Louder, Softer, Slower, Faster
Anybody know who originated that idea of how to direct actors? (ie, simply saying that stuff, not much more.) Current leads: Gene Hackman, Jeff Corey, Robert Benton.
Louder, Softer, Slower, Faster
Anybody know who originated that idea of how to direct actors? (ie, simply saying that stuff, not much more.) Current leads: Gene Hackman, Jeff Corey, Robert Benton.
Hello Amy,
according to this source it was Gene.
Have a nice weekend!
Rainer
Excerpt follows:
Another of Kotcheff's favourite actors is Gene Hackman. They collaborated on Uncommon Valor (1983), about a Marine colonel who assembles a renegade platoon to return to Vietnam and rescue his son. In the intervening years, the two have become good friends, sharing among other things a passion for fine wine, but at the time they first worked together Kotcheff knew only that he had hired the ultimate pro. "Hackman spends an enormous amount of time preparing, so when he arrives on the set, it's not acting, it's being. When we first met, he said, 'OK, Kotcheff, I only want three directions from you.' I said, 'Oh yes, and what are those?' He said, 'Louder/softer. Faster/slower. More or less.' I said, 'OK.' The fact of the matter is, he's so deeply prepared, he is the character. That's why he's so compelling on-screen."
Rainer at December 16, 2005 4:33 AM
Thanks, I appreciate your effort, but according to that source Gene said it, yes, but there's no assurance he originated it. I believe it came from a director. I learned it at some point from somebody talking about directing actors. It might have even been from reading a book about Elinora Duse. Can't remember, though.
Amy Alkon at December 16, 2005 7:05 AM
Oh, now I (think I) see what you mean. If you have it from a book about Signora Duse, we are probably talking about the era of silent movies, when it was standard practice to direct actors this way. There was a big difference, though: The direction ("slower/faster") was given while the camera was rolling, which became pretty much impossible to do with the arrival of microphones on movie sets. You should find reference on this directing technique pretty much all over the place in books on silent movies, but it might prove hard to find the inventor, as this technique might have emerged simultaneously on movie sets around the world.
Two sources on this directing style from the top of my head: I think I read it in the German translation of "Fun in a Chinese laundry" (Josef von Sternberg's memoirs) and in a book by William Goldman from the mid-80s. I could look up the title if you're interested.
What Gene Hackman and others can do is slightly different (and harder) as they play a full scene with the ("slower/faster") direction given in advance, which they wouldn't have had to in a silent movie.
Hope that helps with your next article, research, personal curiosity or whatever ;-)
Cheers
Rainer
P.S.: I really liked your blog item on Albert Ellis at this conference in Anaheim. Glad to see he isn't discouraged from the events at the "so-called Albert Ellis Institute".
Rainer at December 17, 2005 8:35 AM
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