do directors simply ask their actors how they prefer to work, or are they supposed to intuit that, the more...

Question

they get to know the actor

Answer 1

It depends entirely on the actors and the directors. In some cases they will ask, in others they will figure it out from the responses of the actors during auditions and the way the actors prepare for the auditions. Actors also have to learn to deal with the way directors function. Also, directors will find that some actors know the jargon of certain preparation techniques, but don't know the techniques having picked up the jargon from other actors who have had the training and using it to make themselves look better. The director may have to work with actors who want to use several different techniques but limited time restricts how much the director can adapt. An actor who wants to improv the backstory will have to cope with the situation when the director says, "That's nice, now when he pulls the gun, you need to move left."

Answer 2

Some directors run roughshod over actors, while some are gentle and calm and speak in soothing tones...

I think it depends on the director. Most actors are extremely complimentary of directors who let them kinda do what comes naturally and let the characters develop on their own, rather than demanding the actors play it "their way."

Actors are sometimes a temperamental lot, and a soft touch usually makes them much more comfortable.

But directors aren't always into letting other people have their way.

I doubt it would be a matter of asking actors about it--I'd say "good" directors (that is, ones who cooperate well with their actors) probably set up an environment conducive to experimentation and exploration of the characters and let the actors have some freedom.

Mean directors wouldn't care...so what would they ask for?

I guess that would be about intuition...or patience.

Even on a short, stressful shoot/rehearsal schedule, I'd say directors could foster a pleasant environment if they really worked at it.

Answer 3

It all depends on directors. Some are very choosy, some are not and let the actors "play".