Have you ever wished you could read an actor’s mind? Many content creators have found it difficult to communicate with performers due to the fact that they come from completely different backgrounds. In this article, I interview a series of talented thespians and ask them about their perspective on filmmaking and what they expect when preparing for a project. We will also discuss what a content creator can do to put actors at ease during the casting process and create the optimal working conditions on a film set. For this assignment, I talked with Kane Dunn, a talented model/actor from Niagara Falls who trained at Second City and has made appearances on popular TV shows such as “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “Umbrella Academy.”
Additionally, I also had the opportunity to interview Krissy Neumann, a gifted theatre/film actress who hails from southern Ontario and has starred in the award-winning short films “The Mountain King” and “Three Minutes with Angie.” By listening to Krissy and Kane, I learned about the life of a performer and how I, as a filmmaker, can communicate with actors more effectively and make my production sets more friendly and engaging for my cast members. Specifically, I realized the benefits of providing actors with constructive feedback and encouraging them to improvise during their auditions. Also, I recognized the positive impact of selecting a social setting (such as a cafe or restaurant) as opposed to an office when meeting with an actor in order to put them at ease. This article will hopefully function as a blueprint for producers and casting directors to better understand the experience of the performer and how to enhance the casting and filmmaking process for them.
Kane Dunn, model and actor
Providing scene context
Giving an actor a brief outline of the emotional context of a scene can significantly enhance the quality of their performance at an audition. A copy of the script with a breakdown of the character and scene will usually be delivered to the performer in advance. However, it wise to review this material prior to the audition in order to remind the actor of these aspects of the content and allow them a few moments to prepare. As Krissy pointed out to me, “I NEED…the full scope of the story, the landscape, the reason, the presence behind the obvious, the period, the dress...all the things I need to create my internal world within the story.” Similarly, Kane explained that “receiving all the information on call times, role, and travel instructions” are extremely helpful to a performer while preparing for a casting session. However, I would add that it is wise to gauge the amount of information that you offer a performer based on their demeanour as some actors wish to discuss this material following their audition as opposed to before.
Offering constructive feedback
When offering feedback to a performer, it is important to provide encouragement and give specific notes that can be easily implemented. Conversely, it is wise to avoid generalizations or critical terms that may potentially inhibit the actor. As Kane pointed out, “I expect the film maker to act professionally, keeping a respectable demeanor on set [and] even when things are on a tight schedule, one needs to keep cool under pressure.” As I have learned, it is also vital to understand the psychology of each performer and for a filmmaker to tailor their feedback so that it will provide the greatest benefit for that specific actor.
Krissy Neumann, theatre and film actress
Encourage improvisation
Traditionally the audition process is highly formal and entails an actor attending a series of meetings with a group of producers and casting directors to perform a single scene from the film. However, this practice is gradually changing as actors are increasingly taking on production roles and implementing new tactics in order to make the auditioning process more friendly to the performer. For example, French actress/writer/director Julie Delpy encourages improvisation and invites actors to audition multiple times in a single casting session in order to ease them into the process and offer them numerous opportunities to make an impression on the producers. This practice helps to alleviate the pressures associated with auditioning and create a more relaxed and informal atmosphere for the performer.
Be sensitive to the emotional needs of the actor
Holding auditions in an office or other formal settings can often be intimidating for an actor, and it may be beneficial to select a social setting such as a cafe or restaurant to meet in order to eliminate certain anxieties. It is important for filmmakers to listen to their performers and view these alliances as a partnership. According to Kane, the central responsibility of a director is to “be courteous to all the actors, both main and background on set [as] actors want to know they are appreciated.” Similarly, Krissy stated that it is important for filmmakers to “be kind and approachable [as] everyone is trying their best to give the project their utmost skill.”
Working as a filmmaker can be tricky business - you not only have to ensure that the production runs smoothly but also satisfy the needs of your cast and crew. As stress levels rise, it is easy for content creators to become consumed with their own responsibilities and lose sight of the collaborative and communal nature of filmmaking. These issues that Krissy and Kane have pointed out to me are considerations that I will definitely keep in mind the next time I am on a production shoot and will hopefully improve my skills as a director and leader.
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Note From Tongal: This blog is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here!
