Directing Tips – How to get the best from cast and crew

Let’s be honest, everybody who has an interest in movie making wants to direct. It’s the ultimate job, the top dog who tells the rest what to do. But is that really what directing is all about, or is there more to it than simply barking orders and being the one ‘in control’?

Of course there is, for while the director is the leader of the crew, he or she is also the hub around which the production revolves. If a director is not a team player then the result will be a shambles. Let’s have a look at some directing tips that may help you to get the best from your cast and crew.

Know what is going on
This is a vital point: the director needs to be fully aware of every single aspect of the production. The design aspects, camerawork, lighting, location, script and overall aim – and much, much more. That’s how big the directors role is – and all-encompassing view of what needs to happen, when, where and why.

This is why preparation is essential where directing is concerned; prepare and plan every aspect, every move of the shoot, in advance and you will find you have an easier ride. If you are unfamiliar with any aspect of the production then take the time to go through it with those concerned.

Get to know your cast
Actors come in all shapes, sizes and forms, and remember one vital point: they are people! It is too easy for a director to assume that because one is an actor they can do the job without blinking. Even the very best actors need direction, and all to a different degree.

Some actors take to the role like a duck to water and need no more than a ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and a little advice on speed and movement. Others will need to sit down with the director and discuss the subtext, get to the bottom of what the character is really thinking during a certain action or conversation. The difference in actors is natural, and the director needs to be fully conversant with the actor’s ability and individual needs.

Organise your crew
Each member of the crew has a specific role, and that role is one small cog in a big machine. The crew members all know this, and should be fully aware of their role at all times during the shoot. With some, as with actors, this will come naturally, but with others it will need a little more coaxing and encouragement. Make sure your crew are well organised, work together well and know what is expected of them.

One misconception about the movie director is that he or she is a figurehead who is there to admonish and strike fear into all involved. This is an approach that does not garner results; watch any great director in action and you will see that while they possess a sense of power and authority, they are always careful to treat both cast and crew with sympathy and understanding; work this way and you will become a very popular director!