Directing Actors

Directing actors is the most important skill a movie director needs. Most directors aren’t sure about how to improve performances or they do things out of habit that unknowingly hurt the acting.

This course is good for anyone from amateurs to experienced directors. We introduce the techniques clearly and take the time to go deep into them.

Packed with lots of examples where I direct real actors to show you the difference between amateurish and much better acting. You’ll see how the actors react to bad direction and good direction.

Content:

You’ll find it valuable to understand how actors think in The Actor Experience and to know what to pay attention to when casting actors in Casting.

This will be an eye-opener for mistakes you’ve probably been making and you’ll find comfort and excitement in learning new directing techniques for actors (Directing Mistakesand Effective Direction).

Script Analysis is focused on a lot since it’s one of the most powerful tools to improve acting. This is done with an example script with exercises you can try with templates.

In Rehearsals you’ll understand how to lead a rehearsal that improves acting but doesn’t ruin the freshness of the acting and Acting Styles will help you deal with different actors and acting styles they swear by.

Detailed Content Breakdown:

1. The Actor Experience. Learn…

• How an actor thinks

• What worries them

• What’s most important to them

• Where to stand on set

• How to talk to them

2. Casting. Learn…

• How to find great actors for free

• The audition etiquette guidelines you’ll want to follow

• A detailed structure of a good audition (with example audition)

• The four main things to consider when evaluating actors

3. Directing Mistakes. Learn…

• To identify the 8 biggest mistakes you make when directing actors,

  such as asking for an emotion, giving line readings, emotional maps, etc.

• What the issue is with these types of direction (with acted examples). 

4. Effective Direction. Learn…

• Six extremely valuable techniques to direct actors that are playable, repeatable,

  choosable, adjustable and specific (with acted out examples showing change):

  • Action Verbs

  • Senses

  • Facts

  • Events

  • Physical Tasks

  • As-if Situations

• How to deliver directions, eg; using language of permission, how to combine techniques, etc.

• How to fix a scene that just doesn’t work with creativity

• Directing Comedy

5. Script Analysis. This is perhaps the most undervalued skill to direct actors well. Learn…

• How to analyze characters in a script to open up dozens of ways to play a scene (with examples).

  • Coming up with new stage directions

  • Word association

  • Clarification to clarify what’s unclear in the script

  • Questions and answers

  • Imaginative choices to open up possibilities

  • Identifying the meaning of a scene

  • And more…

• How to make a blocking plan

6. Rehearsals. Learn….

• The issues with rehearsing badly and how to avoid them

• Rehearsal techniques to make the acting better

• Three different rehearsal plans-

  • Full rehearsal plan for directors who’ve got at least a day spare

  • Script exploration for those who only have a few hours

  • On set rehearsal for those with only a few minutes to spare

• Improvisation exercises to get actors to their best potential.

7. Acting Styles.

• A brief introduction on the main acting styles: Stanislavski System, Lee Strasberg,

  Psychological Method, Meisner Technique and Atlantic’s Practical Aesthetics.

About the instructor:

Asher Lines is an award-winning film director based in Birmingham, England. He began making films at age 12 and graduated in Film Production at Birmingham City University. His films are mostly dramedies, inspired by Martin Scorcese, Greta Gerwig and Woody Allen. He’s well known for his actor-first approach and likes to work with professional actors and non-actors alike. His films include Puppy Love and Tracy which are currently on the film festival circuit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You can view and review the lecture materials indefinitely, like an on-demand channel.

Can I take my courses with me wherever I go?

Definitely! If you have an internet connection, courses on Udemy are available on any device at any time. If you don’t have an internet connection, some instructors also let their students download course lectures. That’s up to the instructor though, so make sure you get on their good side!