It's Sunday morning and I have been going over the script for the movie for the hundredth time. I'm trying to break down the characters and giving them a list of "action verbs" for each particular scene. I'm reading a great book right now called "Directing Actors" by Judith Weston, highly recommended for any director, experienced or otherwise. Anyway, she points out the difference between having the technical knowledge of a director and the skills of directing actors. It's very enlightening to say the least. It's helped me develop a new way to approach actors and explain a scene or idea. I've directed many actors but this is going to be a new way of dealing with them, the scenes and the whole movie. All for the better. I have always considered myself an "actor's director" but really I was still mostly a technical director. Since the majority of my films are character driven, I need to get the most out of each and every performance and BONE CHINA is no exception. In fact it relies mainly on the characters than almost anything I've every done.
We have gotten one major verbal commitment for an actor in NYC who will play a lead role in the film. No other roles have been cast yet but it's such a great start and it's going to be a thrill to work with them. Since almost all of our actors will be coming from either NYC or L.A. optimizing time of the set is going to be of the utmost importance. And a new approach to my directing will be a key. It's great to think of giving actors "playable" direction instead of vague, result oriented direction. No more, "Can you make it more quirky?" or "Faster and more intense." Sorry, George.
So for any directors, or actors for that matter, I suggest taking a look at this book. It'll help directors understand what will make the actors job easier and most genuine and actors can even get an insight of the directors process. It can help them communicate more clearly with directors and help ask "the right" questions to get the most out of their craft.
-Russell Johnson
