Directing non actors?

P

pob

Member
(I've done a few searches but nothing came up)

Hi,

Producing a small film, I'll be using mainly non professional actors. I was just wondering if anyone has any tips on directing them?

Thanks,
 
Hi,
The majority of the scenes will be with actors with a little experience, coupled with non actors.
thanks
 
The hardest part is to help actors maintain focus, concentration. Amateur actors tend to overact, exagerate, so the question is how do you guide them to maintain focus on the role and at the same time "be themselfs". Amatuer exagerate, because they feel its "acting". Dont let them do that - it will turn out fake. Help them relax. Does this make any sense? :huh:
 
Actually, my experience is that stage actors, even very, very experienced ones, without sufficient camera training will also overact. If they've had sufficient camera training, they're some of the best actors around, though.

When I'm forced to work with amateurs, I rehearse the living daylights out of them when I can without the cameras around. During those rehearsals, I can be pretty ruthless about anything that seems like "acting." I explain that the camera does all the work. Trust the camera. Anything they feel, anything they react to, will come across only if they are doing it instead of acting it. If I have the time, I will sometimes do ISOs on them with the camera, then play it back so they can see how trying to act makes them look. Then, I work with them on a more natural delivery, shoot that, and show them the difference.

If you have limited time ... well ... you're probably screwed ;-).
 
Mandzo said:
The hardest part is to help actors maintain focus, concentration. Amateur actors tend to overact, exagerate, so the question is how do you guide them to maintain focus on the role and at the same time "be themselfs". Amatuer exagerate, because they feel its "acting". Dont let them do that - it will turn out fake. Help them relax. Does this make any sense? :huh:
Click to expand...

StuOS said:
Actually, my experience is that stage actors, even very, very experienced ones, without sufficient camera training will also overact. If they've had sufficient camera training, they're some of the best actors around, though.

When I'm forced to work with amateurs, I rehearse the living daylights out of them when I can without the cameras around. During those rehearsals, I can be pretty ruthless about anything that seems like "acting." I explain that the camera does all the work. Trust the camera. Anything they feel, anything they react to, will come across only if they are doing it instead of acting it. If I have the time, I will sometimes do ISOs on them with the camera, then play it back so they can see how trying to act makes them look. Then, I work with them on a more natural delivery, shoot that, and show them the difference.

If you have limited time ... well ... you're probably screwed ;-).
Click to expand...

Both of those comments are great, I'll reherse with them as much as i can and i'll watch them like a hawk :)
 
"if the part is not in them somewhere - yer just pulling teeth." Kazan - i like using non-actors - but i make sure i keep the characters close to who they (non-actors or trained actors) are.
 
A neat trick is to have a non actor eating something while saying a line. It will come out sounding very natural. This is from Quentin Tarantino and the dude who made Primer.
 
A tip that has helped me with non-actors: Keep the camera rolling between some of the takes. Maybe they are even listening to your direction for the next take. You will luck into some usable reaction stuff when they are not acting.
 
pob said:
(I've done a few searches but nothing came up)

Hi,

Producing a small film, I'll be using mainly non professional actors. I was just wondering if anyone has any tips on directing them?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

While I suppose it depends what your definition of "professional" is -- it's not usually too difficult to find local stage/theater actors who may be willing to work on your film for very little (if the script is good.) So it's worth reading the theater-reviews from your city's newspaper and find out what local productions are getting good reviews, then go check out the plays, e-mail the PR people at the production company and let them know that you are making a film and ask if you may have the actor's contact information. Give them a call or an e-mail, tell them what you are working on, and ask if they'd consider auditioning -- we've cast "For the Love of God" almost entirely this way.

Use real actors when you can, you'll be glad you did. They are much easier to direct than non-professionals, and they tend to act because they enjoy doing it, not because they are just "willing" to act -- they "like" to act -- the difference is night and day when you get to set. Don't be afraid of "real" actors just because you might be a new director, just be honest and upfront about what you know and what you don't know, and what you want to achieve.
 
There's a difference between non-actors and amateur actors.

Remember what "amateur" means in its true sense, they're doing it for love, not money, so, by definition, they're going to be enthusiastic and *want* to do it.

I've been working with non-actors (Members of my film club), and amateur actors (Members of my am-dram group) and the diference is night-and-day. Mind you, one of my "non"s is showing promise as an actor.

Dave
 
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