The Actor and Director Relationship

I am writing this first blog as I successfully complete my second last semester in Film School. These past few months, I have had the privilege of bringing my first short film Wedding Planners to life. As I develop and hone my skills as a filmmaker, this production had me put what I've learned to the test.

This is my first completed short film which I wrote, produced, directed, and directed photography for, and I am glad to say, I feel ecstatic about the results. As a first-time filmmaker, I feel privileged to have worked with a cast and crew who are exceptional in their own fields of skill and talent.

Throughout the process of production I learned so much from my actors. Though I was taught how to direct actors within the school curriculum, I quickly realized that each actor reached for, and had achieved, their own understanding and rapport with their characters, and were ultimately able to improve the script.

As well, one of the fundamental lessons I learned from them was that the first takes can be the most raw and authentic. As the number of takes increase, the repetition can deplete their emotional expression and energy. For example, as time went on, it became harder for them to cry in expressing sadness. Eventually, we opted for eye drops.

I had always started with wide ‘master’ shots, and then proceeded to the more intimate close-up shots. Together, we discovered that it is beneficial to start with the close-up shots and end with the wide shots to capture the more significant, initial emotional expression.

I have learned that it is equally important and beneficial for writers and directors to be open, to learn from actors, as it is for actors to learn from writers and directors. I am truly grateful to my whole cast and crew, and look forward to working together again in the future. ~ Michael Marentette, June 2022

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-direct-actors-for-film/

https://michaelmarentette.wixsite.com/michael-marentette