Quentin Tarantino's Best Advice for Directing Actors...

"Don't be intimidated by your actors. Don't be scared. You're there to find it together. But I actually think one of the best things that a film director today can do for an actor is not be stuck in Video Village, not be watching it on a monitor, and not be watching it on a TV set sitting in your chair, oftentimes in a whole other room. But then where the scene's taking place. I mean, that's a fairly new phenomenon, and it's completely taken over. And I mean, so much so that I really wouldn't want to be starting all over again as an actor with the directors watching my work from another room. 'Hey, do this.' 'You know what camera look?' 'Could you tell him to don't do a camera right?' 'Right.' I think you should be sitting right by the camera. If you watch the acting right next to the cam, right in front of the actors, it's as if they are acting just and solely and utterly only for you." - Quentin Tarantino.

[allanalogmusicatrpm]

Good advice from Tarantino, with no unnecessary doucery! Nice.

[PhantomFilmAustralia]

Tarantino's advice comes directly from Harvey Keitel during the preproduction of Reservoir Dogs. Best advice Tarantino had ever gotten from an actor.

[finnredmond]

His ability to explain his point of view so clearly is why he's one of the best director ever

[googleuser]

This was the advice given to Quentin when he was shooting "Reservoir Dogs". He's repeating the same advice.

[xDaimao]

Tarantino's passion in the film industry and its actors is what makes me love him.

[twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

The best part of this video is like six master directors hanging on every word that he says because they all know he can teach them something about actors.

[westendlawn]

The man has only made 9 film's so far and is one of the most beloved film maker's to work for. I've seen so many actors praise working for Quenten, simply because he's right beside the cameras.

[bah]

This! But also don't be afraid to redirect, as apparent from Jamie Foxx's story (from Howard Stern) of his first day on the set for Django: Unchained, in which he interpreted himself as a badass from the get-go and was sternly reminded by Tarantino that the character of Django is "a fucking slave [...that] *becomes* the hero."

[Uglysub]

How Don't love this man? I love him.

[ABP_]

This reminds me of Gary Oldman talking about what a good direction note should be. I think Tarantino and him would have made such a great combo in a movie

[JDotWill]

I’ve only ever worked on one set & it was for a very small indie, so I had no idea directors on bigger films weren’t right there behind the camera the whole time. That’s how it’s depicted in every show or movie that depicts filmmaking. & I always assumed that was an accurate representation.

[Yamas]

Wow that’s just such a great way to be collaborative, and to even give yourself (writer/director) a different take or perspective on a scene /character . Especially if your were torn on a couple ideals

[GeoIz]

I think I like him even more now just for the fact of letting the actor's try to do their own thing. So Much respect he has for the filmmaking process is awesome. So Much respect for him.

[willcorker]

There's behind the scenes of the dance scene from pulp fiction. He's literally dancing along with John and Uma. It's pretty awesome to see.

[randomguyz]

ur tone of voice, gestures, choice of words, and personality must allow the actor to feel free

[wattsnottaken]

I respect people who do something only because they love it. Quentin is one of those shining examples

[DavidLEzell]

So true about keeping one’s mouth closed at table read (and maybe a few more after that). Let your actors find their way then start giving notes. 👍🏻

[dustinswarb]

As an aspiring writer and director myself, this is great advice.

[Djm]

Having watched the entire 86 original Talking Sopranos podcasts and the edited HBO, now MAX, versions, one thing is crystal clear: Actors hate it when the Director, or fellow actors for that matter, give them a line reading. Because they cannot get it out of their heads. It’s like un-ringing a bell.

[owlontheprowl]

The Man has spoken. It would be wise to listen