Directing
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3903
Printed Date: 11/27/24 at 2:54pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Directing
Posted By: Squeegle
Subject: Directing
Date Posted: 3/24/09 at 3:00pm
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I am directing a show for the first time...Moon Over Buffalo (other posts about this topic)...and there are people that I have cast in this show who feel the need to "direct" with me. I can handle this job...and I want my actors to be focused on acting...not "directing" with me. I know some people feel the need to "help"...but when I want help...I will ask for it. Can I get rid of this behavior without being a total "witch"?? ------------- MK |
Replies:
Posted By: imamember
Date Posted: 3/24/09 at 4:04pm
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Having (sadly) been on the other side of this issue, I fully plan to have guidelines to go over during first rehearsal and addressing things like that. Obviously had you done that in the beginning you wouldn't have this problem, but hindsight is 20/20 right? You could always frame your request in that this is your first time directing and you'd feel cheated if you didn't get the whole experience for yourself and that if you mess up you'd like it to be your own mistakes and not someone else's and if you succeed, you'd like it to be due to you and not someone else. |
Posted By: greenphoenix
Date Posted: 3/24/09 at 4:24pm
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It's a balance. It takes patience and diplomacy. Of course, theatre will always be a collaborative art, and the actors should not feel afraid to contribute ideas when appropriate. However, I would definitely draw the line at actors telling other actors what to do, dictating blocking, or taking over rehearsals. Just say that you are able to see things from the audience perspective and your approach "looks" better from that viewpoint. Everybody wants to look good, so just try to gain their confidence by being friendly, open, but firm that you have the final word. |
Posted By: SpenceKenzer
Date Posted: 3/24/09 at 4:25pm
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Yes and no. Bear with me, this takes some explaining. Yes, you can and should discourage & eliminate directing done by any cast member or any production team member other than yourself. It helps to establish this by saying just that at the first meeting or read thru. If you have a hand-out of your CT's etiquette/guidelines/rules, this can be included there. If you are already well past the first meeting/read-thru, then I'd suggest gathering the cast & crew at the beginning of the next rehearsal and take 5 to 10 minutes to make your firm-but-friendly pronouncement on this subject. Be clear. Be calm. Be specific. Be friendly. Be firm! I'd say something like this: "In a play everyone has a job they were engaged to do. The actor's job is to act -- that is, to be responsible to craft and perform a character to the best of this ability. It is the stage manager's job to operate the rehearsals and the show, to keep things organized and running smoothly and safely. It is the director's job to decide everything that goes into the show, and everything that doesn't - this includes set, props, costumes, and actor performances. You may have some ideas about the show. You may feel the urge to share your insight with your fellow cast members ("At the end of the second scene you might trying doing this when you say that...") or with the production crew ("I could wear a different costume in Act 2" or "I don't like that prop, could I use something else?") RESIST THE URGE! JUST DON'T DO IT. You are not the director. That is not your job. I am the director. That is my job. Please DO NOT direct any part of the show. Oh yes, you may have some suggestions, probably some very good ones. I do want to hear your idea; I may even use your idea; or I may not. I hope you will respect the idea that what appears on stage for this show is my decision to make. I will provide you with opportunities to make your suggestions. I want to hear your idea to consider it. I am open to your contribution. But do not give any direction or notes to other cast members or production crew members unless the director hears it first. If you have a problem with this, then perhaps you can direct the next show, but for this show I urge you to respect my role as your director by you NOT directing others in this show. Do you have any question about what I've just said?" Does this sound a bit pompous or control freakish or egotistical? Perhaps it should a bit! You've been charged with the enormous responsibility of directing a play; that job is challenging enough without interference from others. Make yourself clear and firm on this, right from the start (or as soon as you can), and I think you'll find less frustration from "would-be directors" in your cast & production crew. Okay that was the "yes" part of my reply. Now for the "no" part. As the director, part of your job MAY be to be the "total witch" from time to time, particularly with difficult actors or production crew members. Your the one in charge, after all. You are responsible to make this play look and sound like something you would enjoy attending, and your job is to get your actors and production crew to do it YOUR way. You don't have to be unpleasant! You can ask for and use suggestions from anyone in the show! BUT you can also reject any suggestion given, because the final product is your responsibility. As any military person will tell you, when the platoon leader says to do something, you do it! If it happens to be the right thing to do, so much the better! And, in a slightly less military vein, hopefully the platoon leader will get some ideas from his platoon, to tap their skills and expertise, so that the platoon leader can make the best possible decision for the platoon. WADSWORTH: So, to make a long story short-- ALL GUESTS: Too late! ------------- --------------------<*> Saludos, my dahlinks, and you know who you are ... ! |
Posted By: Fractal514
Date Posted: 3/24/09 at 11:43pm
| I have a few rules, don't interrupt the scene, save your questions for notes, and save your suggestions for e-mails. If it's important enough, they will remember. The last rule does not always get followed, but it's worth a try. Also, and this is a BIG rule, never never never give a note to a fellow actor without clearing it with me in private first. |
Posted By: georgiadirector
Date Posted: 8/22/09 at 12:39am
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I have absolutely no problem with saying to one person or the whole cast, "we're not directing by commitee, this is a monarchy and I'm queen. If, after you try it my way, it doesn't work for you, you may speak to me privately."
That said, yesterday I was directing a huge number with all 38 cast members present. We got into a discussion about how one thing should be done. They had some good ideas that I used and some I nixed. I'm not threatened by creative collaboration, but I want to be the one to suggest it and I'm not shy about nipping it in the bud.
Some veteran actors in the cast later told me I should have stopped the discussion in its tracks. I understand what they're saying, but I know how respected I am, feel completely in control and don't think the situation was at all out of hand.
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Posted By: Tallsor
Date Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:52am
The last show I directed I had made sure at read-through to give "the rules", one of which was the chain of command (after a short "Firefly" joke of the chain of command being the chain I beat you with until you learn who's in command  ):
Director to assistant director to stage manager to actor. If you have a suggestion for another actor, you talk to ME separately from the cast. If you feel I didn't give you enough credit and you still think it's a good idea, complain to the assistant director. He may find it a good enough suggestion to try and convince me.
About halfway through, I had to give them a reminder that if they have any suggestions for the play, I was open to them: but they had to come to ME, not to the other actor.
All of the suggestions here would work: saying that as director, you're the one with the 'whole forest' in mind, where the actors are more focused on 'just the trees'; that you can see it from the audience's perspective; and that as a first time director, you appreciate the suggestions, but want to make sure your vision is handled and so you'd appreciate them more if they went to you instead of the other actors.
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Posted By: theaterguy
Date Posted: 11/06/09 at 12:44pm
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You have to let them know from the beginning that while you welcome their input and creative ideas, YOU have the final say - you will take whatever they say into consideration, but YOU ultimately make the final decision. You can do this in a nice way. Also, if you did not do this at the beginning, it is never to late. Sit them down and have a director-to-cast meeting, reiterating the sentiments I've mentioned.
Good luck!
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Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 11/12/09 at 9:29pm
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This probably a wee bit late?
I use the magic of the 'Talking Stick', which was used by the Celtic & American Indian tribes, to great effect.
I do this after the rehearsal, about once a week or so. It works well & the cast feel enpowered to bring forth thier ideas, without fear or favour. Because they can only communicate while holding the talking stick, thus it is not them that is actualy does the speaking.
The one I cobbled together is now known as Erik, for some obscure reason?
He does make for a great scape goat & someone to blame 'n piont the bone at!  ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |