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FilmSkool — a free film school

How to Fix Bad Acting (6 directing tricks)

Walks through six practical directing interventions for a flat or overacted take, including adjusting blocking, changing the actor's task, and moving the camera closer. Framed around real problems a director hits mid shoot day.

Standard Story Company · 9 min · Beginner · ACT · Acting · 2021

What you take away

When a take reads flat, change the actor's physical task in the scene rather than repeating the note.

Watch it

Filed under

Oscar-winning performances

Books on acting

Directing Actors — Judith Weston
The Actor’s Art and Craft — William Esper, Damon DiMarco
Acting in Film — Michael Caine
Respect for Acting — Uta Hagen
Sanford Meisner on Acting — Sanford Meisner, Dennis Longwell
The Power of the Actor — Ivana Chubbuck

More Acting

Michael Caine Teaches Acting In Film — FilmKunst · 58m · Advanced
Actors Roundtable: Adam Driver, Shia LaBeouf, Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, Jamie Foxx | Close Up — The Hollywood Reporter · 45m · Advanced
Directing Actors with Judith Weston — michaelwiese · 58m · Intermediate
Sam Mendes on his Rehearsal Process | National Theatre — National Theatre · 8m · Advanced
BFI Future Film Festival 2022 | How to Direct Actors with Judith Weston — BFI · 48m · Intermediate
Directing Actors: Creating Memorable Performances For Film & TV - Judith Weston [FULL INTERVIEW] — Film Courage · 38m · Intermediate
How to Direct Actors — Directing Advice from the Greats — StudioBinder · 21m · Intermediate
Off Camera with Sam Jones — Featuring Jeff Bridges — theoffcamerashow · 30m · Intermediate
Off Camera with Sam Jones — Featuring Robert Downey Jr. — theoffcamerashow · 30m · Intermediate
What is Method Acting — It's Not What You Think It Is — StudioBinder · 16m · Intermediate
Interview - Kirk Douglas - Paths of Glory (1957) — Criterion Extras · 30m · Intermediate
Directing Actors Masterclass - Pip Edwards — Sydney Actors School · 76m · Advanced

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