#directing talent

[azuredragonstudios]

Mastery Journal Directing Talent

I really enjoyed the directing talent class. Although I didn't meet every single one of my original goals, ​I did learn a lot of information that I hope will be really useful going forwards. My first goal was to refresh my acting roots. I was very engaged in the theater as a child, I did classes and starred in several plays. Acting, in it's many different forms, has always been very important to me even though I no longer particularly enjoy being in front of the camera. Getting to be an actor quite a few times during this class really helped me reconnect with that love of being on stage, as well as relive those times I'd enjoyed directing short scenes and plays in the past. My second goal for directing talent was to direct. Tada! I loved doing directing scenes one, two and three. It was super helpful for me to be able to learn from my mistakes or areas I could have improved on previous scenes, and build those into my next attempt. I felt like I was able to create a vision and execute it, as well as to really form a connection between myself and the actors that was strong enough to show what I was going for. My final goal for directing talent was to learn more about the relationship between cinematography and acting. Since I wrote this in Mastery before ever really getting into what cinematography is, I meant framing. I now understand that cinematography is more about the creation and shaping of light, rather than the position of actors and objects in the scene. Regarding framing though, I loved learning about creating lines and shapes on screen, and the way that actors can draw the eye to certain places with their own eyelines, physical placement on screen or movement throughout a shot. I look forward to applying more of these framing ideas to my future work. 

[zimmsfullsailadventure]

Rachel Zimmermann

Directing Talent

Mastery Journal Entry

       The goals I had for this course were to learn what the role of director entails, gain experience and confidence in directing, and gain proficiency in collaborating with talent and crew in the role of director. I believe this class, Directing Talent, has helped me immensely with all three of these goals. We had three directing scenes in this class, one building onto the next, that certainly helped me to grow as a director, and surprisingly as an actor. Before this class, I had never really thought about acting in any capacity, but having taken this class I can say that it’s a lot more fun than I expected, and I actually really enjoyed working in my classmates projects.

        This course offered a number of opportunities for us to try new things in the role of director, and we even got to direct scenes we wrote. I really enjoyed acting in and directing the neutral scenes as well, because it showed me just how much work goes into building the context for scenes that begin as just dialogue. I also enjoyed collaborating with the actors before shooting scenes in rehearsals, because it offered a unique opportunity for us to come together and brainstorm the characters, their motivations, and what they might be thinking.

        I appreciated text book we used in this class, Directing Actors by Judith Weston (Michael Wiese Productions, Studio City, CA 1996). Many key terms and ideas found in this book were echoed by our instructor and proved to be valuable to remember when thinking as a director and/or actor. I learned that honesty is key to any good performance, and that the relationship between acting and directing is based on trust (Weston, 1996).

        I appreciated analyzing the various thesis films we watched in class, and discussing the themes, and techniques used. I really enjoyed watching Lars and the Real Girl (2007). That was a great example to show us for how to create a vision statement. I also enjoyed the character work in In Bruges (2008). Even though I didn’t appreciate the extreme type of violence the film portrays, I found it a great story of redemption, and the acting was superb.

        I think the skills I learned in this class will help me professionally, as directing is one of my career goals. I believe these skills have also helped me personally, as I am a true introvert, but this class forced me to be more outspoken and to grow in confidence working in this craft. Overall, I really enjoyed this class, and think I would benefit from a longer version of it. I learned a lot during this month that I hope to build on as I work on future projects in my time at Full Sail.

[thekmac22-blog]

Mastery Journal #4

My original objective for this course was to be able to learn how to effectively speak to and direct talent for future short films. I believe this objective has been met. In fact, I believe I learned more than I intended within this course, which is great.

This course taught me a better way to direct talent by using verbs and as-if scenario adjustments instead of giving result adjustments. With this new skill, I can apply it towards future professional endeavors. I can also get a better overall result from my actors, actresses, or models. This can create a better trust and connection with said actors or models, which creates a good working environment.

Because of this course, I grew a confidence within the field of directing that I didn’t have before. I have never fully understood how to properly direct a scene, so I came into this class a bit wary. Now, I feel more comfortable directing. I believe the directing talent scene assignments helped push me out of my comfort zone and in the process made me a better director. This newfound confidence in the field will help me both in my personal and professional endeavors.

Another skill that will help me in the future, is learning when a character should speak within a script. This course taught me that there needs to be motivation for a character to speak. They can’t just speak because I need to fill space, but because they have a reason to. This skill will help me when I write scripts and when I direct projects both now and in the future. I believe I knew this, but I didn’t fully understand this concept until it was spoken aloud.

