Quote: "An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a production."
The communication and collaboration with actors to elicit strong, believable, and emotionally resonant performances, including guidance on character, motivation, blocking, and delivery.
Script analysis: Understanding the story, characters, themes, and overall message of the screenplay.
Character development: Creating a backstory, personality traits, quirks, and motivations for each character.
Casting: Selecting the right actors for each role based on their acting skills and how well they fit the character.
Rehearsals: Establishing a rehearsal schedule and creating an environment that fosters open communication, trust, and creativity.
Communication: Learning how to effectively communicate with actors and establish a common language for direction.
Blocking: Blocking refers to how actors move around the set during a scene. Working out the visual elements of a scene, such as actor placement and camera angles, can help you direct your actors more efficiently.
Emotion and intention: Understanding the emotional states of your characters and how they convey their intentions in each scene.
Improvisation: Understanding how improvisation can help actors get into the moment, and how to effectively use it in your directing.
Motivation and objective: Helping actors understand their character's motivation and objective in each scene and how they drive the story forward.
Working with child actors: Important considerations for working with children, including legal requirements, rehearsing, and dealing with parents or guardians.
Directing for the camera: Understanding how to use the camera to tell a story and translate the emotion and action of the scene to the audience.
Blocking and staging action sequences: Creating and executing high-octane action sequences that are clear, exciting, and safe.
Working with non-professional actors: How to work with non-professional actors, who may bring a different type of authenticity or energy to a role than a trained actor.
Directing ensemble casts: How to balance the needs of multiple actors in a scene and ensure each character is given the attention they deserve.
Tone and style: Understanding how tone and style can contribute to the overall feel and meaning of a film.
Method directing: This type of directing requires the director to understand and adopt the Stanislavski method of acting. The director works on emotional memory, sensory training and believes that the actors should become the characters to create a more authentic and realistic performance.
Improvisational directing: In improv directing, the director will work with the actors to create a scene or character through improvisation. The director will provide guidelines or a prompt, and the actors will work together to create something new or unexpected.
Collaborative directing: Collaborative directing involves working with the actors to form a partnership. The director listens to and incorporates feedback from the actors, and together they develop characters and scenes.
Storytelling directing: This type of directing focuses on the overall impact of the story. The director creates an experience for the audience that immerses them in the story and emotion of the characters.
Technical directing: Technical directing focuses on the technical aspects of performance, such as blocking, lighting, sound, and camera angles. The director might rely on the technical elements to enhance the story.
Auteur directing: This type of directing considers the director as the primary creative force behind a film or production. The director has a specific style and vision that is consistently present in their work.
Collaborative directing: Collaborative directing relies on working with the actors to build a strong relationship through dialogue and feedback.
Visionary directing: Visionary directing aims to create an extraordinary and artistic experience. The director uses their imagination to create a unique world and atmosphere.
Intuitive directing: Intuitive directing relies on the director's instincts and creativity to guide the actors.
Instructional directing: Instructional directing involves specific instruction to the actors on what they should be doing throughout the filming process.
Quote: "The actor performs 'in the flesh' in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television."
Quote: "The analogous Greek term is ὑποκριτής (hupokritḗs), literally 'one who answers'."
Quote: "The actor's interpretation of a role—the art of acting—pertains to the role played, whether based on a real person or fictional character."
Quote: "Only men could become actors, and women's roles were generally played by men or boys."
Quote: "While Ancient Rome did allow female stage performers, only a small minority of them were given speaking parts."
Quote: "The commedia dell'arte of Italy, however, allowed professional women to perform early on."
Quote: "Lucrezia Di Siena, whose name is on a contract of actors from 10 October 1564, has been referred to as the first Italian actress known by name."
Quote: "Vincenza Armani and Barbara Flaminia [were] the first primadonnas and the first well-documented actresses in Italy (and in Europe)."
Quote: "After the English Restoration of 1660, women began to appear onstage in England."
Quote: "In modern times, particularly in pantomime and some operas, women occasionally play the roles of boys or young men."