My question is kind of humorous…. Who’s to blame for a bad performance from an actor??? The casting director picked the actors but is it really up to the director to make the actors perform better???!!! What about coming to set prepared as an actor or just natural talent… I’m sensing that it is everyone’s fault when one bad Apple spoils the bunch!!! How do you guys feel???
Filmmaking / Directing : Actors who su€k!!! by Nathan Waire
Other topics in Filmmaking / Directing:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
5 people like this
If you have zero talent as an actor/actress, I feel no hard work will help. Any director or casting director would have made the wrong call. Natural talen't. What is it? Do you know?! Does anybody know?! Maybe that the actor/actress in some way plays himself/herself? Does it have to do with reflection, in any way? MUST you go into method acting, and become Bill, the butcher, I don't know, hard to say. I only know that if I watch a good actor/actress, I never think they act. When I feel they act, that I'm watching a movie, I'm out! That's why I like to watch movies without filmstars in it. Less chance I get thrown out of the story.
6 people like this
Sometimes, it is the writer's fault. Not setting up enough of a strong desire and action line in the scene, or overall script can make an actor look pretty bad.
4 people like this
So much goes into a good performance and a poor one. Don't discount the editor, who can be critical in crafting a performance, picking takes, etc. Sometimes one actor's performance takes precedence and another's suffers from the choices made in post as a scene is put together. That's why so many acting coaches work to lift an actor's "floor" so every take is worthy.
2 people like this
Maria Restivo Glassner I never thought about that BUT there have been many lackluster movies that the actors have shined especially in the action/adventure genre
2 people like this
Sam Sokolow so true! Many of the Great actors have/had coaches!!!
2 people like this
Keep in mind that Casting Directors don't make the final call on casting, the Producers and Directors do. When holding auditions, callbacks, and even combing through self-tapes, a Director shouldn't only be looking for a strong natural performance they're supposed to be looking for signs that they can work with the actor and help improve the performance. That's why directors will sometimes give notes or ask a performer to go again with a specific intention, motivation, and bit of context involved to see if they can take the direction well in the room. Sometimes the communication between an actor and director just never comes together well throughout the process. But ultimately, the director should be doing everything they can to bring out the best performance from each actor, not just directing the other department heads. Occasionally, producers and directors will even reach out to acting coaches that they know to schedule coaching sessions for some performers who are struggling to get help from an outside voice that they may communicate with better than the director. But it's still up to the Director and Producers to make sure that all of those resources and options are being considered to make the final product as strong as possible.
6 people like this
The actor and the director. The actor needs to step their game up, considering they were hired because they were right for the job, and the director needs to properly guide them according to their needs so that they can give the best performance possible.
5 people like this
I second the idea that the editor plays a major role. Finding the good moments in mostly bad takes can save a scene. Cut entire lines if they’re never said with authenticity.
A good director can pull a performance from a sub-par actor, but it takes more time.
When I’ve worked with SAG actors, it’s so refreshing to see how prepared they are. The on-set time can be spent on getting nuanced interplay and perfecting camera moves, not just “getting the words right”. A pleasure to edit later, too.
3 people like this
The #1 problem IMO that leads to a flat or false performance is character motivations not being properly discussed and decided during auditions and rehearsals. That is ultimately the Director's job. If an actor you chose comes to set ill-prepared, take them aside and remind them of their commitment to the project and others. It's like coaching a sports team. As director, you create the mood on set - one of creativity and openness.
2 people like this
I totally Agree Tony Ray
1 person likes this
Nathan Waire- This week's blog is now LIVE with the week 4 July Filmmakers Club challenges! Anyone participating this week will be eligible for one of the 3 DaVinci Resolve Editing Licenses I'll be giving away on Friday. Don't miss out! The blog can be found here: https://www.stage32.com/blog/july-filmmakers-club-week-4-the-real-reel-a...