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

[Tasty Fish Lips]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 26, 2004 01:03 PM: Message edited by: Tasty Fish Lips ]</font>

[tim partridge]

I think Alex's last post is more about general common sense than anything specifically tied to a DP. That's not to say there HAVEN'T been instances where DPs have nearly been fired or even fired for clumsy communication on a show- Jack Cardiff's biography actually cites an instant where he came onto a picture and a support actress felt uncomfortable because Cardiff kept his ditance, lit her but never had time to talk to her, unlike the rest of the cast. The actress informed the producer and director with great concern feeling neglected, Cardiff was then requested to break the ice. FORTUNATELY the cameraman and the actress got on like a house on fire and he stayed on the production.

I agree with much of what you said, Tasty Fish Lips(!), although the last paragraph I don't agree entirely with. Jack Cardiff, David Watkin, Freddie Francis, Darius Khondji and Lucien Ballard as well as other groundbreaking DPs known for being chatty with their talent like Conrad Hall are pretty special artists who have been there and have done everything, and adapting such practice for on set behaviour is no less wise IMO than for example borrowing Watkin's single source diffusion or bounced fill to light your own stuff if it's the look you want. It's all part of the practice, and to go by your work is work analogy, some car salesmen like to offer their customers a drink in the showroom, some don't. Some till cashiers like to make chat with their customers at the check out to show worth and appreciation, others don't see that as part of their job yet still offer polite service and efficient cash handling skills.

I must admit, I was initially taken back when Nigel explained his working methods as all of the heroes and talented experts I respect and have been lucky enough to communicate with are all the complete opposite. My sincerest apologies to Nigel if I came across as too aggresively rude in responding to his alternative working methods- the work should speak for itself, period.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 26, 2004 02:32 PM: Message edited by: tim partridge ]</font>

[Tasty Fish Lips]

It's a perfect set-up for the unhappy actor to simply say out loud to the DP, "How do you think I should play this scene" loud enough for everyone to hear.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">If your actor is asking a DP for acting advise, then that's probably not the kind of actor you want to work with. Can you imagine a DP asking the actor, "How should I light this scene?"

In theory, when the DP's done setting up a shot, the cast then works with the director and the shot is consummated. If there is too much time for idle chit chat, then perhaps something is going wrong with the timing and scheduling aspects of the production, and that should be the biggest priority on the set.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Just like in any job, it's not just all work work work work work. And any employer should be aware that such condiitions lead to overwhelming stress. There's always downtime, somedays more than others. Do you want to work with robots or human beings? You can still have a hard-work ethic and enjoy yourself. Even on multi-million dollar Hollywood sets, there are always stories of practical jokes. And what about during the lunch break? The actor walks over to the DP to say, "Hey man, I like your work." What's the DP supposed to do, just smile and walk away?

Chit chat can alleviate stressful sitatuations, but it can also backfire if the wrong thing is said.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I really feel like a movie set, as far as chit chat is concerned, should be no different than any other job. I really think the problem here is ego. Theres this idea in the world that a film set and a movie being made is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD and it is the center of gravity and the people involved are superior to those not involved in the film.

Yes, questions about how to act in the scene and problems the actor is having with other cast members should be directed to the Director. But casual small talk during the downtime that sometimes happens during "hurry up and wait" is harmless. Of course, if you yourself aren't busy, but someone else is, then yes, DON'T bother them. Don't distract them. But maybe the two of you happen to be grabbing some snacks at the craft service table, which is the water cooler in any other 9-5 office job: "Hey nice shoot so far, huh? That scene was pretty cool? The set looks nice"

I really think this entire thread is based on ego. The professional filmmakers that many beginners idolize are seen in some kind of majestic light. And it leaks down to the beginners and film students, so preoccupied with behaving with the superior attitude that many arrogant and pretentious professional filmmakers display. Like the crap found in Easy Riders Raging Bulls.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 26, 2004 12:46 PM: Message edited by: Tasty Fish Lips ]</font>

[Stuart Brereton]

Hi,

I know that this conversation is probably old news by now, but I thought i would add my two cents worth.

I am a working DP, and I regard it as part of my job to talk to the talent. Wardrobe & Props talk to the actors about relevant info that they need to know regarding these departments. The DP talks to the actors regarding his/her dept. This is entirely normal.

If a Director instructed me not to talk to the actors, I would think it very strange, unless the director themselves was communicating all of the relevant information to them. In my experience, this almost never happens.

I do not wish to interfere with an Actors' performance, but neither do I want to see it ruined because of technical considerations that the Actor could have dealt with if only someone had told them.

Talking to the talent is part of the DP's job. When the DP starts to interfere with the director, he is no longer doing his job.

Stuart

[Alex]

Well said, keep it professional.

Should a director err on the side of being too strict or not strict enough?

[TJ_the_director]

interesting comments. perhaps what you're saying is keep it professional and it'll be ok?

[Alex]

Great find Tim!

A few follow-up questions would have been cool.

In my opinion as set interaction increases that does not directly involve the Directors vision the Directors credibility erodes.

(hehe, I just thought of another topic.) [img]graemlins/devil.gif[/img]

[jb_617]

Originally posted by Alex:
In my opinion as set interaction increases that does not directly involve the Directors vision the Directors credibility erodes.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't think that is true at all.


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But then what do I know?

[Alex]

It's just human nature to pal around with others on the set and in the process begin the inevitable task of dissing the "authorities".

[jb_617]

Yeah, I guess that's true. But then only a hypersensistive egomaniac would care. Right?


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This isn't school, what's the director going to do? Give me detention?