1)Screenwriting
Cut out the fat, be brutal.
2)Directing
Direct actors, not cameras.
3)Producing
Never spend your own money.
4)Acting
Learn how to cry.
1) Writing: Write what you know.
2) Directing: Always get the shot you want. Filmmaking is the art of compromise and as long as everyone is out there, in costume, know their lines, you might as well go that extra take or two to get the shot you want.
3) Producing: Try and create your way out of problems.
4) Acting: Learn how to make the audience cry.
Other peoples success or talent doesn't negate your own.
Know your audience.
a tip given to me by a promoter, years ago when i was playing in a rock band. i never really got it at first...but as i get older i realise what a good piece of advice it is!
Sergei Eisenstein's theory of montage. It applies to acting, directing, writing, editing.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">[img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]2)Directing
Direct actors, not cameras.
...but about crying and acting:
Crying isn't acting. It's biological. It depends on the individuals glands. Same with sweating. Some people sweat more than others. And bleeding - does an actor really have to bleed?
fake blood
fake sweat
fake tears
Of course I think it's great if an actor can cry on cue. But it doesn't say a thing about their acting ability.
the best tip i ever got was from this guy i knew who had leprosy
...so from all the books, websites, interviews, friends...whatever.
Whats the best, most useful tip they've ever given you on either:
1)Screenwriting
2)Directing
3)Producing
4)Acting
...or anything else film-related.
take the lens cap off
Screenwriting:
? Be prepared to kill your darlings.
? Beginning, middle, end.
? If you get stuck just write anything - at least then you have someting to change.
? Conflict is key
? Thou shallt not bore
Directing:
? Go with your instincts.
? ALL ideas are valid, whomever they may come from (even the janitor).
? Actors are sensitive creatures - try not to say 'no' to them (if they feel insecure it can affect their performance).
? Never 'appear' to be indecisive (even if you are).
Acting:
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sit in on a 'Meisner Technique' class (based on the teaching of Sanford Meisner who studied under Stanislavski) a few weeks ago. The fundamentals of which are:
? "Invest in the reality of doing" and;
? "Live truthfully under a given set of circumstances".
These are VERY simple principles but are hellishly difficult to achieve or master. For instance the students spent three weeks just learning how to walk to a door truthfully, ie without 'acting'.
In general:
? One general theory, which comes from one of my old design tutors (the late great Abram Games who created the classic war posters such as 'Careless talk costs lives' etc), these are truly great words which apply to everything:
MAXIMUM MEANING, MINIMUM MEANS!
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 23, 2004 01:02 PM: Message edited by: Justin M. ]</font>
1)Screenwriting
Use archetypes.
2)Directing
Rehearse.
3)Producing
2 things:
Preproduction - stop farting around get on with it, and arrange the shoot.
On Set - Keep people happy. Feed them.
4)Acting
Dont try to get it right, try to get it done.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks