How To Get A Great Performance Out Of An Actor You've Never Worked With Before - Jesse Harris

[@filmcourage]

For your projects, what has been the biggest challenge of filming outdoors?

[@WolverinesProductions]

The sound - you need to allocate extra time for exterior shots... Traffic, dogs barking, airplanes, etc will kill the sound in your scene

[@WolverinesProductions]

Communication is so key, you really cannot discuss a character enough with your actors...The more they understand the character the better choices they will be able to make in each scene. Really like what he had to say - a few things I would add... 1) I know this is highly contested, but I'm a firm believer that rehearsal is mandatory, and I would recommend going through the script at least a few times if you're on a time constraint. This will give you more freedom and less stress on set. This also comes onto set though - I try to get as many rehearsal takes in as possible on set during camera/lighting setups. 2) (Learned from an acting coach and has worked wonders on my productions) - Four great questions to ask each actor for each scene their character is involved in: (a) What was my character doing right before this scene?, (b) What is my character's goal?, (c) What is getting in the way of my character getting what he or she wants?, (d) What is the consequence for my character not getting what he or she wants? (3) If you have time, improv takes are a great idea - you can get some really amazing stuff from your actors that you could've never imagined. The absolute worst case scenario is that you just don't use the take.

[@ewalichorowicz4614]

Great interview Jesse and Film Courage!🎉 I almost felt as if I was there at the scene when you were describing the conditions in Spain while shooting the movie. I am very familiar with the desert conditions, they are very challenging to say the least. I think that working with people from different backgrounds and different experiences offers some great rewards (building international friendships and learning from each other). 😊

[@TheIronDuke9]

How to get a great performance out of an actor: Have an amazing casting director and let the actors do their job while you concentrate on getting the shots you need. In other words; if the script is good, the casting director is good, and the actor is good, you won't need to direct the performance.

[@Warrior1Spartan]

I'm actually in pre-production for a short film where the climax of the story happens in the desert. That last bit was extremely helpful. Thank you!!!

[@filmcourage]

Best of luck! Here are a couple of older ones on filming in the desert - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ-wn2p8ha5petU and kzbin.info/www/bejne/anyccmh8iMacoZo

[@Warrior1Spartan]

@@filmcourage I'll check those out. Thank you!!!

[@wexwuthor1776]

I'd like to know how much difference if any there is between the audition and filming

[@wexwuthor1776]

First!!! Who said Friday the 13th is bad luck?

[@filmcourage]

Look out for a full moon!

[@HeatherO.M.Headley]

Who knows...there are 13 planetary orbits. Guess you should be scared of them too...SMH😮

[@filmcourage]

Cue the wolf howl...

[@wexwuthor1776]

@@filmcourage Ah-hoo, werewolves of London Ah-hoo Ah-hoo, werewolves of London Ah-hoo