how to control egoed actors

Steve Laramie

Steve Laramie

Veteran
Im a first time director (of a professional film) I am taking the step up from DPing. Any advice on how to control an actor with an ego? Im working with an actor who thinks hes better then everyone else and im not sure how to lay down the law on set with him not walking off.
 
Let him walk off or fire him, you are doing your whole production a favor. To many good starving actors out there that don't act that way. Too many talented hollywood actors that don't act that way.
 
Many times the only person an actor will listen to is a director. Don't expect them to even acknowledge the existence of anyone else on set.

You need to pull this guy aside, and patiently remind him of the chain of command and that you need him to cooperate with your directions. You will not cure him of his ego; don't even try. Actors need egos to survive.

These pep talks happen in Hollywood as well....Darren Aronofsky had to have a little sit down with Mickey Rourke on the film "The Wrestler". What did he tell him?

"Number one, you'll do everything I say. Number two, you'll never disrespect me in front of the crew".

Wow.....just....Wow.

Balance your speech, feed his ego a bit in the beginning if you have to to make sure he doesn't bail, especially if you've already shot scenes with him. Maybe say something like "I'm loving your work. It rules! But....."

You get it.
 
Lairhair,

I have to tell you how wrong I was, I do not have the ability to work with people like that, my fault, I gave you bad advice.

Adam is probably one of the few class acts around here (sometimes, ha!:))...

Only kidding about sometimes.

If I were you i'd take his advice, I tend to be more of a person that wants things done my way.

My bad on this one.

And Adam, why the hell didn't you give me that advice earlier?
 
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Here´s what an "old hand" director once told me:

Use what we call a "Sugar Whip" in Germany.

1. Break him in:
If he acts up, slap that whip across his face several times by telling him how bad he´s acting, and that the whole crew has to work late just because of him , let him do scenes over and over till he almost pukes, act disapointed, freak out in front of the crew and shout that you can´t go on working that way, throw a chair (or whatever you find) around, leave the set, slam the door and and let him standing there, with a baffeled crew looking at him. (thou it´s hard to get the right balance here).

2. Build him up again:
Here comes the sugar part. Just bevor he looses his self confidence (and his ability to act at all) tell him, that you know that he can do it, if he really tries, praise the scene his doneafter that(no matter how bad it was- you probably have already several good ones anyway), tell him in front of the crew how good he is and things like that.

After that you got him wrapped around your little finger.

All that takes a good portion of knowledge, feel, self confidence, experiance, acting and psycology.
If you are not good at these - don´t even try.

Frank
 
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is he disrespecting you and not following your direction? is he trying to do other people's jobs in front of them? or undermining your authority on set with the crew members?

If that is the case pull the guy aside and explain the chain of command to him. If he doesn't want to comply and be professional give him the boot (if that is an option) or remind him about his contractual agreement to be part of the production (assuming this is professional as you say, I'd think there is a performance agreement signed).

Then again, if he is just an egotistical prick, but is delivering what you need... grit and bare.. and put up with it.
 
Loki
Then again, if he is just an egotistical prick, but is delivering what you need... grit and bare.. and put up with it.
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Especially if that's the role he's playing. LOL

There are three considerations here:
1) Is he a name?
2) Are you paying him his going rate?
3) Is he SAG and does he have an agent?

Then, call his agent. His agent will straighten him out real fast. His agent will either show up on the set and pull him aside and talk to him, or he'll call him on the set and chew him out. Next time the actor steps on your set, he'll be putty in your hands.
 
Oh, it's one of those things :-)

Well, you've really gotten some good advice then.

You see, another thing is that in twenty years you're going to start having nightmares (we all do these movies we make keep playing in our heads for years to come) and then you're going to kick yourself for not having straightened him out.
 
this is easy, ask yourself if his BS is worth the quality of work he's giving you. is he REALLY better than everyone else or does he just think that?

has too much time and effort gone into the production to replace him?

it's only complicated when money, egos and reputations are on the line. i've dealt with this before on a project where actors weren't getting paid. it aint worth it if he's that big of a problem. if he can't be reasoned with then move on.
 
Hire the Tazer boys for a day!:

taser.jpg
 
This worked for me, once...

No matter how great an actor you are, I need someone I can work with even more than I need somebody great. So you can either work with me, or I'll be obliged to cut you loose to go be great, someplace else.
 
The question hasn't been answered -- what's he doing that's so bad? Is he just arrogant and you want to take him down a notch? Or is he actually interfering with your ability to get scenes shot?
 
lairhair said:
Im a first time director (of a professional film) I am taking the step up from DPing. Any advice on how to control an actor with an ego? Im working with an actor who thinks hes better then everyone else and im not sure how to lay down the law on set with him not walking off.
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Just playing Devil's advocate here, but if you're a first time director it's possible that you aren't giving great directions, and he's questioning you because he knows better.
 
Drew Ott said:
Just playing Devil's advocate here, but if you're a first time director it's possible that you aren't giving great directions, and he's questioning you because he knows better.
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Another question. The OP says the actor "...thinks hes [sic] better then [sic] everybody else..." So? IS he better than the other actors? And even if he isn't, so what?

The important questions are these:

1. Is he giving you good performances?

2. Is he following your directions?

3. Is he interfering with the production?

If he's doing his job and not interfering with you doing your job, then who cares if he has an ego?

If he's causing some significant disruption to the production, then give us some details and we might be able to help you figure out the best way to proceed.
 
Sorry I have been away from my post. I am dealing with 3 different actors. 1 who is perfect for the part but has the ego! He sent me a huge list of what he demands on the kraft service table and its the most obsered list I have ever seen. He "Does not eat fast food, anything with 4 legs or anything canned or bagged. He doesnt understand the fact that this is a gorilla 2 day shoot. And the last thing I could care about is Kraft services.
 
lairhair said:
Sorry I have been away from my post. I am dealing with 3 different actors. 1 who is perfect for the part but has the ego! He sent me a huge list of what he demands on the kraft service table and its the most obsered list I have ever seen. He "Does not eat fast food, anything with 4 legs or anything canned or bagged. He doesnt understand the fact that this is a gorilla 2 day shoot. And the last thing I could care about is Kraft services.
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He's perfect for the role, and he's a vegetarian. Big deal. Craft service is an important part of taking care of your people -- especially if you're not paying them. "Meals, credit and copy" is all a lot of folks will ever get. So take good care of them, and they'll take good care of you.
 
lairhair said:
Sorry I have been away from my post. I am dealing with 3 different actors. 1 who is perfect for the part but has the ego! He sent me a huge list of what he demands on the kraft service table and its the most obsered list I have ever seen. He "Does not eat fast food, anything with 4 legs or anything canned or bagged. He doesnt understand the fact that this is a gorilla 2 day shoot. And the last thing I could care about is Kraft services.
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I'd drug test him.

You cannot be a hypocrite so you'll also be peeing in a cup.

Trust me on this one, it'll keep him sharp for his time on your set if you choose to keep him on.

If not use that excuse when you want to see him very nervious for a scene.

works like a charm.

EDIT: From what I was told :)
 
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