on direction POV 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@filmcourage]

Thanks!

[@CrimeanHorseArcher]

Thx for upload, great interview.

[@shibanizer]

Film courage - best place to learn about filmmaking.

[@mychalsimmons4177]

Wow Amazing

[@rjprofilms6601]

Thanks Film Courage! This is great content!

[@maxbootstrap7397]

To me, this whole "interrogating the character" process is essentially the process of developing the "backstory" of the character. In my opinion, the writer should create a long, detailed backstory for every primary/important character before they even write the screenplay. But at the very latest, they should write every necessary backstory before preproduction begins (because actors need these before they begin to rehearse, if not audition). In other words, don't act, *BE* the character. I like the intention/motivation of actors who like to stay "in character" between shots/scenes (until they're done for the day).

[@afishcalledwanda]

I did that. Not with and for every character. But with the four main characters of my story that I wrote. Each of them got a "miniplay". Their story wound. Their childhood drama. And I hope it worked. A tiny little part of ONE of the characters even moved into the main script, exceptionally. By the way: It doesn't have to be "long" to meet high quality standards; it just has to meet the essence of that person, that character; with each of them, a few decicive stations of their lives.

[@allthingselderly]

Mad cool!

[@amandanield5380]

OMG I COULD KISS THIS MAN! he has the right idea of how to treat a script. I TOTALLY AGREE! whats the point of a producer accepting a script if they just want to have the director change it? its a waste of time and money doing that. and its SOOOOO disrespectful to the original writer.

[@jfrancis6191]

This guy gets it 👍

[@chadchen0513]

I took so many notes that I might as well write the whole interview down.

[@GnomeInPlaid]

I go to the transcript button and copy and paste into a Word sheet, try that. Although I do believe that you remember much more if you write stuff down, it involves more of the brain. But, this way I can print it out and write on it.

[@colstonlchinese]

🔥 🔥 🔥

[@EdRobinson]

1:40:00 interagation

[@tallysblood]

I really like the character interrogation method but the effects tend to have a really short half-life. That's one of the reasons why directing for film is SO much easier than directing for theatre.

[@balintnk]

This is brilliant, thanks film courage! I say this again: I think these guys are talented psychologists in disguise. And I think that's great and risky the same time. As much as I'm intrigued and enlightened by his explanation of the Travis techniqe, as an outsider I can't not have the feeling that it is bit like manipulating people who are emotionally much more vulnerable anyway.. Like when you hear about directors treating actors in such ways off-stage that helps reaching the charachter, but also makes the actor's life miserable. Just an idea.. Thanks for the video!

[@MarkWTravis]

Thanks for your comments and thoughts, Balintnk. I would love to discuss them more. Stay in touch.

[@balintnk]

Thank you for your reply, Mr Travis, I appreciate even the fact that you bothered! I hope you did not take my comment in any way negative. I am more than open to any opportunity to discuss this with you, so for what it's worth, let me kindly invite you for a coffee (or a beer) whenever you are in Budapest, Hungary! Thank you again for the incredible insights! Balint

[@amandanield5380]

Its interesting I asked writers on FB if they agree with the idea of telling a producer that they would like to be kept on as the main writer of the film once the project has been approved and they all seem to think its ridiculous and that once the script is bought they shouldn't have any rights to interfere with the producers decision to change what they wrote. It seemed surprising to me that writers don't want to fight for the right to stay involved in the film project once their work is out of their hands. I think its sad that its become the norm to just submit and then let it go and not care after that. I wouldn't do that. I feel its a wast of my time to write something meaningful to me then be brushed aside for another person to rework my script. especially if a producer has said they liked it when they read it.

[@choose2behappy699]

How do u stage a Charakter in order to achieve the emotions u are After? An example would be delightfull. Thx.

[@Lifeis__power]

I am going to be actress now this is great 😊

[@katharinaharke6907]

This is crazy! So much useful information! Thank you so much! Also does anybody know which Book of Stanislawski Travis is talking about??

[@MarkWTravis]

From "And Actor Prepares."

[@michaelmaccarthy7282]

The man's a genius.

[@nickshadowNL]

41:00 45:10 49:30 (56:00 -)

[@MiguelExhale]

📚 smart guy.

[@The-Beaten-Saint]

FINE = Fucking In Need of Everything

[@andrewizard8285]

Can this be used for writing as well

[@millerfour2071]

2:04:27

[@geraldmosesr9630]

Kubrick never ever worked in theatre...

[@mychalsimmons4177]

Will you be able to get F. Gary Gray in an extensive interview?

[@filmcourage]

We would love to. We'll keep trying. Thanks, Mychal!

[@have_a_good_day420]

An actor’s (director’s, writer’s, etc) main job is to *get out of the way of the CHARACTER* 👆 💡 👆 🤯

[@WonderingPictures]

Duudee his whole intervieww 🤯🤯😑😑😑

[@JohannesBuc]

I think Mark is misrepresenting the approach of Stanislawski a bit. Stanislawski didn't teached method acting. He explicitly saied you can't rely on the character just taking over. His techiniques are more a collection of tasks an actor can do to get to a performance true to the character, even if the character isn't suddenly taking over. And the tasks vary from external tasks to psychological tasks with the intention to get to the core of the character but you don't have to 'become' the character. I just wanted to say this, because in the Interview you get the feeling, that Stanislawski was teaching method acting, what he was not, but I have the feeling that it's not that easy to explain either. (sorry for bad english)

[@thedayisnigh5886]

Mange the scene clear had to ebgage the reader, they didn't have the emotion not why you need to know why

[@v-22]

The characters are not on the page? The action is not on the page? Only a non-writer director would say that. It's all on the page, buddy!