I’ve been asked to speak to a group of actors about directing oneself for a self-taped audition. Prepping for the event, I am reminded of what I hear directors saying to each other more and more. “Beware the self-taped audition. The take you’re watching of an actor’s audition might be great, but it might have taken the actor 20 takes to get there.” The way to know is whether the scene and the actor look well rehearsed. If they do, then directors should be careful about casting that actor. There is a difference between being well prepared and being well rehearsed. Being well prepared means having the skills to deliver a scene quickly and effortlessly while bringing the character to life. It’s the opposite of rehearsing.
Rehearsing for camera is a bad idea because it’s very difficult for the well-rehearsed actor to fool the camera into thinking that truly spontaneous emotion is happening, which is what is meant by the phrase, “You can’t lie to the camera.” Directors also take note.
The above is why rehearsing on camera is a “bad” idea. Here is why rehearsing on camera is a “dangerous” idea.
The filmmaking process is the process of
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