Greetings. My name is Steve. I have a college project where we are producing a news show. We've rehearsed yesterday- a real disaster. Tomorrow we shoot. I am the director, everyone elected me because I wrote the material (script) and frankly I had a baseball cap on... yeah.
Anyway this has been my trouble in past video shoots- the actors have no respect for me. I should say the crew in general. Past times I've worked with nonactors and their faces were not meant for screen time, their acting was nonexistent, yet they followed orders because we were friends and they respected me and knew that what we were doing was important.
Conversely, I've worked a commercial shoot where the actor had the looks, the walk, the ability, but he didn't want to be there, bitched and moaned about the weather conditions, and we ended up losing all our footage because he would not cooperate. However he was the only person available in the schedule's allotted time.
This time I'm working with college grade students (better than your average amateur) who seriously want a career in these fields. At the same time, it still has this high school aura surrounding everything where it is all for kicks and production quality doesn't matter. Someone even says, its just a grade and as long as we do it we get an A, so why go for 110%?
That seems absurd. I shoot for 110%, 99% of the time.
And the crux of the problem is, being naturally shy, are there any tips or advice you all might give that will help me to inspire, motivate, or just plain beat into submission?
-Steve
Post script. We are doing a newscast that is humorous. The script is good ('cause I wrote it :3 ) but the sets are not just low-budget, but no budget. Please help.
I'm in this comedy improv thing and everytime we "rehearse" we just play grab ass with each other and don't get anything done. Joey is the founder of this group but no one listens to him. The main problem is that he's not firm and assertive. I'm probably the only one that listens to him because I know what he's going through.
As for you, grow some balls. Be energetic. Take control by learning how to manipulate the actors. Don't let them know that you're telling them what to do. Learn to put them in a certain mood. You're going to have to speak up and don't be afraid to confront someone. Be subtle at the same time and don't become bossy. Be convincing by being a "friend", but at the same time work them into getting things done. Don't ever ask, just say what you need.Try to get an assistant that can back you up and help you control the actors. It takes people skills to be a good director. For anything specific just ask me.?;)?
"Metal never dies it only hides"- Aaron
"Metal never dies it only hides"- Aaron
Thanks man. One of the problems is coaching the actors at how to enunciate clearly and to put on a facade that is interesting. Should I get in their seat and do it for them as an example? Is that too much? Will that offend them? I don't want to offend the untalented "Talent", because that ire would obviously ripple outward. I don't want to be their enemy, and when I grow my balls I don't want the great, big, fleshy, morning stars flailing around and knocking people down either- I mean being "too" assertive. I think that's my fear. I don't want to create friction.
quote:
This time I'm working with college grade students (better than your average amateur) who seriously want a career in these fields.
To be honest, if they're messing around rather than going 110% for the best result, I'm not sure how seriously they really want a career in movies or TV. It's difficult to direct something when the people involved don't really want to do it.
Somehow I guess you need to raise some enthusiasm among them for doing better.
Well, this may sound ridiculous, but I have a funny story, sometimes, letting them do what they want will be motivation enough.
I am actually allowing a boy on my current shoot to smoke weed in between shots. If we just keep him sufficently baked, he is as tame as a kitten and a great actor to boot. But you get him off that stuff, it takes us an entire day to shoot a 1 minute scene
Maybe you should just take them all out and have a party with them. The more you get on a personal level with them, the more they will be willing to work with you. At least thats what I have found. Be personal. Don't just be the dude in charge, be the cool dude in charge who actually connects with everyone and knows them all.
Odds are 10 to 1 it works. Who's betting? I'm taking bids now...
That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough! I'm going to clown college!
That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough! I'm going to clown college!
quote:
Originally posted by swordofdoom
Well, this may sound ridiculous, but I have a funny story, sometimes, letting them do what they want will be motivation enough.I am actually allowing a boy on my current shoot to smoke weed in between shots. If we just keep him sufficently baked, he is as tame as a kitten and a great actor to boot. But you get him off that stuff, it takes us an entire day to shoot a 1 minute scene
Maybe you should just take them all out and have a party with them. The more you get on a personal level with them, the more they will be willing to work with you. At least thats what I have found. Be personal. Don't just be the dude in charge, be the cool dude in charge who actually connects with everyone and knows them all.
