When it comes to communicating, the first thing most actors will tell you is that they want someone who can see the big picture, who motivates and inspires the crew and talent, and who can communicate their vision.
So, aspiring directors, take note! To truly get along with your actors, you need to learn how they think (might I suggest taking some acting classes?). Not only will this ensure easy communication on set, but it’ll also likely guarantee you’ll get the best performances out of your actors.
Here are a few specific qualities you can apply to your directing to really get amazing performances.
Actors want a director they can trust. Director Fritz Lang was rumored to have had live explosives on his sets, real guns and bullets in scenes, and little respect for his actors. Brigitte Helm, who played The Machine Man in Lang’s“Metropolis” received cuts and bruises because of her wardrobe, even catching on fire once.
Yes, this was back in the 1920s but there are still directors who work this way today to “get a performance” out of their actors. But that’s not acting, and it definitely doesn’t create a trusting environment for creativity to come
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