Do actors like specific direction or very little? I haven’t met an actor yet who didn’t like very specific direction. But on the other hand, it reminds me of the Will Rogers line “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” Sometimes standing out of the way is the best direction of all.
How do you get an actor to play a role the way you want if he wants to do something else? It’s no use trying to stretch an actor to fit a director’s vision. It’s best for the movie to go to the actor. But if that isn’t working, keep shooting. Perhaps they’ll get tired and accidentally stop “acting.”
Is there a problem when an actor who loves to improvise works with an actor who doesn’t? Most actors are looking for improvisation to keep things exciting. It only becomes a problem when that turns into moments which feel out of character. I tell them, politely and gently, “That has no chance of being in the film. Let’s work on what does.”
Can you talk about directing Day-Lewis? I’m reminded of Will Rogers again: “Never miss a good chance to shut up.”
