How to Direct Actors - Directing Advice from the Greats

[@StudioBinder]

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

[@prateeksingh3697]

Please make a video on shutter angle

[@auguststafford]

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.

[@auguststafford]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Agreed!

[@johnnyray5515]

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.

[@seltonk5136]

I will put up with burps

[@NIND-r6u]

Or often actors are not enough potential to deliver the level of director what he wants. This is personally what I have faced.😅

[@IgorDoval]

StudioBinder is the filmmaker school we need. Thank you for everything. ❤

[@Flufferio]

Preach!

[@sadetwizelve]

Dude…As good as this channel is,it isn’t close to film school,if you’ve ever been,you’d know that.

[@hornet718]

Agreed!!!

[@bentleysharu8507]

​@@sadetwizelveI'm in my final year of film school and I'm here to say studiobinder is more than valid

[@Flufferio]

@@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.

[@kimi9572]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

He knows how to bring out the best in them!

[@spinsandneedles]

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.

[@kjh23gk]

I feel like the opposite is George Lucas. Just look at the leaden performances he elicited from his actors in the prequel trilogy.

[@spinsandneedles]

@@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.

[@seltonk5136]

Every movie should have tits and burps

[@Osmone_Everony]

16:11 "Don't ask me. You as an actor should know more about this character than anybody else". That's a brilliant argument!

[@peterfrank3365]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@BW-81]

AI will take care of this soon enough, which is unfortunate.

[@rbagas3457]

@@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?

[@BW-81]

@@rbagas3457 I’m referring to extras (background actors) that are already being replaced by CGI and, unfortunately, will continue to be as technology advances.

[@desireandfire]

@@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

[@dr.dharmesh.bhadja]

In just few minutes, i saw greatest actors, directors, collaborators... such a nicely crafted video StudioBinder!

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked them!

[@movielover828]

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. 🙂💯

[@StudioBinder]

Nice!

[@philiciencasimir8015]

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 ).

[@harikrishnanu1451]

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

[@StudioBinder]

We'll be waiting!

[@JoshLange3D]

20 min from you guys is like an entire course

[@StudioBinder]

That's the idea ;)

[@SheearaAlaska]

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

[@태이씨]

Same here. Tate, from the middle of nowhere.

[@StudioBinder]

Happy filming!

[@stephenwilliams3807]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Definitely a dark time haha

[@stephenwilliams3807]

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.

[@smepable]

I ve Been watching StudioBinder for years now and the videos still have interesting subjects and the quality of Presentation ist second to none

[@StudioBinder]

We're only getting better!

[@OzanBurada]

"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.

[@StudioBinder]

It's all in the details

[@lifewalklens8447]

I rarely miss any of your clip here on KZbin 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

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@lookintok]

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.

[@alarmclockentertainment]

A very much needed content. I was looking for it all over KZbin, and I am glad StudioBinder chose to make this episode. Thank you!

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@rayancedrichaddad1197]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@Warrior1Spartan]

I'm currently in pre-production for a short film I'm going to be directing in a couple of months (hopefully). I am so freaking nervous, and this video helps a lot with that. Thanks!

[@muhammadarish1304]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Good luck!

[@moviegoerfacts]

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. ❤

[@kaushiqpradeep7774]

I will say that man with respect

[@DonovanFrancisDaniel]

Insha Allah

[@StudioBinder]

💖💖

[@NoobDirector]

Thank you studio binder for starting this series where we can also learn directing an actor. Will there be any series on acting only?

[@andriivedmid]

We haven't heard the person narrating this one in a while, love you!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@ashleylodewyk7454]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Happy filming!

[@siddharthnath7917]

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

[@eunicedake9456]

Studio binder, I can't thank you enough for your great help. I appreciate you.🙏🔥

[@Thespeedrap]

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.

[@rebelcat9956]

I think one of the most incredible directors who knows how to directed his actors are Paul Thomas Anderson, great video ❤

[@osricen]

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!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Nambshootam]

A director and his actors on the same page is a hit

[@StudioBinder]

Part of the movie magic!

