quote:

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Originally posted by Svelter

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I don't have many acting friends that live near enough to me to include in a film easily so I have to use some close friends to film everything. The problem is that they don't really act and can't do it very well.

Does anyone know any good methods in teaching, training and inspiring people without the skill to act well without completely deterring them?

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I am just starting out myself as a filmmaker, facing similar issues. But I have read a few books on the matter and what I run across is people trying to 'act' instead of 'react'. Acting seems to be lots to do with reacting to others. That involves listening, being attentive, not as must proactive as some might thing. But I am not an actor. One author says she teachers by having students sit face to face, learn to LISTEN intently, react to what the other person is saying or doing. Also for film, it is much much different than on the stage. For film, the closer the camera is the lower the volume. Loud if far away, talking if closer, just thinking if a facial closeup. On stage the actor is always shouting, talking loudly, because it is necessary.

Linux, the choice of a GNU generation.
http://subzerolinux.org

There was a similar thread about this sort of thing recently. I've heard some folks say that you rehearse, rehearse, rehearse and you can get actors to say the lines without thinking and it will work out well. I've heard others say that creates a stale performance and that getting them to improv some or most of the lines is a better way. I suspect it depends upon your cast.

One thing you can tell amateur actors is that you will be cutting a lot so they don't need to get through the big scene in one take. If you get the beginning of the scene on take 3 and the end on take 78 you can make it work. This will help them relax somewhat which should help. Remember that you need them to be consistant in movements so you don't have arms flailing up suddenly when you cut to another shot. You also need to do a variety of shots. Closeups of each speaker, midshots, master shots so you have something to cut with. Add to that the closeup of an actors hand, or the cat, or whatever because you never have enough coverage.

Another thing you can tell your amateur actors is that they should speak slowly. For some reason people tend to speed up when they are afraid. That and they should let the other person finish before they start so you don't have overlapping dialogue screwing up your cuts.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

This sounds really familiar. None of my friends are actors and none of them are really interested in acting, yet they are my only cast and crew. My method is to tell them not to be the character, but to be themselves. Instead of trying act as someone else, be yourself in "this" situation. Tell them to read the script only to find out what happens in the story. Then let them act it out using their own personalities. You get a much more natural performance and everybody looks like a great actor. It also helps to know your friends and how they really are. That way you can cast them in the right roles.

"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

Yeah, I actually write my scripts so that the character they're playing is pretty much them, although sometimes it only translates as 'how I see them' and not 'what they think of themselves'.

It's tricky though, getting them to read the script. People aren't as literate these days so trying to get someone to read a screenplay isn't as easy as it sounds and you can't force them to because they're doing this for you out of nothing put their own kindness. It's almost a dilemma and I've heard all sorts of excuses like "I read it but I didn't get the storyline" and "I had a read through it at 3am then forgot it all", which are both total lies, I know.

So far I've done my best to make filming fun, and emphasise the rewards from festivals and fame. I should do some rehearsals sometime but I'd have to make them fun too.

Any more ideas?

___________________________________
You can't keep 'em out, they're already in!

My opinion on the matter is simple, keep it simple. If you give them the option to improvise here and there as they see fit, then they will feel more comfortable and not be as self conciouse, as the would be if they were trying to get 100% of the dialogue 100% right. I feel asking them to stick to your the original dialogue the whole time is a daunting aspect for some one who isn't used to having a camera in the face. Now that said it dosent mean that they should just do what they want for the whole film, thats not what directing is. As long as you get a good performance that leads in the same direction as the story, take control of the power you give them. Its not important that the words arent 100% on the original dialogue. I like to give my amature actors free reign of creativity "My way brilliant, your way better". If i was you I'd have them act it your way first and then give them some responsibility and freedom. Obviousely theres going to be times where you need the dialogue to remain original, other wise I would let them be creative. This gives them a more realistic performance. The brilliant thing about editing is that it dosent even matter if they mess up in the first part of a scene the rest might be useable or even better than what you had planned. I have always demonstrated to my amature actors that editing cancels out mistakes. It makes them feel more comfortable around the camera. Cleary.

www.myspace.com/holteendproductions

quote:

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Originally posted by Shaolin_PHIST

This sounds really familiar. None of my friends are actors and none of them are really interested in acting, yet they are my only cast and crew. My method is to tell them not to be the character, but to be themselves. Instead of trying act as someone else, be yourself in "this" situation. Tell them to read the script only to find out what happens in the story. Then let them act it out using their own personalities. You get a much more natural performance and everybody looks like a great actor. It also helps to know your friends and how they really are. That way you can cast them in the right roles.

