Actors: Do you mind being a tool in the director's vision or would you rather be a collaborator?

Question

Many directors have a personal vision that supercedes any suggestion an actor might provide, and yet many actors would prefer to have some kind of input regarding how their character is portrayed.

Answer 1

This is a great question.

As an actor, I fully EXPECT to be a collaborator with the director every time out. Despite what some directors seem to think, it's absolutely NOT their job to "create" each actors' performance. Actors act, and directors direct. To "direct" a performance means to shape, mold, and direct it...not to imagine it.

I've gone to war with several directors in my time...basically, I've never understood why I, as a diligent and experienced actor, should be at the WHIM of (so-called) directors who really don't know which end is up. Unless a director demonstrates to me that he/she knows the play in question as well as I do -- if not better! -- I'm a little reluctant to let them move me around like a pawn.

HOWEVER...there are a few -- and I mean a VERY few -- truly enlightened directors out there. And when I encounter one of them (it's rare, but it happens), I will absolutely give over to their talent and vision. It's actually kind of liberating. You can just pick up your feet and flow with their insight, instead of constantly having to worry about doing THEIR job as well as your own.

Answer 2

The director's job is to give a vision to the production, and the actor's job is to bring a character to life. While the actor may have some input into the portrayal of the character he or she is playing, the actor has a responsibility to listen to the director and follow the director's instructions.

Answer 3

Tool

Answer 4

a tool