Ask Judith: Submission #19

Submission Number: 19
Submission ID: 103
Submission UUID: cef08edd-7f95-4676-8bff-3b8e4bdc547f
Submission URI: /web/ask-judith

Created: Tue, 09/27/2022 - 06:32 AM
Completed: Tue, 09/27/2022 - 06:32 AM
Changed: Tue, 12/26/2023 - 12:58 PM

Remote IP address: 88.108.175.20
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Webform: Ask Judith
Submitted to: Ask Judith
Name Iris
Email (optional) irisbreward@hotmail.com
Question Hi Judith, I am a young filmmaker just starting out making short films and trying to learn as much as possible. Your books and writings have changed my life! It sounds crazy but I always cry when I’m reading them because the way you write about this work validates something deep in me about why I want to be doing it. Thank you so much for that. Anyway - I’m preparing for my next short film who will be low budget and made with friends (including actor friends!). I have three questions:

1. How should you approach directing friends who are actors. I am naturally drawn to casting friends because of the intimacy and I suppose the insight I have into who they are. But it also makes me nervous to add another dimension to that relationship, especially as many of my actor friends have been actors for years and I’ve only been filmmaking for around 2 years myself. Any tips on this?
2. How should I approach planning auditions and rehearsal? As we basically have no budget I don’t think I’ll be able to find a casting director. Do you have any advice for the best exercise to do in an audition? And in terms of rehearsal, how much should I plan it? Should I have lots of exercises planned out? Should we rehearse the script or just rehearse using improvisation? I understand a lot of these are probably just a question of taste and process but I’d love to hear the methods or approach you would favour.
3. The film involves a childrens birthday party and lots of kids. I’ve not worked with kids before and I’ve seen that in your 25th anniversary edition there is a chapter on working with children so I’ve ordered that to read. However, one concern I have is that we won’t be able to afford rehearsal with the children. We’ll be able to rehearse with the adult actors but many of the scenes also involve the kids. How should I work around this? How can I help the actors get acquainted with the kids and prepare for scenes with them?

Sorry this is a lot! I know much of this is touched on in your books but I’m keen to hear any specific tips or advice you have. Thank you again!

Iris
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  • “I am eternally grateful for your help.”

    TAIKA WAITITI, writer-director, JOJO RABBIT, THOR RAGNAROK, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE, WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, BOY, EAGLE VS SHARK, FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS

  • “I took a seminar with an acting teacher named Judith Weston. I learned a key insight to character. She believed that all well-drawn characters have a spine, and the idea is that the character has an inner motor, a dominant, unconscious goal that they’re striving for, an itch that they can’t scratch. I took to this like a duck to water.”

    ANDREW STANTON [from his Feb 2012 TED Talk] writer-director, FINDING DORY, WALL-E, FINDING NEMO, A BUG’S LIFE; director, BETTER CALL SAUL, STRANGER THINGS; writer, TOY STORY, TOY STORY 2, TOY STORY 3

  • "Judith's method is wonderful because it is practical. She has given me numerous tools to solve problems on the set and to earn the trust of actors. Her classes and her book are invaluable resources to any director."

    LAWRENCE TRILLING, director, GOLIATH, RECTIFY, PARENTHOOD, MASTERS OF SEX, PUSHING DAISIES, DAMAGES, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, NIP/TUCK, MONK, SCRUBS, INVASION, ALIAS, FELICITY

  • "Thank you for teaching me how to direct actors. Taking your classes made me believe I could direct. Taking your classes gave me a base, a foundation, a framework to find my own style. To step out on faith. I'm forever grateful. Love and respect to you, magnificent Judith Weston." 

    AVA DuVERNAY, director, WHEN THEY SEE US, QUEEN SUGAR, A WRINKLE IN TIME, SELMA, SCANDAL, MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

  • "Everything you taught me was more than useful. I am deeply grateful."

    ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ IÑÁRRITU, director, THE REVENANT, BIRDMAN, BIUTIFUL, BABEL, 21 GRAMS, AMORES PERROS