Directing Actors Privately or Publically

[Gohanto]

Just something I'm working on more with a larger crew around me, but I'm curious how the people here handle the choice of talking to actors in private about characters (i.e. pulling them out of earshot inbetween takes) compared to just tossing ideas out in the middle of the set where everyone can listen in.

 

[Kess]

Praise in public, discipline in private and then determine where your discussion falls in between those two end points. I feel it depends on the communication you have with your cast and crew. How open are you with everyone? What is the discussion about...is it something that everyone needs to hear...if not then feel free to pull them aside to discuss. If it involves movement within the frame, etc. then your crew needs to know about it. Many factors will determine how you communicate with your cast.

 

[NinjaVsPenguin]

If it's about the performance at the moment, I'll give them direction. Isn't that the point of the director?

If it's deep character type stuff, it should've been handled during pre-production, where you sat down with your actor to talk it through. But we don't always get that chance. If it's a quick thing, I'll do it on set. If it'll take some time and won't affect the current scene, I'll wrap first before talking.

If it's an attitude issue, then I'll tell my team to take 5 while I talk to them briefly.

 

[Roypercy]

Sometimes, especially with moments that are hard for the actor for one reason of another (either emotionally difficult or just something they have trouble bringing themselves to do) I'll go up and have a whispered conversatio with them. I find it makes the actor feel like I recognize their struggle and am treatig it with more importance. It's also good if you want one actor to do something that will surprise the other actor/s in the scene.

At other times, you want everyone in the room to be on the same page and know what you're going for.