A director who can’t communicate loses the set. Jonathan Moore explains how good directors communicate with cast and crew, with lessons from a short shoot.
Having recently worked on a short film, I was struck by the director and her ineptitude when it came to communicating with the cast and crew. At times, I felt lost and unsure of what to do.
Technology has made making films easier than ever before. This often results in new filmmakers becoming enamored with the equipment and focusing on themselves and neglecting the very folks who are trying to tell their story: the cast and crew.
Being a good director means professionalism on the set. This means following the time-honored procedures of rehearsing, calling a shot and being specific with both cast and crew about what you want, as a director. It is no secret that many directors know exactly what they want – but do not have the ability or desire to communicate it.
Here are a few tips to begin better communication skills on set:
• Use an Assistant Director to
call the shot. You know the drill: Quiet on the set! Roll sound! Roll camera! Mark it – action! Doing this each and every time will encourage a routine and get both cast and crew in a rhythm that they will adhere to for the duration of the shoot. There are already too many unknowns on a set, so make sure there are no surprises when it comes to beginning a shot and that everyone knows what to expect.
• Rehearse! Yes, time is short.
The sun is going down and you are losing light. But before anyone pushes the red button, at least do a couple of quick run throughs so that both cast and crew know what to expect from blocking and performance.
• About that blocking! It pays
to have had at least some basic blocking established before shooting. Beginning filmmakers are often unclear about what the physicality of the scene is and give actors vague, useless direction. Be clear, specific. Help them work out the blocking in relation with the beats of the scene.
• Once “cut!” is called, always,
always attend to your cast first. Give them some feedback on the take and performance. If time is short, it may be nothing more than a wink or a thumbs up. But give them something. Let them know you care, that you are there for them.
• Once a shot has been
completed and you are satisfied with it, be sure and let everyone know that you are moving on to the next shot or scene. Keep everyone informed, let them know what to expect.
Being communicative in a professional and practical way will foster a smooth shoot and production. It will give you an air of authority and respect. After all, as director, you are the boss!
Related filmmaking guides
- Film directing: getting good performances
- Coverage and the master shot
- Camera angles in film: a beginner’s guide
Keep learning filmmaking
Want more lessons like this? Join StudentFilmmakers free for live webinars with working pros, and stream on-demand filmmaking classes in cinematography, directing, screenwriting, sound and post.