Odds are 10 to 1 it works. Who's betting? I'm taking bids now...
That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough! I'm going to clown college!
That's exactly what it might take. Like I said, learn to deal with the people.
"Metal never dies it only hides"- Aaron
"Metal never dies it only hides"- Aaron
Well today I took your advice and scrambled all of five dollars to buy a box of munchkins from Dunkin D's. I arrive to find that the professor cancled class because of 1/4 inch of snow... rest of campus open... not that class. We're rescheduled March 19th, just a scant 14 days, or 2 weeks after our single, one hour rehearsal.
*sigh* ??:)?
Treat your cast and crew like professionals and expect them to step up and act like professionals. This also means YOU must act professional as well. Be prepared. Very prepared. Overly prepared.
If you ask for opinions try to do it 1-on-1 and not in front of the whole group. Especially with your crew get on the same page beforehand so there is less talk about lighting and blocking in front of the actors. You will all look more prepared.
If you ask for actors opinions wieght them. Even the stupid ones. Have an answer why not, or agree to try it for a take and see if you have the time. It's best to have answers why not ready since you wrote the script. Be willing to let them change your script if the suggestions are funnier but 'after' they get it the way it's written so you have a fallback. What is funny now might not cut or work later.
You must be the rock on the set.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
This is kind of an old post, but I noticed it on a search and it reminded me of a story I once heard...
On the set of Dr. Strangelove, Kubrick had a hard time dealing with George C. Scott, who considered himself a tough guy and thought this comedy nonsense was below him.
Kubrick found out that Scott favored himself as a chess player, so he set up a chess board on set. Between takes, the two would play chess and Kubrick would humiliate him. Needless to say, Kubrick earned his respect.
He had a problem actor, so he found a way to earn that actor's respect. Actors have big heads (just like directors). Don't expect them to always respond well just because you have a folding chair.
A different story about Kubrick and George C Scott, same movie.
Kubrick wanted over the top hammy acting from George C Scott General. Scott wouldn't give it to him. He's a serious actor, the script says everything should be played serious on the front page and everything. Kubrick wanted what he wanted so he convinced George to ham it up for the first stake, slap the belly, loosen things up. Naturally he wouldn't use that take. They'd do the serious takes as many times as required to get the shot. George agreed. In nearly every case Kubrick used the first take.
George C Scott said he'd never work with him again because he never would have given that kind of performance if he'd known it would be used.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
Ahh...Kubrick.
Feel the love.
Yum.
I also thought George C. Scott was a tool and a half.
Kubrick did have a funny knack for having people only work with him once. Look at the Shining and Steven King for example. When King saw the final cut of the movie he almost had a coronary. He was quoted as saying Kubrick "butchered the story beyond belief"
That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough! I'm going to clown college!
That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough! I'm going to clown college!
Yet Arthur C Clarke was thrilled with him after 2001.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
quote:
Yet Arthur C Clarke was thrilled with him after 2001.
That's an unusual situation, as I believe Clarke finished the book after they'd shot the movie. From what I remember it was more a case of making a movie and a book of the same story at the same time than adapting a book to the screen.
Having said how much of a jerkoff George C Scott was on set, and he probably was, I love his performance in Dr Strangelove. Absolutely fantastic- shows the talent of the director to coax such an unusual performance out of an actor.
=========================
There's daggers in men's smiles
Wow, Scott was a madman. Regarding the original post, I agree with rjschwarz about preparation.
I would also add, that if Steve brings passion and focus and intensity to his work (and preparation is a natural result of these things), his actors will recognize this and respond accordingly. The ones who weren't really committed will fall away; the ones who have a commitment of their own will change their approach to match Steve's.
This is how it is as a bandleader. It's hard for people to screw off in that environment; they get ostracized and made to feel "uncool".
That doesn't mean there isn't humor or laughter.
Thanks for the instructive anecdotes on George C. Scott. I had heard he was a womanizer and liked to start bar fights. I agree about his performance in Dr. Strangelove though; I thought it was fantstic.
And I have a question: there is a part in the war room where Scott is admonishing the President for one thing or another, and in his fervor does a backwards flip!
Was that intentional? Because everytime I see it it not only looks spontaneous, it looks as if Scott is surprised by it! And that it takes a moment to get back into character (a short moment).
Was that intentional?
I've always been curious about that.
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