Directing Actors: Creating Memorable Performances for Film & Television

Additional Directing Actors: Creating Memorable Performances for Film & Television Information

Directing Actors is a method for establishing creative, collaborative relationships with actors, getting the most out of rehearsals, troubleshooting poor performances, and giving directions that are briefer and easier to follow.

The following issues are discussed:
* what constitutes a good performance
* what actors want from a director
* what directors do wrong
* script analysis and preparation
* how actors work
* the director/actor relationship

Directing Actors is the first book of its kind. Judith investigates in detail the sometimes painful, often frustrating, but potentially exhilarating relationship between actor and director. It provides simple, practical tools that directors and actors can use immediately - and takes the reader on a journey through the complexities of the creative process itself.

Although one chapter is entitled 'Result Direction and Quick Fixes', the tools and suggestions of the book are now superficial band-aids or facile jargon; they are radical excursions into the perhaps most misunderstood artistic collaboration - that of director with actor.

Judith Weston brings to this book twenty years of professional acting and nine years of teaching Acting for Directors. Her students include academy Awards and Emmy winning directors, writers and producers of studio and independent feature films, television episodics and MOWs.

KEY FEATURES:
* The first book to directly address directors about working with actors
* Offers practical techniques in managing the director/actor relationship

What Customers Say About Directing Actors: Creating Memorable Performances for Film & Television:

The best primer on process-driven communication between directors and actors that gets results. Weston conducts class and workshops in the US and Europe. Highly recommended.

Judith Weston.An amazing book. Very insightful on working with actors. I'm an avid filmmaker and this book has been invaluable to my current and will be invaluable to my future success. I thank you Judith Weston for giving a director like me an insight into the actor's process.My favorite part of this book is what grabbed me, the hook, in the first 20 or so pages when Judith lays down a few quick instant tips to become a better director.

I did not find much practical use for it. The book is all over the place. VERY subjective reading. I purchased the book based on the reviews, but was greatly disappointed. I felt it was self indulgent and wordy.

Judith Weston's Directing Actors is the Oxford Dictionary of English for anyone who wants to learn the language that actors and directors speak to each other. It details the work a director must do on their own before meeting with actors if she or he is to be successful in lifting the story to it's most fulfilling expression. Judith Weston's second book, A Film Director's Intuition, minutely describes every fiber in the strands of the rope that the director must finally use to tie all the elements of the writer's subconscious intention and the actor's sub textual imagination together to express the director's vision that Judith's script analysis process produces. Both books are generously peppered with hints on how to best use the little, but valuable time on the set, if that is all you have to spend with the actors.Karen Aschenbach, Director

This book is great for anyone who is interested in filmmaking and directing. It has key points that are very important to think about when producing a film or video. I believe that by reading this book, you will be able to become a better director and filmmaker in the future.