12 TIPS FOR DIRECTORS

Here are some of the ways a director needs to be prepared in order to earn the trust and respect of the actors (I’ll stop at 12).

  1. Prepared, competent and organized with all technical aspects of filmmaking.
  2. Visual and tonal ideas that reveal the emotional core of the story.
  3. Has done the research.
  4. Able to recognize emotional truth.
  5. An understanding of *emotional event* that is, the emotional moments and transformations that lie under the plot, action and dialogue.
  6. A knowledge of *what the story is about* and by that I mean *what the story is really about* (not just the plot or logline).
  7. Brings personal commitment and passion to the story.
  8. Flexible. Open. A good listener, and by *good listener* I mean a genuine interest in other people’s ideas and needs.
  9. Working knowledge and insight about human behavior.
  10. Loves the characters.
  11. Loves actors.
  12. For every choice, a plan, a back-up plan, and a back-up for your back-up.

  • “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