Chapter 19

1. Chapter 19 Stumble-throughs, Work-throughs, and Run-throughs

2. What is directing? It is the specific information communicated to the actors about their acting choices, or in the case of novice actors, helping them with those choices.

3. The process of directing Research Casting Table Work Blocking Work-throughs Run-throughs

4. It is a composite of thousands of details With enough experience, directors come to understand that the secret to success is in the details, and that the real work of the director is clarifying the minutia. details – DETAILS – dEtAilS - details – DETAILS - dEtAilS details – DETAILS – dEtAilS - details – DETAILS – dEtAilS details – DETAILS – dEtAilS - details – DETAILS - dEtAilS details – DETAILS – dEtAilS - details – DETAILS – dEtAilS details – DETAILS – dEtAilS - details – DETAILS - dEtAilS details – DETAILS – dEtAilS - details – DETAILS – dEtAilS details – DETAILS – dEtAilS - details – DETAILS - dEtAilS details – DETAILS – dEtAilS - details – DETAILS - dEtAilS

5. Allow time in rehearsal to review the work you have completed

6. DIRECT THE DETAILS!

7. A sample rehearsal schedule (p. 204)

8. Work-throughs • Correct blocking problems • Address and deepen relationship issues • Listening • Deepening sense of honesty and truth • Enhance comic elements • Make adjustments • Build stamina • Get a sense of the big picture

9. How to work through a scene • Beat by beat • Takes time and patience • When a moment doesn’t work… • Determine what is wrong • Adjust blocking if needed • Try other choices or improvise • If an actor problem, talk to the actor and give adjustments • This is really the nuts and bolts of the process

10. Plan for working through a scene • Run the scene and make notes • Write it down, don’t trust your memory • Go back to the beginning and start again • Stop at the point where a fix is needed • Identify the problem to the actors • Communicate what you want to fix • If blocking, fix and then runthrough • Allow the actors a chance to make the adjustment • If it doesn’t work, try something else • Use exercises or improvisations to solve problems • Once achieved, run the scene again

11. Taking notes • GENERAL NOTES include • approach to role • major adjustments • overall objectives • Energy, ensemble • Walking, dialect, speech • SPECIFIC NOTES include • A single line or moment • Pace, volume, action • Depth of feeling • Be as specific as needed • OTHER notes • Notes to self • Work notes • Tech notes

12. Giving notes

13. Go through each note in order • Be as specific and clear as possible • Make sure the notes are understood • Encourage questions • Let them know which notes you intend to work and when • Make time to work the notes you mark • Fix something before running it again

14. Designer runs or crew watches • Let actors know when these rehearsals are scheduled • Don’t be discouraged by the lack of response from designer’s…they are not watching as an audience • It is helpful at crew watch for the designer to sit near the lighting and sound designers to point out specifice effects, timings, etc. • After the rehearsal, meet with the designer to address their concerns and questions • If you have made changes to the groundplan, make sure those are clearly communicated in plenty of time…

15. Rehearsal order checklist TABLE READINGS

16. Initial blocking

17. Run and work through scene by scene

18. Stumble-throughs First – scene by scene Then – act by act Finally – the whole show

19. work-through the show

20. run-through the show

21. Designer and crew watch