Today was our first (and only) rehearsal before shooting. We got the script into good shape but didn’t fine tune the beats; I find it’s best to save that for when we’re on set, especially since we have half a day to shoot a 2-page scene.
So how do I prep and run a rehearsal? I’ll answer the second part first.
In this instance I knew I’d first want to read the script and fix any dialog that sounds good in my head but doesn’t work when spoken. After a second table read, I like to get a scene up on its feet and start physicalizing. I’ll run through a scene once, starting and stopping at each beat so the actors and I can discuss motivations, actions and physicalization. We’ll then go over that beat again to see if our choices work dramatically. Once we feel that we understand a particular beat, we move on to the next one.
I think it took us over an hour before we got to the end of the scene. We then ran the whole scene from start to finish to see if the collection of beats added up to a unified dramatic whole. It didn’t; it never does. So then we repeat this process to refine our understanding of the work. The second time took less than 40 minutes.
As for prep, it’s best if I point you towards some very good books.
All three are great but I must mention that Delia was my directing instructor and I once saw her make Alexander Payne sweat for misquoting her so she holds a special place in my heart.
Tags: Directing, Directing The Scene
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