Jodie Foster’s 10 Tips for Directing Actors

Whether you're prepping your first indie short film in film school or you're about to direct your first feature film for a major Hollywood studio, Jodie Foster has some good advice for directing actors before you roll cameras.

1. 1. Think of directing as parenting. “I often talk about this analogy that good directing is good parenting,” Jodie says. Like an attentive parent, a great director provides both flexibility and structure. Allow your actors freedom while also providing direction to help them give their best performances. For example, be clear about what your goals are for each take or each scene so the actor knows what to expect. Reassure your actors that you are there for them every step of the way so that they feel safe and supported. At the same time, allow space for your actors to take risks and fail, or to take risks and succeed.
2. 2. Allow actors to complete the take before giving them notes. "The director can't really intervene between action and cut," Jodie says. "That really is the actor's responsibility." While you’re rehearsing, you have more flexibility, but when the camera is rolling, the actor is in control. Let them finish a complete take. Keep mental notes during the actor’s performance, and wait to communicate your ideas until the take is over.
3. 3. Be concise when communicating. “The actors just need specificity,” Jodie says. “I really like to keep it short.” Throughout her career, Jodie has noticed that new directors tend to talk too much—they're excited, and they want to provide sufficient information to the actors. As an actor herself, though, Jodie prefers to keep her communication concise. Avoid bombarding actors with multiple notes at once, and instead, ask them to consider one actionable note at a time.
4. 4. Be positive and honest. "The most important thing is to tell the truth," Jodie says. "There's nothing worse for an actor than being lied to by a director." If you don't like a take, you can communicate your critique by tempering it with honest praise. Jodie offers light praise of her actors’ performances before suggesting they try a slightly different approach.
5. 5. Know who you’re working with. “I like to do as much research on a lead actor as I possibly can before I start shooting,” Jodie says. She'll even call other film directors who have worked with the actor. Jodie asks questions like: Are they good about knowing their lines? Do they generally show up on time? Do they prefer to do their coverage first? How do they like to receive notes? Work with your casting director to learn everything you can about your actors.
6. 6. Adapt your directing style to each actor's background. “It might be an overload to give an actor who's really a theater-trained actor all of the tricks of filmmaking,” Jodie says. Instead, tailor your directing approach to their specific background. For example, if an actor comes from a theatre background, they might want to know less about the details of the shots you have planned and be more concerned with the actual acting that’s happening in each take. If they are used to working more on film, give them all the information you have available about your shot list, storyboards, camera angles, and camera movements, so they know if they're in a close-up, medium, or wide shot. And if a good actor is also a talented screenwriter, give them more details on their character's backstory and let them suggest punch-ups to their dialogue.
7. 7. Use your actors' strengths. Even great actors have strengths and weaknesses. When Jodie directed Anne Bancroft and Robert Downey Jr. in Home for the Holidays, she knew that Robert Downey Jr. is a very strong improviser and Anne Bancroft prefers to have everything locked in prior to shooting. By knowing and utilizing their strengths, Jodie was able to get the most out of their great performances.
8. 8. Be thoughtful about multiple takes. “If you're doing 25 takes for no reason except that the director is unprepared, you lose respect for the director,” Jodie says. A common mistake directors make is that they don't always let their actors know what to do differently in each take. This doesn't mean you should give your actors line readings, but clearly let them know how you'd like them to adjust their performances. Make each take count, and move on once your actor gives multiple good performances. Even experienced actors are affected by fatigue.
9. 9. Embrace collaboration. Sometimes in screenwriting, words and ideas that work on the page may not work as well once you're on set. 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. When Jodie was directing Home for the Holidays, Holly Hunter approached Jodie during a scene to express concerns that her character was making a big confession that didn't make sense. Jodie was open to her actor's feedback, and she ended up working with Holly, Robert Downey Jr., and the film's screenwriter to rewrite the scene and shoot it again. Remember, collaboration with your actors is ongoing, from preproduction to wrap.
10. 10. Create a calm and respectful environment. “There's never any yelling on my sets,” Jodie says. “That's something I don't tolerate. I find it doesn't get any good work out of anyone.” Making movies is a demanding job, and even the best directors are prone to bouts of frustration. Even so, raising your voice on a film set creates unnecessary tension that isn’t conducive to creativity. A good director who treats all their crew members with respect sets a positive example and creates a better filmmaking environment for everyone.

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