Should an aspiring film director take acting classes?

Question

I would like to become a Film director one day and was wondering if it would be worth my money/time to enroll in our college's "begnning acting class".

I was always told that any director should have some kind of acting background and "it would be good to know what it is like to be on the recieving end".

But at the same time, I've been told that it is quite different and might "hinder my way of thinking as a director".

I'm actually torn between two classes: "Beginning acting" and "Sound Design". Which class would prove more worthy?

It would be great to hear from both directors AND actors. Let your opinions and experiences gush out so that I may become more wise in this decision.

Answer 1

I believe it would be very beneficial to you to take some acting classes as well as the Sound Design classes and Photogrphy and Video.

If you really want to work in the "Film Business" try to learn as much about all the aspects which go in to actually making a film.

At this time we are in sync, I am collaborating on a short film project with my acting coach and a friend from acting class. Today was our first Production Meeting and we are full steam ahead... so far. I know we will run into some snags but that's because we are learning.

The point here is if you take the acting class you will be able to relate your ideas to the actors better and understand where they are coming from as well. Acting and directing are two different things so if you are sitting in the directors chair you won't be thinking like an actor. You will be able to keep them separate. Think Ron Howard, Clint Eastwood, DeNiro... etc. Good actors good directors.

Good luck, it is a harsh business so just stick with it.

Answer 2

Some great directors never acted in their life and couldn't bother less about the mechanisms allowing actors to inhabit their parts. Other were great actors in their own rights. Lighting, sounds, photo, set etc. There are many aspects to a film and no standard back ground for directing. You will always learn interesting things in an acting class providing the teacher is worth his or her salt. Maybe you should try to find out more about the teacher's background and what become of the people who took the class. A bad acting class isn't just a waste of time. It can distort you view on acting in the long term.

Answer 3

Frankly, you need both classes. But, it you're really in a situation where you have to choose, take the acting class. As a film director, you'll be fine if you have a competent sound designer working with you. BUT, if you don't know how to communicate effectively with your actors -- and that means knowing enough about their process to "speak their language" -- you're in trouble.

As a long-time actor (who also directs), I can tell you that, without exception, the best directors I've ever worked with are those that had some experience as actors as well. You need a first-hand experience of what actors NEED in the way of directorial input; only then can you coax their best work out of them.

Answer 4

I'm an independant director. Understanding acting, and more importantly actors themselves, is ofcourse very important to directing. Although, I'm not sure a lot of acting classes are really that useful for a director. I've taken acting classes and workshops myself, but I've usually quit early on. Maybe just go to a couple classes, but not take it all?

I believe the director should edit their own films, or atleast be very involved in how editting will be done from pre-production. (Inexperience in what will later cause editting difficulties could cause you a LOT of annoyance later.) In indpendant film, you're also probably going to be cutting your own soundtrack. Although the audiene is rarely conscious of the fact (which is how it should be), music is VERY important in film. I would go with Sound Design.

But I should add, in my experience, courses and classes are fine for theory... but you REALLY learn how to make films on set. A good director needs not only to understand the concerns of the DOP and the actors, but also the gauffers, art directors and props, locations, boom mic and sound mixer... everything. (Sound quality is another area that you will be kicking yourself later if you neglect early on.) The best thing is to try everything yourself. If you have alocal Film Co-Op or something, volunteer on everything you can. Try to get any job on a local pro shoot, any job you can... as a beginner you can learn SO much just as a go-fer or PA.

Answer 5

I think that's a good idea. That way you can know what to look for in the people you are directing. Hope I was helpful ^.^