Handling an Actor Trying to Direct?

Z

zackhosseini

Member
My situation is somewhat unique because of my age.

I am in high school, but I do some pretty major projects for companies, this was for a commercial for a national cheese dip product. These were two actors who were working unpaid. Unfortunately, I was hired last-minute and was unable to audition them or meet them until the day of the shoot. I introduced myself and one seemed like a seasoned actor, while the other seemed new and somewhat an amateur.

Meanwhile, we start shooting and I see the experienced actor coaching the new actor on a way to say his lines. I think "Okay, she's giving him advice." Then it goes a bit too far. She starts telling him, and I quote, "We're going to open in a wide shot and you're going to come to this mark here. We'll then cut to a medium shot of you..... blah blah blah."

Whoa. Okay, so I go over to them and explain how it will really happen. This happened a few more times and she was focusing on how he was saying her lines and messing up hers, so I told her "C'mon, you need to focus on your lines. I'll worry about him." I couldn't really get angry and explain it strictly to her, I'm sixteen and she's a volunteer in her late twenties. So I said it nicely and she said okay. Ten minutes later, I direct the extras and then she starts counting down "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, action." and the extras started their scene. I lost it and promptly shouted "CUT! She doesn't count you guys down - wait for my cue!" though the extras could tell my anger wasn't towards them, but towards her.

Has this ever happened to you guys? How do you deal with it?

--
Zack Hosseini
 
This hasn't ever happened to me, but if things went down as you describe, then it sounds like you handled it properly.

If it were me, I'd immediately call a meeting of cast and crew, including extras. I'd basically tell them "I'll give the directions. I'll determine the shots. And I'll be the one to call 'Action!' I expect everyone to do their jobs and let me do mine."
 
I wouldn't recommend that at all. You had a single person trying to undercut your authority, you deal with that person directly. Sounds like everyone else was onboard, no need to explain anything to them.

Your best tactic, I think, would be to take that actress aside and explain "listen, I understand you are here unpaid and I appreciate you helping us out. That said, I need you to focus on your own work and let everyone else do theirs. You are here to act, I'm here to direct. Do we have an understanding?". In other words, some postiive reinforcement, then a firm directive.

Clearly, the actress was frustrated with the way the shoot was going. I'm sure she's done some directing of her own, from the sounds of it. Not having been there, I can't say whether she had a right to be frustrated or not. For the record, the only reason to do a countdown to action is if there are mechanical effects or the like that require specific synchronized timing. And extras don't get cued on "action"--the command is "background".

Out of curiousity, what kind of commercial doesn't pay the lead actors? was this a spec or a Poptent-type venture?
 
I see both of yours' points. I guess it really depends on the situation.

I don't see why she would have been frustrated. We were moving at a very nice pace, except for when she would direct something and I would have to explain to everyone she gave them wrong direction and then give them the right direction...

Also, the countdown was because they were extras but on cue they were to all shout some dialogue. They were playing an audience.

The actors were working for experience and demo reel footage. I was also told they were family friends of the company's owners. All of the actors and extras there were friends of the company's owners (from what I heard, and much to my distaste), but the two leads I believe had some acting experience, from what I could see at least.

Nonetheless, thanks for your opinion, both of you. Hopefully it won't happen again.

Also - Charles - thanks so much for mentioning Poptent in your post. I had never heard of it, and it seems like great opportunities!

Zack
 
What I wasn't specific about, Zack, that probably I should elaborate on, is that you will inevitably face a bit of an ongoing battle having people take you seriously as a 16 yr old director. I was one myself and it was an uphill battle sometimes (I was referred to "the kid" by more veteran crew members until my early 30's). The best way to survive this is by giving no-one a reason to question your age/experience other than by that which you can't help, which is your appearance. A veteran director is not going to announce to the company that he is the boss, he gives the commands etc etc., and it would sound even worse coming from a young director.

At some point you will hopefully get to enjoy the benefit of having a good AD who will manage the background for you...!

Had to chuckle over the Poptent thing--yes, in your situation it is indeed a good opportunity. For those already in the industry, it is nothing short of abhorent, but that's a whole other conversation.
 
Thanks for the advice Charles. Yes, I've always thought it'd be quite stress-relieving to have an AD haha.

Yeah I didn't really see Poptent as a way to get a lot of paychecks or attention, but just some great practice - which I'm always looking for.

Thanks again!

Zack
 
Internet commercial, but I said the exact same thing when I got to the set. I think they must have thought any actor is as good as another (wow, okay), but I think the amount of takes we had to do for the freaking lead to remember his SIMPLE, SIMPLE lines made my point clear that they need to invest in good actors.

With that being said, I plan to do more work with the company in the future, and they're putting me in charge of casting... thank God.
 
I dealt with something similar on a short film I directed earlier this year. Every situation will be different, but it's best to deal with these issues directly, promptly, and discreetly. Directing is not just about making good art, it's about keeping on schedule and anytime you have an issue like this it is very literally costing money.
 
Indeed quite an assumption Tolin. I was directing my vision, the actress was trying to basically tell the other actor to follow her direction and her vision rather than mine.

I think perhaps it was just an actress who had interest in being a director... she should get hired as a director for her own commercial then, not steal mine haha
 
+10 gonzo, but I would've quickly auditioned from the extras to fill the vacancy.

You give them a warning. Not an apologetic request, a warning. Something like "you're making my job harder. If you don't stop directing the other actors right now, I'm going to make my job easier by replacing you. You need to decide if you want to keep this acting job or not."

You're sixteen, so this is a great time to learn this. When you direct, no matter how collaborative of an artist you are, you are still The Boss. When someone tries to take your authority, you have to stare them down or fire their ass. If you don't, you will lose the respect of the whole crew. You don't have to be a jerk about it, but you need to be firm and don't back down.

P.S. -- good for you for directing TVCs at 16!
 
FWIW - I dont think directing or management for that matter is about wielding authority. You need to find solutions to issues. Discuss with them what the issue is and ask them thoughts on how to resolve it and then encourage them to create solutions - even solutions you put forward. Let them take ownership of the solution and if it fails they hold the bag. Once you've gone through that process then a warning should be given, quietly and frankly if the issue persists. Management is not about wielding a totalitarian staff over the cast or crew its about creating buy in / teamwork / a positive environment / solving problems etc.

In addition to that however from a direction stand point - most of the direction I do takes place before shot one. At the shoot its my job to assist when they need a hand / make people comfortable so they can get on and do their job.
 
It's not "about" wielding authority, HOWEVER, it's impossible to do the job UNLESS you wield authority. It's not a democracy, we are not doing this by consensus. It is a benevolent dictatorship. I am willing to listen to and consider your input (given through the proper channel in the proper way), especially in your area of expertise, but when I ask you to do something a certain way, you will do it that way, period, or I will find someone that will and you'll be driving home.
 
gonzo_entertainment said:
It's not "about" wielding authority, HOWEVER, it's impossible to do the job UNLESS you wield authority.
Click to expand...

No, it's impossible to do the job unless you have RESPECT of the cast and crew. When you get to the point where you have to 'wield authority', then you're already halfway towards chaos.

And I disagree that it's a 'benevolent dictatorship', although that's certainly the way some directors and producers handle it. To me, it's a TEAM. Which doesn't mean it's a democracy, and it doesn't mean it's 'filmmaking by committee'. It means everyone works together and feels integral to the process. As a director, you can either be a team leader or you can be a dictator. Sometimes you have no choice. But in my view, you should always -- ALWAYS -- strive to be a team leader first and foremost.
 
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