What A Director Should Say To An Actor Before A Scene - R. Ellis Frazier

[@filmcourage]

What do you think of this approach? Is it similar to yours?

[@j.a.velarde5901]

I'm used to being told what the director wants, so this is refreshing; not unheard of. There are many directors who get angry if an actor dares to give his opinion: we are not here to insert our designs, especially since most actors are looking for fame and fortune at any and every cost. People in my profession, given the leeway, will often hog spotlight and twist script to their selfish ends.

[@filmcourage]

Strong comments, thanks for posting!

[@jameskelly6039]

I think that as long as it’s in service to the story and not anyone’s ego, let them play. It sometimes creates gold if someone sees a scene completely different than how the director saw it. At the end of the day, it’s a collaboration and just enjoy the process. That being said, I can understand the drive to “get that shot” you saw in your mind months back and want to see come to life. But…part of being a filmmaker is learning to let go of certain things in service to the overall story. Got to find that balance. Not always easy.

[@jamarwashington6419]

Very great philosophy on directing here. You can tell he really has a good perspective on film making overall. You want good confident energy inside your actors so one should be sensitive to their egos & emotions as not to hijack the energy youre hoping they deliver. Great cooking metaphor as well concerning how editing those performances later on is like the actual cooking of the ingredients you bought(aka the shots & performances you captured on film to potentially edit into the film). Makes sense & brings clarity to the process.

[@charliegreyfilms]

I agree with the spirit of collaboration. But I wouldn’t be so laid back as to let them do ONLY their thing if I in-fact do have a vision… I guess if you work with A listers, they’re extremely intuitive. Also comes from having a good script.

[@j.a.velarde5901]

I agree here as an actor: the script is usually clear, and the "meaning" as well. The director decides and there's no need for an actor to butt in at any level. -- What you're seeing here is a director having to deal with celebrities or primary roles, at the very least. -- Like I said above, actors will hog everything and make it about themselves, given the opportunity.

[@StansburyStudiosInc]

For most theater actors, that will be true, simply because in the main run of a play (and foe most of their training) it IS all about the actors, since the director isn't usually present, after rehearsals and open - and maybe occasional performance, to watch and give adjustments. However in a pro film set, well.. there's a way of thinking that goes, if you hire a pro anything else, you hire them because they have been trained and are qualified to do the job in the way the creative team approves. So why not let them do their jobs? Adjustments, sure. If needed. Micromanagement isn't too effective in this environment - unless it's non-fiction, perhaps.

[@pitpride1220]

It's mainly framing it so they're included. Asking them what they think. What the character is feeling. What they want. What if this happened and that happened? How do you think the character would proceed? Or maybe...I think it's possible this occurred, how are you interpreting that? You're controlling the conversation in a way and framing it to where they have input. But they're going to come to your conclusion. I also listen to great ideas. I just try to be vulnerable with them and generally stay out of their way. Unless something isn't clear or they're struggling. It's just small adjustments and conversations.

[@charliegreyfilms]

@ I agree 100%, it’s an art and definitely collaborative. These questions are all accurate and for sure its good to take the actors interpretation and find a good point where it comes off naturally. The “how do you see it playing out” is a great way to get the conversation going. But if you’re directing, maybe I’m crazy and maybe my college was strict about what the job of the director is… I was taught “to direct the attention of the audience towards what is important in the scene and if the actors are doing their job right, you can’t tell that thats happening” my teacher always said. That was 15 years ago maybe? Thats a bit too rigid for me, but this guy is too laid back for me too, which is why I partly, not fully agree with him.

[@pitpride1220]

@@charliegreyfilms I see your point on that. I also agree in spirit with your former professor. If you watch his movies his directing style shows. He makes a lot of movies for the Mexican market. Action mainly. It may be a cultural approach. I've heard that they work quite differently down there. They have a different ethos entirely. I'm laid back, but not in the same ways he seems to be. So I agree with you, that wouldn't be the approach I went with either. We're all on our own islands. So I get a kick of seeing or hearing how other directors work.

[@Jamminn555]

So many great insights from R. Ellis Frazier. Including his view on the world and the power and peace of not trying to over-control anything. And great interviewing and listening by Karen, as usual. Thanks so much for posting. - Ben

[@jimmiheijgelaar5769]

Thank you🎉

[@filmcourage]

Cheers!

[@flaminggmonkeyss]

I like his philosophy

[@VernardNuncioFields]

His method is the direct opposite of Stanley Kubrick's approach to directing.

[@WolverinesProductions]

The optimal approach is probably in between for most people...IME being closer to Kubrick than his approach is the better approach.

[@solizinn]

I thought the same thing hahaha

[@timdanyo898]

Good casting is where it starts.