Becoming An Actor’s Director (directing Actors For Film And Television)

The collaboration of director and actor is the cornerstone of narrative filmmaking. This book provides the director with a concrete step-by-step guide to preparation that connects the fundamentals of film script analysis with the actor’s process of preparation.

The collaboration of director and actor is the cornerstone of narrative filmmaking. This book provides the director with a concrete step-by-step guide to preparation that connects the fundamentals of film-script analysis with the actor’s process of preparation.

This book starts with how to identify the overall scope of a project from the creative perspective of the director as it relates to guiding an actor, before providing a blueprint for preparation that includes script analysis, previsualization, and procedures for rehearsal and capture. This methodology allows the director to uncover the similarities and differences between actor and director in their preparation to facilitate the development of a collaborative dialogue. Featuring chapter-by-chapter exercises and assignments throughout, this book provides a method that enables the director to be present during every stage of production and seamlessly move from prep to filming, while guiding the actor to their best performances.

Written in a clear and concise manner, it is ideal for students of directing, early career, and self-taught directors, as well as cinematographers, producers, or screenwriters looking to turn their hand to directing for the first time.

INTRODUCTION

WHAT A DIRECTOR NEEDS TO KNOW

PREFACE

CHAPTER ONE: WHAT IS DIRECTING AND THE "PROSE" OF PREPARATION

CHAPTER TWO: STORYLINE FACTS -

THE BRIDGE TO THE THREE QUESTIONS TO CHOICE

CHAPTER THREE: THE THREE QUESTIONS TO CHOICE - Walking in the Actor’s Shoes

CHAPTER FOUR: THE 5 TOOLS - Bringing the Ensemble Together – Part One

CHAPTER FIVE: THE 5 TOOLS - Bringing the Ensemble Together – Part Two

CHAPTER SIX: MOMENTS AND BEATS

CHAPTER SEVEN - MARKING YOUR SCRIPT

CHAPTER EIGHT: THE IMPROV MONOLOGUE - Exploring collaboration through personal experience

CHAPTER NINE: THE SCRIPTED MONOLOGUE - Prelude to directing a two-person scene

CHAPTER TEN: PRESENTING AND RESPONDING TO THE MONOLOGUES

CHAPTER ELEVEN: SCENE WORK – CONDUCTING THE FULL REHEARSAL

CHAPTER TWELVE: PREVISUALIZATION

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: DIGITAL CAPTURE: PUTTING IT INSIDE THE FRAME

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: RESPONDING TO SCENE WORK

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: BUILDING YOUR SIXTH SENSE –BREAKING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

CHAPTER SIXTEEN – THE POWER OF IMPROVISATION

EPILOGUE

ADDENDUM

"Regge Life shares his approach to directing, honed by first-hand experience in the American film industry and informed by a valuable international perspective. This is a text that should find a place on the bookshelf of any prospective film and television director."

Tom Kingdon. Author of Total Directing.

"Finally a book that examines the most important relationship in film making, the director and actor."

John Chase Soliday, Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate/Graduate Studies, Cinema Arts Department, University of Miami Florida School of Communication.

"Regge Life has written an easy-to-understand deep dive into the preparation essential for directors of theatre, film and television to create their best storytelling. He provides step-by-step how-to tools, practice examples, personal stories, technical recommendations, and helpful daily practices that define the director’s homework. His incisive point-of-view, forged through decades of global experience and classroom teaching, demystifies the art of directing. A blueprint for gaining c