Learning path · Directing
Directing actors
Working with actors: playable choices in the script, rehearsals, notes on set and running a casting.
Free films in teaching order, for one craft. Watch, tick them off and test yourself. It's practice that prepares you for an Academy course. This one prepares you for Story to Screen Foundation.
Lesson 1
How to Direct Actors — Directing Advice from the Greats
StudioBinder · 21:05 · original on YouTube
You will learn: Learn the core principles great directors use when working with actors.
Note: A survey of approaches; note the ones that suit you.
By the end you will be able to
- Give playable direction (actions and objectives) instead of result direction
- Prepare a scene and run a short rehearsal
- Give clear, useful notes between takes and adjust performances for the camera
- Run a casting session and request usable self-tapes
Test yourself
Could you do it on a set?
4 real situations, one for each thing this path teaches. It's optional practice, not pass or fail, and your answers stay on this device.
Next: do it for real
This path prepares you for Story to Screen Foundation.
The story track for the Story to Screen Lab, with Screen Sisters CIC: idea, logline, one-page treatment, pitch, and the producing basics that get a short made.
It's coming next: register interest and we'll tell you when it opens. Meanwhile, start with Day One.
How learning with FIF works
Learning path. Free films in teaching order, for one craft. Watch, tick them off and test yourself. It's practice that prepares you for an Academy course.
- Learn onlineFree films, paths and Academy coursesYou are here
- Competency checkA short check with us, online or in person
- In-person practicalOn our unit at Pinewood or 3 Mills
- FIF CertificateFrom the practical only
The FIF Certificate comes only from the practical. How it works · Book a competency check
BFI Future Film Festival 2022 | How to Direct Actors with Judith WestonBFI · Lesson59 min.
If A Scene Doesn't Contain An Emotional Event It Must Be Removed - Judith WestonFilm Courage · Lesson16 min.
Sam Mendes on his Rehearsal Process | National TheatreNational Theatre · Lesson8 min.
Mike Leigh - The Rehearsal Process NDH26NoDirectionHome Film Community · Lesson10 min.
Pro Cinematographer On What Separates Great Actors From Everybody Else - Andy RydzewskiFilm Courage · Lesson10 min.
How To Direct Actors: Working With Non ActorsD4Darious · Lesson4 min.
The Self-Tape Musts - Casting Director Frank MoiselleSpotlight · Lesson2 min.
Directing A Child Actor by Anna Rose HolmerFilm Courage · Lesson3 min.
Go further
Beyond YouTube, labelled honestly. Free first. Paid options are labelled.
- Spotlight Free to post castings; paid for actors
Spotlight. The UK's main casting platform; use it to post castings and read its advice for productions. - Casting Directors' Guild Free to browse
CDG. UK professional body for casting directors, with guidance on good casting practice. - NFTS short courses Paid (varies)
National Film and Television School. Look for directing-actors and directing drama short courses. - Raindance courses Paid
Raindance. Includes courses on directing actors for independent filmmakers. - Directing Actors Paid (£495)
NFTS. Five-day course. - A Director's Toolkit: How to Get Great Performances from Actors Paid (£75)
NFTS. Two-hour online session. - Equity Free to browse
Equity. UK performers' union: agreements, safe working and AI guidance. - Ron Howard Teaches Directing Paid subscription
MasterClass. Includes working with actors.
For learners and trainers
Every lesson is a free video by its original maker, played from YouTube with privacy-enhanced settings. Found a broken video? Email [email protected].