I’m props master for a very... particular type of director. I received a note last night:
Director: Hey, can I get a bunch more stuff in this box of flowers for them to spill? Like a bunch of dirt and soil? The actors are cleaning it all up too fast.
Me: But if they miss anything there will be dirt and soil all over the stage that revolves and they dance on.
Director: But they’re stopping sweeping too soon and just look so awkward up there. So make it harder to clean!
Me: ... have you tried asking them to just clean it up slower?
Director: How are they supposed to do that if there’s not a huge mess to clean up?
Me: Have they tried, I dunno, ACTING??!?