How to motivate actors to be better?

U

uTurnProductions

Active member
This is more of a leadership thread but it goes into Directing so I thought I'd post it here.

What do you guys do to motivate your actors to be better (if they are unpaid)? What I've noticed in short films, tv shows, and even some features is that actors tend to tire themselves out and get bored after a while. It's not that same feeling they had when we first started shooting. And their performance suffers..


I've been reading many books on motivating people, and one concept is called "reinforcement" - that we should reinforce the actor with something so he/she can understand that we care so much about his/her performance. If it's a no-budget to low-budget shoot (meaning we don't have money for them), how else do you reinforce your actors or motivate them to do better and keep them interested all throughout the project?
 
... feed them... feed them well.

:)


Not exactly the answer you were looking for - but without the essentials covered first, nothing else on set is really going to matter.
 
Threaten to fire them and replace them with their arch rival...Try that out then come back and report what happened.

Dogday.
 
uTurnProductions said:
I've been reading many books on motivating people, and one concept is called "reinforcement" - that we should reinforce the actor with something so he/she can understand that we care so much about his/her performance. If it's a no-budget to low-budget shoot (meaning we don't have money for them), how else do you reinforce your actors or motivate them to do better and keep them interested all throughout the project?
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tell them.
 
I don't know... Certainly not seriously wanting to cause harm or demean them, but it sure is fun to pick on them :)
 
uTurnProductions said:
how else do you reinforce your actors or motivate them to do better and keep them interested all throughout the project?
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The solution is simple though not easy to achieve. Hire actors who are serious about their craft. Run a tight show. Don't waste people's time. Give people the respect they deserve. Make the actor believe that they will come away with something worthwhile. If you do these things it will provide all the motivation everyone needs. Like dogs are a reflection of their owners, actors are a reflection of the production.
 
Ok I'm going to take a stab at this, although I should warn that I have no great experience in narrative work or directing actors. The experience I have had in seeing how certain productions run has led me to believe there are two types of productions. Those that show up do the job everyone knows their roles on set - people tell people what to do and go home.

Then there are these productions where the director is still the director and the hierarchy is still there but every person from PA to leading actor to director to exec producer has the same interest in making this film be the best it can be. They all are aware of the vision and respect it and make it happen however it is that they can. Likewise that director respects their role in the production no matter what it is. Suddenly its everyone's film and not just the director's. To steal a word from Zak - interdependent. So maybe think more along the lines of how can you keep everyone motivated and make it everyone's film. If everyone is pushing 100% at the end of a 12hr day I would guess that energy will keep everyone at the top of their game.

While I'm here making guesses with little to no foundation, I'll guess as to why actors get picked on. Going back to high school (which many adults I know seem to still be in) it was always the geeky drama kids that got picked on (among other factions of dweebs and geeks of course). Perhaps while as a cinematographer/dp/grip one can beef up their confidence and sometimes their perceived ability with fancy cameras and fancy lights or whatevery fancy expensive toy an actor (writer could be easily traded out here IMO too) is judged solely on their ability and skill. Perhaps the vulnerability just makes them easy targets or maybe even a bit of envy from those that lack some confidence.

Once again just me pretty much talking out my ass - would be interested if any agree though.
 
Jeff Anderson said:
Perhaps the vulnerability just makes them easy targets
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I think you're right on target here. Although I think it's perceived vulnerability. Thing is I don't know any actors who are bothered by that stuff. I find it humorous. You tend to get a really thick skin as an actor. Or you don't last long at it.
 
rsbush said:
I think you're right on target here. Although I think it's perceived vulnerability. Thing is I don't know any actors who are bothered by that stuff. I find it humorous. You tend to get a really thick skin as an actor. Or you don't last long at it.
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True definitely a perceived vulnerability - then again perception is reality :)
 
it's not a question of being "better".

your actors should do their work according to what's your perceptions as a director.

fed, respected -- yes -- loved is even better :-)
 
Trust is important. Personally I think it's smart to put some of your work online so actors can see what you've done. A lot of producers/directors hide behind trailers and never show their work and I think it's really hard to establish trust if you don't show anything you've done online or openly. At least when you are starting out your work might not be the greatest stuff out there, but it's yours and it's what you do. I think it's important to have actors who believe in what you do, who trust you and are excited to be apart of what you do. I want actors to see what I've done and if they think it sucks, to openly pass on my projects. I want to know that if they send me their headshot/resume it's after they've seen my work.
 
Capt Quirk said:
I don't know... Certainly not seriously wanting to cause harm or demean them, but it sure is fun to pick on them :)
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ha ha ha smart butt. some day mister..some day!

Luis Caffesse said:
... feed them... feed them well.
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surprisingly...Luis is right on this one because half the time we do a low budget for nothing we also get fed cold crap and that really does make us want to just walk. Napoleon said one very wise thing..."An Army moves on its stomach" and your cast and crew ARE your army!

rsbush said:
The solution is simple though not easy to achieve. Hire actors who are serious about their craft. Run a tight show. Don't waste people's time. Give people the respect they deserve. Make the actor believe that they will come away with something worthwhile. If you do these things it will provide all the motivation everyone needs. Like dogs are a reflection of their owners, actors are a reflection of the production.
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rsbush the more of your replies i read the more i like you! spot on words of wisdom. and just to ditto one part you said...don't waste their time.

i have wanted to (but not done it) walk off a few sets because they brought me in to do something that should have taken a few hours and 12 hours later i am still sitting there waiting. don't bring the actor in for a crew call of 6am if the set up might take 4 hours to prepare. ask your hair, make up and wardrobe department how long they will need to get your actor ready and plan according to that. if you can't pay us much....then wasting our time is dipping in our pocket and stealing our money. that adds insult to injury.

heck...i will come in at 4am if you need me but if you don't call me to set until noon...you just kept me from a possible booking on something else. not to mention killing my beauty sleep...and goodness knows as i turn in to a mature broad i need more of it than ever...ha ha ha

rsbush said:
I think you're right on target here. Although I think it's perceived vulnerability. Thing is I don't know any actors who are bothered by that stuff. I find it humorous. You tend to get a really thick skin as an actor. Or you don't last long at it.
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exactly....and dang is mine thick...well right now from utah cold it's a bit dry but still thick! lol

filmman said:
it's not a question of being "better".

your actors should do their work according to what's your perceptions as a director.

fed, respected -- yes -- loved is even better :-)
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filmman...here here!

grinner said:
They way any hired help is motivated is by their payment.
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grinner,

that is true and let me add to that...if they pay is not that good but the part is incredible, that can also go a long way at motivating them. i have worked feature and indie and i do the indie for a few reasons...to help newbies now and then...or because they can pay me and i need the money at the time...but most of all i do them because i often get to play parts that give me 'meat' to work with...or allow me to stretch.

if you give an actor the chance to play something they normally don't get to do...they will often work harder!

that's my two cents anyway!
 
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Gil Bettman has a book called First Time Director.
In it there are two chapters with some very good
info on how to get a good performance out of your
actors. Check it out.
 
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