The top complaint I hear from industry personnel is
that talent cannot accurately follow directions. I could spend an entire
blog making excuses for why talent repeatedly confirm this fact, but that
wouldn’t be productive. Let me start by saying that I agree that there
are many distractions that contribute to the inability of a talent to complete
the directions they are given. Alas, despite excuse, it doesn’t win friends or
influence people. (It would greatly enhance your career to
purchase and reread this book frequently.)
In order to “win friends and influence people” in
the manner that will make them want to work with you many times over again,
let’s discuss some positive tactics to help you better follow directions.
Identifying and then following through are the two steps to completing your
task.
Directions can be verbal or written, and in our
industry, even mimed (as when a director gives the actor a line reading or a
photographer physically creates a stance to help the model). Most of your
communication with your agent will be some form of direction, too. CDs
have told me that they have clearly listed what the want the talent to slate on
camera and the talent repeatedly are unable to complete the task. It
sounds absurd, but we’ve all fallen prey to this shortcoming at some point due
to nerves, inexperience, or simply because we weren’t listening. You can
practice these skills like any other – follow the direction you are given on a
daily basis. The more accurate you are (this will improve as you learn to
listen more closely) in following the directions in your daily life, the easier
it will be when you’re under pressure on set or in the casting room.
This is great advice. I enjoy your blog very much.
Posted by: Barbara Mathieson | 06/26/2010 at 09:08 AM