When is it appropriate for the Director of Photography (DP) to talk to the talent?

**Alex** · December 23rd, 2004, 09:32 PM

?

**tim partridge** · December 23rd, 2004, 11:04 PM

[img]eek.gif[/img]

I'm wondering just how many people have made any kind of film around here with a topic like this!This is SCARY.

The DP talks to the talent whenever neccessary, be that from directing their cues to make things more visually interesting during blocking, assuring them they will look good underneath the right kind and checking whether or not they are comfortable under the lighting conditions if there is doubt that the lighting isn't affecting their performance.

On Se7en Darius Khondji during the blocking of the opening greed sequence asked Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman to illuminate their faces with their handheld flashlights every so often when they turned corners, letting them know before hand how it would give the audience more visual information during a sequence largely sillouhetted.

The DPs job is all about communication with the director and the actors are the directors prime assets (along with the script), so the DP MUST know how to talk to EVERYONE find that time to talk (if he wants to help the director create a well bonded unit motivated to achieve the same goal). Plus, a homogenised atmosphere on set where everyone comes together as one will only help your production. I have shot stuff where the director didn't introduce the cast to the crew and we just all had to gel on the floor- I still spoke and laughed with the talent whenever neccessary, but I would have prefered something earlier, and I believe this did hinder the shoot progress and shooting time.

I have been on a set with a very big DP (nolonger with us) who despite 25 years in the role, clearly hadn't picked up any basic communication skills other than brown nosing the director. This guy screamed at extras and got an AD to talk to the actors for him. His gaffer and sparks vocally had no repsect for him and the camera crew in general looked ashamed. The film looked like **** too, as did most of his CV. Says alot.

I use to do a lot of stagework and drama performance when I was a child/teenager so know what it feels like for an actor, stamina and patience wise. I'd certainly encourage anyone wishing to pursue a career as a DP to do some theatre or work as a background extra on a film, because then you'll be able to relate to having a 2K rammed in your eyes for hours at a time by DPs who assume you are just another piece of art direction that you can light in your own time. It's a tough job and can be very taxing and a DP cannot afford to be anything but understanding, getting the shot done as quickly as possible and holding the actors hand when you stick them in uncomfortably illuminated situation- if they TRUST you, you can get any shot you like accomplished.

**Nigel** · December 24th, 2004, 12:05 AM

I try to never speak with actors...It is not my job. This is why there are stand-ins. I light the scene and get a stand-in to fine tune things. If an actor misses a mark I tell the director. If I blew a camera move I tell the director. The performance is the director's problem. If something is really really really important that the actor needs to know then I will tell the director or AD.

This is not a flawed way of working nor is it somehow me being an asshole. It is simply a way for me to do my job without taking on additional duties that do not belong to me. Thus I avoid stepping on toes and people don't step on mine. There is a seperation of powers and designation of duties is what creates a smooth work flow.

Perhaps you aren't working on a big production where the actors may be your friends or family and then I guess they would expect a certain amount of interaction. However, I am not freinds with the talent and it is not my goal to make friends with them. My goal is to make them look good and to make the film look good--To do that I don't need to speak with actors.

What is this thread really accomplishing??

Good Luck

**Alex** · December 24th, 2004, 01:00 AM

Originally posted by tim partridge:
[img]eek.gif[/img]

I'm wondering just how many people have made any kind of film around here with a topic like this!

This is SCARY.

For your statement to have any validity all the responses would need to similar. I doubt that will happen.

How and when the DP talks to the actors is very political. The DP not talking to the actors is a sign of respect to the director.

Talking to the actors about blocking or staging is obviously a good idea at times, but what can end up happening is the actors begin to ask the DP what they think their character is thinking or feeling and suddenly the directors role is being usurped by the DP in a very disrespectful way.

Simple instructions about timing or blocking can interfere with the directing of the scene, so I don't agree that the DP just chirp out instructions to the actors whenever they feel like it.

**tim partridge** · December 24th, 2004, 01:44 AM

DOUBLE POST

[ December 23, 2004 10:00 PM: Message edited by: tim partridge ]

**tim partridge** · December 24th, 2004, 01:55 AM

Originally posted by Alex:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by tim partridge:
[img]eek.gif[/img]

I'm wondering just how many people have made any kind of film around here with a topic like this!

This is SCARY.

For your statement to have any validity all the responses would need to similar. I doubt that will happen.

How and when the DP talks to the actors is very political. The DP not talking to the actors is a sign of respect to the director.<hr /></blockquote>HAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! WHATEVER. I'm sure the actors are going to love the director for having some cold, mute technician wandering over to them shoving light meters in their faces and dictating how they'll ultimately end up looking on screen without ever speaking to them- yeah, sure they will trust such a "respectful" artist and not hinder the directors intimacy when directing the actors. Each to their own.

Originally posted by Alex:

Talking to the actors about blocking or staging is obviously a good idea at times, but what can end up happening is the actors begin to ask the DP what they think their character is thinking or feeling and suddenly the directors role is being usurped by the DP in a very disrespectful way.

Bullshit. NEVER happened to Cardiff, Watkin, Francis, Ballard, Khondji or any of the other best of the best...

Originally posted by Alex:

Simple instructions about timing or blocking can interfere with the directing of the scene, so I don't agree that the DP just chirp out instructions to the actors whenever they feel like it.

Yeah, just as a DOP chirps out anything whenever he feels like it. Stupid Darius Khondji who has only worked with his friends and not on a "big production"...

**tim partridge** · December 24th, 2004, 01:59 AM

Originally posted by Nigel:
[qb]
Perhaps you aren't working on a big production where the actors may be your friends or family and then I guess they would expect a certain amount of interaction. However, I am not freinds with the talent and it is not my goal to make friends with them.

Yeah that's right-Perhaps Darius Khondji isn't working on big productions and only works with his friends and family, expecting a certain amount of interaction. You said it...

Bette Davis said always make friends with your DP and NEVER have a stand in, as the DPs the one who's going to make you look good. Freddie Francis, David Watkin and Jack Cardiff all talked to their talent, held a social bonding and look at their work! If you want to assume they were all amateurs working with their "friends" you are out of your depth.

I disagree with you entirely on your approach to handling actors- very cold and I can't relate to it. I personally can't imagine not talking to talent as it would simply make the job MUCH harder AND it limits happy accidents.

However, if it works for you and you do great work, good for you. Just remember, your method isn't the widely held norm and actors are human beings aswell. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ December 23, 2004 10:01 PM: Message edited by: tim partridge ]

[ December 23, 2004 10:12 PM: Message edited by: tim partridge ]

**Alex** · December 24th, 2004, 02:23 AM

Originally posted by tim partridge:
I'm sure the actors are going to love the director for having some cold, mute technician wandering over to them shoving light meters in their faces and dictating how they'll ultimately end up looking on screen without ever speaking to them-

yeah, sure they will trust such a "respectful" artist and not hinder the directors intimacy when directing the actors. Each to their own.

[/QB]

Are you a DP?

Many DP's over time fancy that they can direct or simply decided they want to direct.

So when and how an actor interacts with a DP is of utmost importance to the director unless the director is a "cold, mute technician wandering over..." to the actors completely oblivious that their power is being usurped by the DP.

Yeah, that's the kind of director I want directing my film.