ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

7 years, 4 months ago - Chris Bogle

I should add - these actors were lovely, open to ideas and good to work with. My criticism is entirely directed inwards!

7 years, 4 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

I don't think the problem is inherently the ex-soap standing of the cast, we've shot with a few ex-soap cast before, and they've performed naturally with direction. Maybe try casting them against character, so they don't fall into their soap personae for lack of alternative direction? If you have an actor who played a downbeaten, working class older woman with a miscreant son cast her in a more glamorous role. That kind of thing.

I'm a huge fan of ex-soap casting - those guys know how to *work*! They'll show up on time, fully prepped, and know their lines. They'll not have ideas of being a star requiring special treatment, they'll get stuck in with crew at mealtimes.

7 years, 4 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

I think as the director, it's your responsibility to get across the type of performance you want. If they look soapy, well, that might work for certain kinds of films.

Have you ever seen Expressionist, surrealist, or other avant-garde genres? Or pre-1940s gangster films? The acting is very different. Different styles can work. You might be working with a ham critic who recognised the soap faces.

My main technique is to do auditions, to test the actors and their ability to follow direction or adapt, before casting them. I'm never disappointed with a performance from an actor who I've auditioned.

I find that most professional actors (or perhaps all), if given a good script and good direction, can do just about any style.

7 years, 4 months ago - Alève Mine

Maybe look into any techniques documentary directors may use, or improv?

7 years, 4 months ago - Dave Hall

I think it's nonsense to think it's your responsibility as a director to "get" a performance from your actors - unless you have three years to spare to put them through drama school. It's also a disrespect to the craft of genuinely good actors, and the contribution they make. Actors aren't puppets. They are artists with as much to contribute to the finished result as the director and the writer. You direct, you point them in the right direction, but they have to go there themselves. Casting is everything. If you've cast a certain kind of actor you'll get a certian kind of performance. The greatest director in th world couldn't do otherwise.

7 years, 4 months ago - Stuart Wright

Some solid advice from an ex-soap star turned Director in my preview podcast with Dominic Brunt ahead of BAIT showing at Frightfest a few years ago... He talks about speaking to each actor pre shoot about his expectations of them on his tight budget.... might be useful http://britflicks.com/blog.aspx?blogid=20725

7 years, 4 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

No, actors aren't puppets, but you tell them your vision. Professional actors have already been through drama school, or the experience equivalent.

Let them know the overall vision of the piece, have a great script and good direction, and they'll "magically" give you the kind of performance you want.

So, get across means explain, communicate, and let them fill in the rest. If you don't want "soapy", say so, and they'll know what to do. (Also, as a director, auditioning is your responsibility, and you see in the auditions what their range is, and whether they like or fit your style of not.)

7 years, 4 months ago - Nick Fogg

Just a thought. Was the dialogue scripted? Is it possible that the writing played a part in this? It's no mean feat to write realistic dialogue, that isn't on the nose, and that has great subtext. And less is pretty much always more, I've found.

7 years, 3 months ago - Chris Bogle

Thanks for the thoughtful responses and advice everyone.

Just to reiterate - I'm not abdicating my responsibility as a director, or blaming my actors for 'bad acting'. My actors were brilliant and they worked like dogs for four long days. But I found I lacked certain tools to snap them out of it when they began to 'act'.

I'll check out the podcast Stuart, thanks!!

@Dave - totally agree and I think you've hit the nail on the head. My problem was in spotting authenticity during the casting process, not on set. I think that's where I need to focus on the next film.

@Aleve - absolutely. And rather than casting off the page, next time around I'm going to try running improv exercises to get a sense of range and ability to handle subtext rather than ability to read lines.

Ahh it's a wonderful learning curve ey?