This topic came up in a recent Executive Hour in the Writer's Room and I thought I'd open it up to the rest of our filmmakers - when you aren't on set, rehearsing your actors, or making the final edit, what DO you do to keep your directing skills sharp? Lookbooks? Storyboards? Cinematography? Editing? Acting? SHARE BELOW!
Btw, we've unpacked this subject a few times in different ways! Here are a few past posts if you'd like to deep dive into the community consciousness.Practice: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing/Practice
Keeping Busy in Lockdown: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing/Keeping-Busy-in-Lockdown
Inspiration: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing/Inspiration
Directing: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing/Directing-7
In this Filmmaking/Directing forum: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing/In-this-filmmaking-DIRECTING-forum
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Kay, this is a super-interesting question. I hope more directors chime in.
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I storyboard using FrameForge 4, and can also turn the storyboards into an animatic. The great thing about the software is that it uses a 3D environment so that you can try different angles and camera setups. I can then play around editing the pacing and transitions with the animatic in HitFilm. So during the pandemic with limited human contact, I've gone fully CG with pre-vis. When we're able to get back on set, I'll have already figured out my shots and setups.
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Practice? I suppose... I work with actors in live reads, if that's considered practice. However, as I am in development on several projects.... that's all directing work.
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I refine my skill set and work on becoming a Subject Matter Expert.
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Never heard of Frame Forge William Joseph Hill thank you for the tip. I draw things. I'll read it out loud and act it. If I can't say it, no one can.
I also watch a lot of film. This sounds dumb. But what a film from the 80's and now and see what passes as good acting. Not from the greats, but the average actor. These day even small parts want more to do. (Robert Doweny Jr in "less than zero" amazingly good).
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I'm not sure how you 'practice' directing. I like to try different things during rehearsals to find what works given the talent available but I don't see that as 'practice' directing. You must know the story/script from every angle and be open to other's input. I view the Director's job as making the talent look its best. I don't think that you practice - you just go do it. When it goes well - I'm the hero. When it goes badly, I accept my shortcomings - learn from it and pledge to do better next time. It's learn by doing, no 'practice' necessary.
Where is Vi when you need her - she always has the coolest exercises!
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I download scripts of produced projects, ideally shows or movies I've not yet seen, shot list and storyboard them. The fun comes in watching the finished product that someone else directed and comparing choices. There's always something to learn, and sometimes I like my ideas even better!
I LOVE this exercise, Julie! Do you share what you've done as an example of your work, or do you just do it to flex those muscles?
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Never shared, but I will share that it's enlightening. For example, I now always remember to shoot a POV whenever you have a shot of a character looking around. I would get inserts or specific shots to cover lines like, " ... the keys hung from the guard's belt..." so I'd list a shot for POV of Keys, but forget the POV of a new environment. It seems basic now, but it's one I would forget when first shotlisting, but would be there in the cut when I would compare.