This class went beyond my expectations. I think I expected it to be just about directing talent, which it was, but it also taught me about acting and how to relate to actors/actresses.  

[chengyuxu-blog]

Mastery Journal

This month is my fourth month in Film Production program. I was really enjoying this month study, we wrote our script, direct it and practice acting. In the first week, the professor teaches us some theories of directing talent, the most interesting teaching is object exercise. We need to choose or create a scene to perform. And in that weekend, we join the casting and I study a lot from a running man. There were some really good actors in our casting and the most impressed me was a pair of old guys. And in the second week, study how to directing a scene is my first work. In the first scene, that was my first time to direct actors in a film. Before I start to direct it, I was feeling nervous to start the film. However, when I start to direct it, I feel enjoy it. I told actors about the story and let them understand my opinion, they understand very well and present it in a right way. The most difficult thing is the camera angle, I thought it should be director of photography’s job. I didn’t organize the angle, so I chose to shoot five different angles to shoot the whole scene. This method really useful to the short scene, I chose the main angle to be the basic track. Then, I pick some useful close angle for each actor. After that, I mix them together. After my work, the professor told me that I need to remember to discuss with my actors their character’s moments before a shoot and be careful of saying “Give more emotion.” Try to use verbs much more in the direction to actors. Thus, in the second directing scene. I enjoyed my direct work, our crew had a very good performance. It is really helpful when I told actors how to act the character before we start. They always show me a full emotion for their character. And when I use “I need you to be angrier” is really help them to learn their character. I think I need to learn some professional direct words to help me give the crew more clear instructions. In a word, I like this month study. It gives me an interesting experience I have never try before.

[ericrlking-blog]

Directing Talent

My goal for Directing Talent was to work with a diverse group of actors. I did not just want to stick with my own race.  I wanted to explore and that I did do. This course met my objective because I was able to write my own scripts and cast my own actors and actresses. Directing is more than adding a directed by credit at the end of the production. Direction deals with communicating effectively to the director of photography, the actors and actresses on the set, as well as everyone else on set during filming. The use of action verbs comes in handy when you are trying to get a certain performance out of an actor or actress. Before this class, I have worked on production sets before but still did not possess the confidence I needed overall to direct appropriately and effectively. Now, I feel more confident not only in my direction but with my on set etiquette and professionalism. I learned a great deal of stuff this month that will only benefit me in the future as I pursue my endeavors. I enjoyed acting and using my brain to remember lines so that I can have a greater performance. I noticed this month that acting is something I really love and enjoy doing. Directing Talent also gave me time to practice on my edits by cutting appropriately in postproduction so that I may evoke the right emotional responses from my audience. I look forward to directing more in the future and becoming a more effective communicator during production. The best leaders are ultimately the best learners. Therefore I will continue to learn more, do more, so that I may see more, and be more. One of the big things I will keep in mind as I continue to direct is to not yell cut too fast. It is best to allow a few seconds to pass by before yelling cut. That way I can capture emotions that may be needed in different parts of the film. With film, you just never know sometimes. It is better to be safe than sorry. Quiet on set, camera rolling, ACTION...CUT!  

[syrettajourneytheworld-blog]

Directing Scene Mastery Journal

This video is about Directing Scene Mastery Journal

4th Month in Mastery Journey... Directing Talent Course

[ericalynmacleod]

Directing Talent Reflection

           Coming into the Directing Talent class, the only experience with directing I had was during our short film during Filming Concepts and Practices.  Directing, however, is something I have always aspired to do.  I felt a little out of my depth entering this class because I was not sure what to expect.  My main goal for this class was to learn more about the director’s role and work on collaborating with actors and crew.  I definitely feel like I have come a long way since the start of this class.

           The Directing Scenes were a huge learning experience for me.  It was a little intimidating at first, directing a coherent scene in 10 minutes. It was effective though because it forced me to think simply about my shots and not try anything too complex. I felt very scattered though and felt like I didn’t do that great of a job on set working my cast and crew. What I learned from that first experience I utilized in the next scene.  When new issues popped up with the second scene, I learned from it and knew better for the third scene.  

           That is one thing I have learned about directing.  It is not always going to go as planned. People are going to enter the soundstage or be using a power saw outside that will mess with the audio, actors may show up late and be unprepared for their scenes, shots that have been lined up won’t work.  Something is going to go wrong and it is up to the director to figure out how to work around the problem.  It’s part planning and part thinking on your toes.

           I have learned a lot in this class and I feel like I have improved as a director since the start.  I noticed on the third directing scene, it was easier for me to come up with a verb or an “as if” scenario for my actors that it was the first time we filmed.  I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I have made a definite improvement.

[ericalynmacleod]

Directing Scene #3