Casting Call Session and Update

Today our session took place in the drama studio. We had to partake in the acting, as if we were auditioning, ourselves. It was useful in terms of learning about the theory of dealing with actors, and getting the most from them as directors/script writers, although I did feel slightly out of my depth and nervous considering that I'm not an actor.

The top tips that I learnt from this session were:

1. Encourage actors to feed off of emotions from personal memories
We were told not to tell actors how they are supposed to feel in a certain scene, but rather guide them to an emotion by encouraging them to remember a time when they felt similar to how their character is feeling in that particular scene. That way, actors will bring an authenticity to the character, that is largely different to the cliched reactions that they may well have portrayed without this method. 

A way of doing this in an audition process (and the way that we were taught to achieve this) is to tell the actors to spread themselves out in the room, close their eyes and remember a specific memory from their past that is important, and has some form of strong emotion attached to it. You then tell them to open their eyes, and to act it out in their space, without paying attention to anybody else. If there is speaking in the memory, then encourage them to speak. At certain points, you can freeze the rest of the actors and ask one to perform their memory. You can ask them questions about it before they begin such as: What can you hear? What can you feel? What time is it? Who is with you? - these questions help them delve deeper into the memory and how they felt. 

2. Build a good relationship with the actor

If the actor is going to open up to you about their own personal memories and feelings, then there must be an element of trust and a good relationship. This is crucial, in terms of achieving realistic acting from them, or just acting where they won't feel self conscious, and will really let loose.

3. Script writers - take a step back

Script writers should not determine how a certain scene should be acted, or specific nuances/details of the character. They should write the dialogue, and shape the character through that, but allow the actors to create their own interpretation of the character, as it is likely to be more realistic if they are doing what feels comfortable to them, rather than what the script is telling them to do. Also, the script should not ascertain whether the character is good or bad, it should merely provide circumstances and situations.

4. Don't tell actors a lot about the script when giving it to them to read through

Give actors the script, tell them to read it through uninterrupted, and encourage them to write notes on certain aspects that stay with them/connect with them/evoke an emotional response from them. After they have read it through, as the Director, you should take their script back and when they are acting out the scene, ask them about it/remind them of it. Another idea is to get them to write out a particular scene themselves, and through what they write, you are about to tell which points of the scene stand out to them the most - and therefore you can feed off of this as a Director, to achieve good acting within the scene.

5. Write and rewrite scripts based on the actors

If you feel a scene could benefit from re-shaping, based on how the character is emerging/developing, then do it. Sticking to a script that doesn't fit with the characters, will make the end result unrealistic and ineffective. It is good to continuously edit and improve when needed.

6. Don't stick rigidly to the script

If there is the opportunity, allow the characters to improvise. We were told that a good way of doing this is to tell each respective actor the situation and their characters perspectives and point of view within that situation, separately. This way, when the actors are put together, they won't know what the other is going to do, and the results will be more spontaneous and interesting to watch. Another good way of encouraging improvisation is by providing them with a limited description of the scene, and telling them certain key lines which they have to deliver, but allow them to create the rest. Lastly, another way may be to block a scene with relation to the script, but then redo it, allowing the actors to interpret it in their own way.



UPDATE:

Abi has put up an advertisement for a Female actress on starnow.com, as we mutually agreed that the girl we originally had in mind was not right for the role. The advert is as follows: