Hi guys,
I’ve directed two short films in the past.
In the last few months I’ve read both of Judith Weston’s books and took an acting class, so all of this “process-oriented directing” stuff is swirling through my mind, but I haven’t internalized it yet. I’m preparing for a longer film over the summer and sincerely want to help actors be “honestly in the moment”, but I have some anxiety:
-I’ve printed out the script and am trying to do scene-by-scene script analysis, looking for facts, images, subtext, etc., but a decent part this script is built off of abstract monologues (think Richard Linklater). I don’t know what choices/adjustments I should come up with for these bits. What other objectives could my actors have besides ‘speaking their minds’?
-Script analysis seems so complex! Is there any simpler ways to go about it (or at least explain going about it) without so many steps?
-I’ve never rehearsed this way. Weston says not to rehearse without rehearsal goals, which come from script analysis. But how do I have a goal, something to work on, if I haven't yet seen how the actors act? It's a chicken and egg problem. How do I start a rehearsal? I definitely want to rehearse to make sure the actors can get used to feeling in the moment with each other, but how much should I as a director do?
-Weston says if haven't ever done warm-ups or improv with actors, then you shouldn’t. But then how do you ever learn to use these techniques? She also says not to "just run through the scenes" repetitively… what should I even do for each rehearsal then?
-Finally, I’m not gloomy, but I’m not bubbling with constant energy either. I’m afraid of either coming across as too quiet/stoic, or talking unnecessarily / trying to sound like a condescending “Weston wannabe”.
Opinions?
I’ve directed two short films in the past.
In the last few months I’ve read both of Judith Weston’s books and took an acting class, so all of this “process-oriented directing” stuff is swirling through my mind, but I haven’t internalized it yet. I’m preparing for a longer film over the summer and sincerely want to help actors be “honestly in the moment”, but I have some anxiety:
-I’ve printed out the script and am trying to do scene-by-scene script analysis, looking for facts, images, subtext, etc., but a decent part this script is built off of abstract monologues (think Richard Linklater). I don’t know what choices/adjustments I should come up with for these bits. What other objectives could my actors have besides ‘speaking their minds’?
-Script analysis seems so complex! Is there any simpler ways to go about it (or at least explain going about it) without so many steps?
-I’ve never rehearsed this way. Weston says not to rehearse without rehearsal goals, which come from script analysis. But how do I have a goal, something to work on, if I haven't yet seen how the actors act? It's a chicken and egg problem. How do I start a rehearsal? I definitely want to rehearse to make sure the actors can get used to feeling in the moment with each other, but how much should I as a director do?
-Weston says if haven't ever done warm-ups or improv with actors, then you shouldn’t. But then how do you ever learn to use these techniques? She also says not to "just run through the scenes" repetitively… what should I even do for each rehearsal then?
-Finally, I’m not gloomy, but I’m not bubbling with constant energy either. I’m afraid of either coming across as too quiet/stoic, or talking unnecessarily / trying to sound like a condescending “Weston wannabe”.
Opinions?