When Directors Say the Wrong things

WHEN DIRECTORS SAY THE WRONG THINGS…
 It’s no mystery that directors/teachers/casting directors, can say the wrong thing to an actor sometimes. Whether it’s for auditions, stage, TV, Film or even voice acting, something might be said that you don’t understand or can’t relate to. What do you do about those weird, uncomfortable, confusing moments? Is there actually a way you can salvage a potentially negative situation into one that gets the job done? Let’s find out on today’s episode of Casting Actors Cast, the podcast for actors from a casting director!

Introduction
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(Actors connection spot)

Looking back to my acting days I can relate multiple times I didn’t understand what a director was looking for when they gave me notes. (Example) On one hand the director is the “over-seer” of the project and must be fully trusted because they have the vision for the story. On the other hand, you might not key into the same vocabulary as the director, leaving you confused and frustrated. Here are some tips to making this a positive experience and not one with regret. Here are seven take-a-way’s for working with directors:
1) Set up the ground rules-a mutual understanding of the working process: “Best way to ask questions or how do you like to work?”
2) Key into the way the director speaks to others (actors, producers, assistants)
3) Once a note is given take a moment to process what is said and then see if it works
4) Making an effort to try the direction always wins over starting out disagreeable.
5) You are not clay needing to be molded. It is a collaboration of creatives.
6) If you really don’t understand try to ask, “Can you put that another way? If you say, “I don’t understand” it has the potential of feeling like a push back.
7) Unless the motive is unclear, trust that there is a desire for a mutually creative process and outcome.

When you find yourself in a situation with a director that you have trouble translating their words into action, it is your right and obligation to dig deeper until there is comprehension with what is being asked. Maintaining professionalism and a positive mental attitude will almost always work to your benefit.