How to Direct Actors: Tips for Working With Actors as a Director

Directing actors is a collaborative process from prep to wrap. Whether you’re on the set of a Hollywood blockbuster or a short film school project, keep these things in mind when working with actors on set:

1. 1. Know who you’re working with. If you’ve never worked with an actor before, research them on your own. You can also call other directors they’ve worked with and ask about their process and how they like to work.
2. 2. Include your actors in your process. If they’re open to it, ask your actors if they’d like to look at your shot list, lookbook, storyboard, or whatever else you’ve done in preparation. This allows them to better serve your vision.
3. 3. Create a calm and respectful environment. Reassure your actors that you’re there for them every step of the way. Try not to yell or raise your voice on set, as it creates unnecessary tension that isn’t conducive to creativity.
4. 4. Be prepared and be flexible. Have a plan for how you want each scene to go, but be able to be spontaneous with different takes.
5. 5. Give your actors space to work. Communicate your ideas in pre-production, talk through things before a scene starts, and give notes afterward. But when the camera is rolling, the actor is in control, and it’s best to let them do a complete take before speaking up.
6. 6. Don’t make actors wait. If they’re called at a certain time, do everything in your power to get them to set at that time. If you’re unable to do so, check in with them as soon as possible so they know what’s going on.
7. 7. Be direct. If you want an actor to do something differently, tell them. Don’t be precious and try to sugar coat anything. Be kind, but be blunt and honest about what you want. Some first-time film directors can be a little timid when it comes time to directing actors, but great actors actively want feedback and guidance. You both have the same goal: making an actor’s performance as good as it can possibly be. If an actor needs a bit of coaching to get there, so be it.
8. 8. Avoid results-oriented direction. For example, don’t tell an actor you’d like them to cry at the end of a scene or say things like “I want the audience to feel ___ .” If an actor is only thinking about a result, this may block them from being able to emote and perform in an organic way.
9. 9. Be aware of your actors’ needs. Sometimes you need to lighten the mood a bit, or the actor needs to step away from the character momentarily. Be conscious and thoughtful of their process so they can give the best performance possible.
10. 10. Listen to your actors’ instincts. If a part of the writing isn’t making sense and the actor is having trouble getting it, consider a rewrite. The screenwriting process must be just as integrated as any other element of filmmaking, whether that’s music, cinematography, makeup, set design, or acting itself.
11. 11. Treat non-actors with the same respect you treat seasoned stars. Some films may call upon non-professional performers such as local residents, high school students, and celebrities playing their real-life selves. Some of these actors come from casting calls and some are intrinsically part of the film. Show these performers respect, and trust that by being on a film set, they will absorb how good actors work and how collaborative the process of making movies really is.
12. 12. Watch the work of other directors and observe how they handle film acting. Do they use certain camera angles (like close-ups or side profiles) to convey certain emotions? Do they appear to embrace improvisation on set? If you study how good directors elicit a good performance from their actors, you can borrow the same techniques for your own film.

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