[@Kennethmarchant9705]

Studiobinder, your guys are awesome and amazing!!! Many thanks to all the work you put in.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@CluelessIndianGamer]

I'm so in love with this KZbin channel!❤

[@StudioBinder]

Love our viewers!

[@akibtafhim]

This video is one of my favourite ones of this channel.

[@StudioBinder]

Great to hear!

[@mikhail5428]

*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*

[@StudioBinder]

Interesting thought

[@mikhail5428]

@@StudioBinder *Thanks*

[@andivax]

Great video! Very helpful for me as music recording producer. Hello from Ukraine❤

[@jesaiahobogbaimhe2904]

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

[@sushinskiy]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@jd0808jd]

Such amazing work! Greatly appreciate this videos!

[@StudioBinder]

👍👍

[@PakeSalmon]

I love studiobinder and all I learn!

[@StudioBinder]

Love hearing that!

[@BourgeFilms]

Thank you for this. I’ll always keep learning how to be the best film maker I can be!

[@StudioBinder]

Happy filming!

[@stackspace]

I appreciate this channel always remembering Toni Collette from Hereditary. Something Hollywood failed to do.

[@felgrandd5483]

This video is perfect... that voice... all the info... everything! I love it.

[@StudioBinder]

😁😁

[@stevgatera]

@studiobinder You guys are absolutely incredible. Thanks for the hardwork that went into this. This really spark so much inspiration in me.

[@StudioBinder]

Hope it helps!

[@dreamweaver.productions]

So good, shooting our first feature. I'm an actor getting ready to produce and this is very helpful.

[@KevinLosani]

"Being good at giving notes is also knowing when NOT to give a note" - best advice in this video

[@StudioBinder]

Requires sharp instincts but very important

[@NIKONGUY1960]

Every time I watch one of your videos, the money I would have spent for film school I can put into production. Winner!!

[@StudioBinder]

That's the goal!

[@bibhuranjandutta470]

One of the best video.... please make video on using light meter and information regarding shooting on celluloid

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@catharsis7672]

Oh Yeah! the voice is BACK!!!! Love it!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@4arjunkvt]

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. 😊

[@Hitchfred_Alcock]

Thank you again for all your work and these videos and all future videos to come. :-) Can't wait!!!!

[@StudioBinder]

More on the way :)

[@peterkalyabe7553]

Ladies and gentlemen; he's back.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@pratikgoud1]

I don't skip ads on studiobinder videos

[@StudioBinder]

💯

[@salemslotandmore8278]

Thanks for the Video 😀

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@salemslotandmore8278]

✅@@StudioBinder

[@drewo.127]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Good luck!

[@drewo.127]

@@StudioBinder thanks!💖

[@4200Shields]

I always liked the quote: “Treat actors like stars, and stars like actors”

[@StudioBinder]

Nice

[@digvijaynetkar1377]

Great content as always, really Love and appreciate you.❤

[@TheJoStephan]

Love your Narrator’s Voice ! 👌🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@StudioBinder]

🙌

[@directorsamdawjee8617]

Best Film School Ever Existed...Thankyou for efforts making it easier for Indie Filmmakers to learn making films.❤❤

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@Thespeedrap]

Thank God for KZbin who needs film school when you can just watch KZbin.

[@oj_solomon_]

Thank you Studio Binder, I love you

[@hii9918]

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.

[@LuisSierra42]

Both the Cohen brothers and David Fincher can be pretty controlling as well

[@StudioBinder]

Yup, and the actors love him!

[@Taugtaug]

You have the best voice in KZbin!

[@StudioBinder]

🙏

[@pollitorsiones]

i absolutely love this channel

[@StudioBinder]

We love our viewers!

[@natnaelbayuligne6213]

Great knowledge about our life keep it up we need more and more knowledge thanks for all the knowledge

[@pratikgoud1]

Excellent video, Thank you for such informative content

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@anthonylaudati]

When you have a long dialogue scene involving two primary characters, but also two or three supporting characters, after you've shot the coverage of the two primaries, do you film the entirety of the scene again with each of the supporters for their reactions, or just do bits and pieces with each to save time?

