Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Why is it wrong to give a line reading?

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Originally posted by edh915

I understand what TonyDi is saying, but I'll only resort to giving line readings to my actors as a last resort.  (Unless we're talking about misunderstanding some idiom or generational mode of speech - then it's just a lack of experience on the part of the actor and I'll step in to explain it.)  

I don't like being a little too quick to give a line reading, however, because I worry about stifling my actors - making them afraid to try anything on their own.  I'd rather have them "discover" the right reading - or, at least, an appropriate one.  So often, there is more than one way to say just about anything.

As for who gets the glory:  We all know that if the play's a success the actors get the credit.  If the show fails, it's the director's fault.  No big deal.

I love to direct - but you gotta deal with those damn actors.  The greatest challenge lies in bending your vision to accommodate your actors' abilities.  Yes, we challenge the actors, and they do their level best to deliver; but inevitably something you want will be outside of their ability to deliver.  Sometimes it's a minor point, sometimes not.  At that point you work with their strengths to get the best you can from them - even if it means altering some aspect of the play's impact.  It's more important for me to present a comprehensive whole to the audience, rather than have one actor displayed as being obviously out of his depth.  Your primary function as a director is to protect the show.

I love to act - but you gotta deal with those damn directors.  The greatest challenge can be dealing with a director who is less than well-versed in the intricacies of directing a play.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not some know-it-all who claims to know more than anyone else.  If I have difficulty with a director I keep it to myself, and I don't cop any kind of attitude about it either.  Something like that doesn't help the show in any way, shape, or form.  When I do a show, I put myself into the director's hands and give him all I can give.  The directors I respect are the ones who allow input from their actors.  Most do.  Some don't.

I try to be the kind of director I like to work for and, so far, it seems to be working all right for me.  I'm very proud of the fact that a pleasantly large percentage of my actors get nominated for local acting awards.  I'm extraordinarily pleased when one of my actors "surprises" his compatriots; when they say, "I never knew you could do something like that!"  Those moments (along with watching an audience leaving the theatre chattering away about the play they've just seen) are what I live for.  Absolutely priceless.  All I need is the accomplishment; I have no need at all of the "recognition."

I promise I will NOT go on at length - my posts are always too long.  ALAS, Ed I really AGREE with everything you've said.  I too, allow the actors to "find" their character. Actually I spend a GREAT DEAL of time developing the characters, discussing them, working individually even with actors if and when they need it - ESPECIALLY in shows that are not always comedic or musicals - although those are, in MY opinion, to be dealt with in the same way to make the characters more believable. BUT in dramatic or even lighter scripts I do like to dig deeply and talk about the characters with the actors - guiding them as I go along with what I want in mind for them to do.  The key is - that when it comes to hearing things a particualr way, to me it's much more expedient to simply give the line reading as the example rather than waste time beating around the bush. Time is always our enemy in community theater or even in professional theater as well.

I agree like you actors when you're a director are insane. Directors when you're an actor are insane. The key is to go with the flow. HOWEVER as in one blatant case I can recall - as a director, I had an actor who was inherently VERY GOOD.  But he was a case and a task to work with. A bit cosmic, a bit taken with himself - HATED having notes at the end of rehearsals. Asked me very inane and often goading questions most of the time.  Asked me after rolling his eyes many times during notes, "what is my motivation in such and such a scene".  My response - "BECAUSE I EFFIN' TOLD YOU TO DO IT"!!! BAD response on my part. But he got the point.  Directors - I've had a few who choreographed every step, gesture, quarter-turn, etc., etc. WORST director I ever dealt with.

BUT I said all that to say this - I just have learned to "deal with it" and do the best I possibly can in either role - actor or director. And if line readings were the only fault I have as a director, well I'd be doing great.  I'm not an end-all, but when as I said, my name is at the top, I want what I want and "the shortest distance between two points is a straight line" - so line readings - for which I apologize - are given to save time. And knowing I do that from the outset - most of the people who have worked for me get over.  I always tell them - if they're going to exhibit any - to leave their egos at the door. And if there is ANY ego at all - it will come from me - ALWAYS ON THEIR BEHALF!!

But yes, I agree with everything you said - in theory. It's such a subjective, experience based thing that makes what I do, what you or anyone else do, different for each of us. And if it works for you, by all means I support that. And I really DO try different things, different approaches to see what works best.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose but you keeping pressing on regardless.

As an old British friend of mine used to say - using the slogan of the RAF - the Royal British Air Force - "PER ARDUA, AD ASTRA"....."BY LABOR TO THE STARS".  That puts things into perspective for me quite often. Fruits of the labors - as you indicate - anonymity without the need for the recognition - EXCEPT for the ACTORS who put it all out there and make you proud.

Thanks for your comments - and again this is too long.  Sorry.

TonyDi

Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Topic: Why is it wrong to give a line reading?
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