“Directing Actors” is a 3
day hands-on workshop with Peter D. Marshall and Trilby Jeeves that
concentrates on the filmmaker's main task: directing the actor! This
workshop was designed for filmmakers who want to understand the acting
process and how to get the best results from actors.
In the last 20 years, Peter D. Marshall
has Directed episodes of TV
shows such as "John Woo's Once a Thief", "Wiseguy", "21 Jumpstreet",
"Neon Rider", "The Black Stallion", "The Famous Jett Jackson", "Scene
of the Crime", "Power Play", "Big Wolf on Campus" and "Largo Winch"."
Peter was also
the Executive Creative Consultant on all 22
one-hour episodes of the TV Series,"John Woo's Once a Thief."
As a 1st AD, Peter
has had the opportunity to work with actors such as Peter O'Toole,
Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, John Travolta, Kathy Bates, Michelle
Pfiefer, Marcia Gaye Harden, Madeleine Stowe, Mel Gibson, Ashton
Kutcher, Adam Sandler and Goldie Hawn.
Trilby
Jeeves was the first
English student to
be theatrically trained in her second language for 3 years at Le
Conservatoire d'Art Dramatique in Québec City. She
went on to perform in over 40 plays in both languages across Canada, eventually coming back to Vancouver.
As
well as performing, Trilby worked in the film industry for 10 years as
a set costumer on a variety of television series and feature films. Trilby also directed
"Les Monologues du Vagin" two years running.
Trilby has taught classes in buffoonery and improvisation throughout Canadian high schools and she is currently
teaching her successful Buffoonery Acting Workshops to
professional
actors and drama students across Canada.
"Directing the Actor"
Class
Size - no more than 20
Previous
directing experience is preferred - but not mandatory.
Workshop
Objective - The objective of this workshop is to explore a
film director’s creative process in shaping a performance and
choosing scene coverage in a dramatic film. When this 3 day workshop is
completed, participants will see for themselves how any director, even
someone with very little experience, can effectively break down a
script, block a scene and get a believable performance from an actor!
Those directors who attend this three-day
“Directing Actors”
workshop will have the opportunity to discover:
- why "politics" play a major role in your success as a director
- why you must understand "film montage" before you direct
- the importance of the actor-director relationship
- the quick reference guide to script and scene analysis
- how to break down your script to understand the story
- why you must know the objectives of every character
- how the director creates the sub-world of the script
- the five parts to staging and blocking a scene
- the creative use of camera techniques
- why "listening for the truth" is your best directing tool
- the three qualities of an actor you look for during casting
- the secrets of getting a good performance from an actor
- how to guide an actor's performance on the set
- guidelines for working with the crew on the set
Day One
– this day covers the theory behind the director’s job, the
importance of script and scene breakdown, character analysis tips,
understanding the actor’s process, proper blocking techniques and
guidelines for the casting session.
Days Two & Three -
Over these two days, each participant will be partnered with another
class member to direct a scene. Other class members will be chosen as
the actors. In this way, everyone will experience the directing process
from both sides of the camera. Each group will block and stage the
scene, direct the two "actors" and shoot the scene based on camera
angles that best portray the scene objective and the character
objectives.
DAY ONE: DIRECTING ACTORS (THE THEORY)
A. IN THE BEGINNING
1. Introduction
2. Personal Observations
3. Ego vs Self-Importance
4. How to Make a Movie 101
B. THE BUSINESS OF FILM
1. The Business and Politics of Film
2. How to Work and Survive in “The Business”
3. Differences Between Theatre, Film & TV
C. THE SCRIPT
1. The Shooting Script
2. The Standard Three-Act Structure
3. Five Sources of Conflict
4. Script Breakdown Formula
5. Script Analysis
6. Scene Analysis
7. Script Beats
D. THE DIRECTOR
1. What is a Director?
2. Three Types of Director
3. The Director's Background
4. The Television Director
5. Subtext and Mise-en-Scene
6. The Director’s Visual Concept
E. THE ACTOR
1. What is an Actor?
2. Four Types of Actors
3. The Seven Categories of Actors
4. The Actor’s Job
5. The Actor/Director Relationship
F. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT & ANALYSIS
1. Character Development
2. Character Objectives
3. Character Personality Traits
4. Director - Character Analysis
5. Actor - Character Analysis
6. Importance of Backstory
G. CAMERA TECHNIQUES & TERMINOLOGY
1. Cinematic Elements and Terminology
2. Understanding Camera Techniques
3. The Shot List
4. The 180-Degree Rule
H. CASTING (THE AUDITION)
1. The Casting Process
2. Casting Quick Reference
3. Director Guidelines – Casting
I. ON THE SET - BLOCKING & REHEARSING
1. What is Blocking?
2. 5 Parts to Blocking a Scene
3. The Psychology of Movement
4. Basic Blocking and Staging Techniques
5. Tips for Blocking and Staging a Scene
6. Tips for Working with Actors on a Set
DAY 2 – BLOCKING, REHEARSING & SHOOTING
Two directors will partner up to direct two "actors" and shoot their
scene with camera angles that best portray the scene objective and the
character objectives.
Each directing group will do the following:
1. discuss their scene theme and objectives with the class
2. discuss their character objectives with the class
3. block and rehearse their scene with 2 actors
4. discuss their shot plan with the class
5. shoot their scene with the actors
DAY 3 – BLOCKING, REHEARSING & SHOOTING
Each directing group will do the following:
1. discuss their scene theme and objectives with the class
2. discuss their character objectives with the class
3. block and rehearse their scene with 2 actors
4. discuss their shot plan with the class
5. shoot their scene with the actors
How to
contact Peter D. Marshall
If you are interested in finding out more about
"Directing the Actor," contact me to discuss how we can bring this
workshop to your city.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Peter D. Marshall
pdm@actioncutprint.com