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Directing Actors

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Acting direction is the art of the director extracting the desired performance from actors – through communication, technique and atmosphere.

Definition

Directing Actors is the director's art of eliciting the desired performance from performers through communication, technique, and atmosphere.

Approaches

  • Result-Directing: State what you want to see ("Be angrier")
  • Intention-Directing: Provide motivation ("You want to hurt her")
  • Action-Directing: Give an action ("Try to make her leave")
  • Adjustment: Small corrections ("More," "Less," "Faster")

Techniques

  • Private Conversations: Not in front of the crew
  • Rehearsals: Time for development
  • Building Trust: Secure atmosphere
  • Improvisation: Finding authenticity

Styles

  • Collaborative: Joint development
  • Authoritative: Clear instructions
  • Improvisational: Freedom to discover
  • Technical: Precise markings
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