how do you evaluate a director's work?
Thu, 26 Mar 2009, 05:59 pmLisa Skryp49 posts in thread
how do you evaluate a director's work?
Thu, 26 Mar 2009, 05:59 pmI have been reflecting on my reactions to theatre that I see.
As an actor who has yet to tackle directing, I realise I generally look at things from that point of view. My observations re: lighting/set design/sound are generally minimal - unless it is particularly amazing or dreadful. Sad I know, but true.
As to the direction of a show, it is a similar thing for me; unless someone makes some very different thematic/interpretive/stylistic departure from the expected, I don't tend to notice & the lucky actors get all the credit for a great show.
To me it would seem that if a director has done a good job, no one will really notice, as the show will flow smoothly, tell the tale effectively & captivate as it should.
Just wondering - how do you evaluate a director's work? What are your thoughts on this, folks?
equal shares
Fri, 27 Mar 2009, 11:55 pmYou have made, in my view, a seriously important point . . . that actors have equal responsibilities towards the quality of show. And working collaboratively is a productive way of doing things.
My only experience is in amateur theatre, which is made of people who have an affinity for things theatrical. Affinity, though, does not equate to competency (though it would help competency develop). So we all get things wrong from time to time. Our acting isn't perfect, nor is the lighting, nor the set construction . . . and nor is the directing. Does that give us licence to castigate the poor sod who has taken on the role of directing (for one reason or another, but often because no-one else will)? Not really. The collaborative approach says that we're all in this together, and if there's stuff that the director is doing that's not working, we work around it, or we help the director to make it work. We don't hang them out to dry (a bit like what they did to Queeg in The Caine Mutiny). And with luck, someone will come to our aid when we get stuck.