Deja vu: we’re a full week out from shoot.
Last night was a read-through with the cast, with Mr Hargreaves, Ms Oliver and Mr Forster attending. Read-throughs are always interesting. Actors will either read their lines flat, conserving their energy, or with a bit of energy to feel out whoever they’re trading lines with. For my part, I have to remember that a read-through is just that: everyone literally reading through the script out loud. It’s not the place to give notes; it’s a time to note secretly to yourself what’s dead in the script and to get a feel for how the actors are approaching their characters.
After the read-through there was a Q&A where relationships were discussed and defined. I used to dread such conversations. I used to think, I, the Writor, have conured these words to come out of the mouths of yon characters, and they are what they are. Actors need more than that. As do the production designer (“What sort of vibe do you want in this location?”), the cinematographer (“How do you want to pace this scene?”) and so on.
Sure, it’s fun to quote Harrison Ford‘s “acting school of ‘let’s pretend'” and write actors off as a bunch of high-maintenance nonces but remember that they’re not just your mouth-piece – nor are they some Hitchcockian puppet who must respect your authoritah.
They’re a fellow collaborator.
Treat and direct ’em right, and they’ll make you look good.
Enough pre-prod avoidance. Kirk out.