Youd do well to listen to him, this is what I ofton do. Probs some of the better advice you will recive about using amature actors. Cleary.
"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

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www.myspace.com/holteendproductions

quote:

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Originally posted by Svelter

Yeah, I actually write my scripts so that the character they're playing is pretty much them, although sometimes it only translates as 'how I see them' and not 'what they think of themselves'.

It's tricky though, getting them to read the script. People aren't as literate these days so trying to get someone to read a screenplay isn't as easy as it sounds and you can't force them to because they're doing this for you out of nothing put their own kindness. It's almost a dilemma and I've heard all sorts of excuses like "I read it but I didn't get the storyline" and "I had a read through it at 3am then forgot it all", which are both total lies, I know.

So far I've done my best to make filming fun, and emphasise the rewards from festivals and fame. I should do some rehearsals sometime but I'd have to make them fun too.

Any more ideas?

___________________________________
You can't keep 'em out, they're already in!

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Are you asking them or telling them to read the script? Cause if your telling them then they are probs not interested because your being too authroitive. When you ask them, make sure that they understand that they only need to get a vauge idea of the story is and that they dont have to know it insideand out, word for word. Other wise they might be under the impression that they have to (Which is a daunting prospect even for trained actors). Cleary.

www.myspace.com/holteendproductions

No, I am asking them, not telling them. I'm very diplomatic about the whole thing and say that it's important they know their character and story instead of the lines.

___________________________________
You can't keep 'em out, they're already in!

There is always the option of posting a notice near a playhouse and or school drama club in hopes of getting some actors. Of course this could create issues of its own as theater acting is different (seems overblown on camera).

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

If it's going to be a good enough movie to use on a showreel, stick an ad in PCR or other actors' magazines and you'll get 500 CVs from trained actors eager to appear in it.

Just be aware that many of them won't be able to act; at least, not movie acting.

Hmm, that might be a bit much for someone who is 16.

___________________________________
You can't keep 'em out, they're already in!

quote:

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Originally posted by rjschwarz

There was a similar thread about this sort of thing recently. I've heard some folks say that you rehearse, rehearse, rehearse and you can get actors to say the lines without thinking and it will work out well. I've heard others say that creates a stale performance and that getting them to improv some or most of the lines is a better way. I suspect it depends upon your cast.

One thing you can tell amateur actors is that you will be cutting a lot so they don't need to get through the big scene in one take. If you get the beginning of the scene on take 3 and the end on take 78 you can make it work. This will help them relax somewhat which should help. Remember that you need them to be consistant in movements so you don't have arms flailing up suddenly when you cut to another shot. You also need to do a variety of shots. Closeups of each speaker, midshots, master shots so you have something to cut with. Add to that the closeup of an actors hand, or the cat, or whatever because you never have enough coverage.

Another thing you can tell your amateur actors is that they should speak slowly. For some reason people tend to speed up when they are afraid. That and they should let the other person finish before they start so you don't have overlapping dialogue screwing up your cuts.

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I wonder, does anybody here have any resources, cheap if possible, that a director could give to actors in a low/no budget film to help them get smart fast regarding acting, as much as possible? Are there a few book titles, or instructional DVDs that would be of use to newbie actors to give them a cheapo crash course in acting?

Linux, the choice of a GNU generation.
http://subzerolinux.org

Not that I know of. Generally if you have unknowns, say friends, you need to write the screenplay with them in mind. What could they do, how do they normally talk, so that they aren't really acting so much. Beyond that, acting is a skill, a craft, and a talent. Some are good at it, some stink. Some stink but could become good with proper direction.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Have you actually advertised for casting parts? if so, where? Cleary.

www.myspace.com/holteendproductions