i did a play recently and i although i was looking for input i came across as being unsure of myself and lacking authority
how can i be in charge but still be open to ideas?
Do you yourself feel as if you came across as unsure, or others told you afterwards?
it is a delicate balance, and I have worked with professional theatre directors that allow actors a great deal of freedom. That, in my experience in my previous life as an Assistant Stage Manager, is most common. In a college environment, the director acts more as a teacher than director, but in professional theatre the director allows for a good deal of input.
So if you are coming off as unsure, it might just be your delivery. The actors need to know that you have the big picture in mind, and won't let them stray off base from the story you are in charge of telling. So you may not gain a great deal of confidence if you are ALWAYS needing input. But the occasional, "Look guys, I really don't know what we need here. Let's try a few things and figure this out" is not uncommon. That said, you can't seem as if you don't know what you want. It has to come off as "I know what I want, I just don't know the right way to get there". If that makes sense.
That's why I asked whether it is a perception you have of yourself, or if others expressed their discomfort to you. In either case, it might be due to the misperception that in a professional environment the director DIRECTS EVERYTHING. And that is not the case. It is a collaboration. The actors are in charge of their characters, and you are in charge of the overall story. And the best collaborations are when both needs are met. The actors look to you to make sure what they are doing is the right thing for the overall story. Are they all in the same play. Are their acting decisions appropriate for the style and story.
i found myself in a situation where i thought actors would gave me ideas but they started arguing with me and changing lines
the thing is i havent directed theatre before only short films so i was sort of asking their advice but it sort of back fired on me
That's a shame. But that might be the result of inexperienced actors.
sharei am working with actors who have more theatre experience than me but i am i think a good writer and know my scripts i also have loads of film experience but just am uncertain when it comes to things like casting rehearsal etc but at the same time i am learning
shareWhy did they want to change the lines? Was it because:
- the words didn't "flow" right, and they wanted them to sound natural, or
- they were just trying to assert themselves as actors.
As others have pointed out, it may be inexperience on their part (especially if the latter.)
Or, it may be you.
Have you had someone else read your script with a critical eye? I don't mean an actor, fellow writer or family member who will sugar-coat it. I mean someone who has read HUNDREDS of scripts and will look at it with a CRITICAL eye.
If the script holds up, then maybe you are giving them line readings. Actors HATE that.
If your script is solid and you are not giving them line readings, but allowing them to be their own characters, then I would guess it is inexperience.
Having done hundreds and hundreds of both film and theatre projects, all i suggest is to remember that, in theatre, actors MUST be true to the script. (In many cases, it is a requirement of the performance licence.) This is where you need to assert yourself from the first moment someone goes off the page. Very politely correct them every time. They will soon get the implied point that they either stick to the script or get off the project.
THEN you find out how solid your script is. If one leaves, and the rest stick to your script, it was good, and you just needed better casting. If ALL your actors leave, it's your script.
Sorry, but most of us can't really answer your question unless we know more about your script and your directorial style.