[@StudioBinder]

Depends on how you block them. If they're all far apart and don't move, perhaps. But what if a supporting enters the frame of a primary, or you seat them behind them with a deeper focus on the lens?

[@anthonylaudati]

@@StudioBinder Good point, thank you so much!

[@jasminekaram880]

Depends on the scene. Ideally you could get some of the minor reactions in the master shot, and block it so it becomes clear. I typically with some exceptions shoot the master first.

[@reptongeek]

@jasminekaram880 One notable exception was the TechNoir shootout from The Terminator which was shot without a master. James Cameron got into trouble with Hemdale for it until his editor told them it cut together perfectly

[@jeffreylawrence6928]

Bless Orson Welles, all the actors that were lucky enough to work with him,and film directors to learn from him…

[@Boncomics]

8:55 LOLOLOLOL That Heath Ledger REALLY nailed it. I was so so wrong to doubt his casting. BEST.JOKER.EVER!

[@peterfrank3365]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

The film business haha

[@drshadowsfilms6059]

Great video! Keep it up!!

[@StudioBinder]

Will do!

[@TravisLee33]

Great content here. Thanks for sharing.

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@mortimersnerd8044]

I just can't wait to start directing now that I've seen this KZbin video

[@johnjim6793]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Possibly!

[@dantegataka426]

having a director that you can give trust at is the best!

[@GameWarped]

Reason to live : 1. StudioBInder every week

[@StudioBinder]

😮

[@DaftRebel]

oh yes! with the classic voiceover!!! The reason I'm onboiard!

[@StudioBinder]

Enjoy!

[@albertpinto12]

thanks .. want more videos on this topic.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@EddieLensweiger]

"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.

[@divinevex]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

CC will be uploaded

[@divinevex]

@@StudioBinder Thank you very much indeed.

[@optimisticpictures1691]

WhY People make GOOD ACTING always is about SHOUTING, being SAD, but never HAPPY

[@jakubzajac8585]

Agree, I have also noticed it is much harder to finish a drama with a "happy ending" than with a tragic ending.

[@rtxgaming9109]

Because hate and sadness are the most pure emotion it's hard to act them As happiness and love it can be acted

[@dominikbinder1464]

20:07 in my eyes the best acting performance

[@StudioBinder]

🔥🔥

[@Thespeedrap]

Have a good team around you both in front and behind the cameras.Scorsese and De Niro and Spike and Denzel have good collabs.

[@AhmadAneeq]

the cool voice narrator guy is back!!

[@bollywoodfightactionreacti9189]

Superb Video 😍

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@gavin2761]

David Fincher is really good with directing actors.

[@StudioBinder]

Definitely

[@jankytv4166]

My fav narrator is back😁

[@StudioBinder]

👌👌

[@hirenwaghmare2100]

He is baacckkkkkkk!!!

[@StudioBinder]

Enjoy!

[@peterfrank3365]

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".

[@StudioBinder]

We'll probably cover him more in the future!

[@dadselpstudio2963]

Please update this video with subtitles

[@StudioBinder]

Subtitles are up!

[@hakuzgwanipastories6819]

This is helping Thank you

[@ShowCat1]

Awesome information

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@calvinmatovu3255]

This is nice

[@prateeksingh3697]

Please make a video on shutter angle

[@NucleusMediaMalayalam]

Sir please add the subtitle😊😊

[@StudioBinder]

on the way!

[@RadiantRevenger]

That was excellent

[@samraatdash8236]

How does a director direct an actor, whose role is to act like a director?

[@ericwilliams626]

Easy, the character understands that all the actors are working against him.

[@StudioBinder]

Like their character is a director? I don't think the methodologies change much from what was shown

[@parzemis7145]

Excelent video!!!!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@VortexMelodic]

Beyond Brilliant = Merci 🎥 Binder ✅

[@StudioBinder]

👍👍

[@amarasmithfilms142]

I just started my directing career, and i have a question. Can we be two directors on one set?

[@MaitreyaKavthekarFilms]

Can you make a video on film audio ?

[@StudioBinder]

We might!

[@jermeycombs3602]

Can you make a Video on Camara Movement such as Motivational and Unmotivated Camara Movement.