How to Direct Established Actors

EditSteps

1. 1
   Ask yourself, what do actors want? First and foremost the actor/actress needs to have confidence that you understanding the script, and therefore your direction won't be vague or confusing. They want to know that the director will push them to give a good performance as this will help them grow and learn. Actors need to be treated kind and respectfully as human beings.
   • Casting questions. Getting the right cast, is the most important thing you can do since they will need little input on performance and instead your role will become encouraging them.
2. 2
   Audition: First and foremost choose a scene and actor to read through when the actors audition.
   • It is not a performance, instead look for potential.
   • images.
   • different ways. Ask them to prepare how they will play the role, then suggest how they could do it differently (inform them this is your plan before the audition), so you can see the versatility of the actor.
   • Casting against type. If done right this can result in exciting performances.
   • Perform some improvisational work to improve your "act". Do improvisation to test their flexibility.
   • Callback. Before you make a final decision about an actor call them back for another audition.
   • Give them time and space. This will not only give them a chance to shine, it will give you the space to make a decision.
3. 3
   Ask questions; Listen; Learn with Them; Try and Fail; Be Open to Feedback From Them - and use what they have brought first. Your suggestions (i.e. directing) should be based on the foundation of listening first and valuing their input.
   • Odds are they know more about how they work than you do. If they are "established" then they've dealt with a lot of crap directing, they don't need more of it - they want and thrive on well thought out collaboration - which means going in to play ball, not a chance guessing game where you try and wing it. Do your homework - know what you want and why, but enjoy the creative process realizing things will and can change for the better.
4. 4
   Push Them. The Last Thing An Established Actor Wants Is A Walk In The Park. I have a theory that all Great Actors are slightly if not totally insane - use this to your advantage, they are hungry to delve and deliver what no one else can - they don't usually care about personal space, they usually have a bi-polar self-esteem, they value time and a story that sets them off! If they are picky it is for a reason - if they don't respect you - then you can't get them to go anywhere.
5. 5
   Care for them as people. They deserve this. Actors are real, not Cattle as Hitchcock so brilliantly said, or didn't say, doesn't matter - what does matter is that they live with themselves everyday, they have a mother and father, they hurt, they love, they are wonderful learners and in tune with something most don't and can't get near for whatever reason, and therefore they need love - just like all of us. Learn to care for them wherever they are at.