Acting and audio are the two primarily areas that student films fall short in. Audio because it's just not a "sexy" job, no one was ineterested in it in my class, even though bad audio will torpedo your film.
In the more famous film schools, the production value/camera work is pretty good. Unfortunately, acting gets short shrift from most film students; as they are much more enamored with the tech aspects... camera, lighting and cool shots than with performance. Furthermore, acting is a complex discipline that most directors don't understand that well.
I agree with others that directing actors is the hardest part, as opposed to a light or camera an actor talks back and may challenge you, some require different methods in order to deliver a great performance. However, no amount of direction can save a bad actor, you might be able to minimize it but you are making your work 10x more difficult by casting someone who can't act.
Having said that, I also believe depending on your location, time, and budget you may simply not have access to really good actors and may have to settle for someone inferior because you have to shoot in a week. Give yourself ample time for casting.
In the more famous film schools, the production value/camera work is pretty good. Unfortunately, acting gets short shrift from most film students; as they are much more enamored with the tech aspects... camera, lighting and cool shots than with performance. Furthermore, acting is a complex discipline that most directors don't understand that well.
I agree with others that directing actors is the hardest part, as opposed to a light or camera an actor talks back and may challenge you, some require different methods in order to deliver a great performance. However, no amount of direction can save a bad actor, you might be able to minimize it but you are making your work 10x more difficult by casting someone who can't act.
Having said that, I also believe depending on your location, time, and budget you may simply not have access to really good actors and may have to settle for someone inferior because you have to shoot in a week. Give yourself ample time for casting.
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