June 24, 2014
In The Mix

10 Tips from the Director’s Chair: John Badham

How can directors help their performers work at their highest level? In this engaging book excerpt, John Badham — a veteran known as “the actor’s director” — shares 10 gems. Many of which are good to keep in mind in other leadership and life situations.

Getting the best out of your cast takes human skills, not cyber skills. And — surprise! — actors are not software, or robots.

Not only can they can contribute creatively, they can greatly help any director who will crawl out of the shell of his video village and communicate. Stuff these tips in your director’s backpack:

1. Call ‘em when you cast ‘em.

When you’ve cast new actors, take 5 minutes to call — not text, not tweet, not email — your new BFs. Get them excited. You’re going to take care of them, help them, hear their ideas. It’s not just a booking — it’s an adventure between creative partners.

2. Consider how your actors like to work.

Do they want a few takes before they’re happy? How about their hair, makeup and wardrobe? Remember: while you’re thinking about a million things, they might just be worried about their wig.

3. Create rehearsal time.

Rehearsals are not for wimps. Look for every chance to prepare — during an audition, in the makeup trailer at 7 a.m., on stage while the DP is lighting. There’s always time — if you look up from your TwitterMaker.

4. Don’t panic when a scene doesn’t work.

Take a break, hit the loo. Let everybody breathe. Then try it again in a completely different way. It was a comedy? Try it as a tragedy.  It was a drama? Do it as a farce. Shake up everyone’s little gray cells. Takes time, you say? Well, no more than doing the same thing over and over.

5. Listen to your thespians.

I don’t mean listen. I mean LISTEN! There’s a difference, you know. In one, you hear the words. In the other, you take them seriously. “Can I talk to you about my wardrobe?” isn’t really about wardrobe. There’s always a whimper, a cry or a yell for help in there somewhere. Blow it off and you’ve blown the trust you gained from Tip #1.

6. Give ‘em props.

After every take, actors need props. Pep-ups, “atta-persons,” invigorations, cheerleading. A pat on the shoulder, a smile, a nod. Tell them what they did right — not wrong. Don’t leave your cast wondering, “Was it good? … Did it suck? …What do I do now?” Actors will always think they messed up if you don’t tell them otherwise.

7. Say it in private.

When you have corrections for your actors, take them aside. Tell them in private, or at least in a whisper. Who likes to be corrected in front of a bunch of strangers? Anyone? See, that’s what I’m talking about.

8. Keep it short.

Give one clear adjustment at a time — not 2, not 3… 1. And if possible, keep it to 10 seconds or less. Then you’ve got a chance for something more than a blank stare from your puzzled performer.

9. Make that “Don’t” a “Do.”

People shrink from negatives, but are drawn to positives. Find a way to say what you need as a positive. Instead of, “Don’t stand behind the lamp when you speak,” try, “Stand over here and we can see you better.”

10. Pitch that note.

Phrase your notes as a sales pitch. As in: “What if you said this line to reject his threat?” As opposed to: “Just tell him, ‘No way!’” What’s the difference? Plenty. In the 1st, the actor gets to participate in the process. In the 2nd, he gets an order.

Let your actors figure out how their characters would do what you want, rather than imitate you blindly.

John Badham on Directing: Notes from the Sets of Saturday Night Fever, War Games and More is available in paperback, Kindle and audio book editions here on Amazon.com.

Originally published in Emmy magazine issue no. 2013-07




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