Getting a good performance from an actor is one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of making a film. When you’re just starting out, the idea of directing actors for beginners can feel overwhelming. You’ve got your shots planned, your lights are set, and suddenly you need to tell someone how to feel. It’s a lot, but it doesn’t have to be a mystery. As someone who has made plenty of mistakes on my first few shorts, I can tell you that a few practical approaches will get you much further than you think.

Build Trust Before Day One

Your relationship with an actor starts long before they step onto your set. For first-time filmmakers, this pre-production phase is crucial. When you’re casting, talk to them. Get to know them. Understand what motivates them and what makes them tick. A good working relationship is built on trust, and that starts with open communication.

When Jack Lemmon came to mind, I thought about his career. The guy brought so much personality to every role, across decades. He made it look effortless, but that kind of consistent, nuanced performance comes from a director who understands how to get the most out of their talent. He also worked with some of the best directors, who knew how to foster that trust.

Before your shoot, make sure your actors have the script and character breakdowns well in advance. Encourage them to ask questions. If they have ideas for their character’s backstory or specific line delivery, listen. You don’t have to agree with everything, but hearing them out shows respect and builds rapport. This initial investment in communication pays off huge dividends when you’re under pressure on set.

Practical Tip: Schedule a dedicated rehearsal (even a virtual one) where you only talk about character and motivation, not blocking. Let the actors read through scenes and ask questions. It’s a low-stakes environment to build that connection.

Speak Their Language: Actionable Directives

The biggest mistake I made when I was first directing actors for beginners was telling them what to feel. “Be sadder.” “Act more angry.” This is useless advice. Actors are trained to do, not just be. Instead of emotional states, give them actions.

Think about the character Frank in Once Upon a Time in the West. He’s cold, menacing, and utterly terrifying. Sergio Leone didn’t tell Henry Fonda to “be more evil.” He likely gave him specific actions: “Stare him down like he’s already dead,” or “Take your time with that line, let it hang in the air.” The action creates the feeling.

Here are some examples of actionable directives:

  • Instead of: “You’re sad here.” Try: “You’ve just heard news that shatters your world. You need to hide it from your partner.”
  • Instead of: “Be more confident.” Try: “You’re trying to convince this person to trust you with their life savings. Every word needs to be a promise.”
  • Instead of: “Act surprised.” Try: “You thought you knew everything, but this reveal completely changes your understanding of the situation. Your goal is to process it without letting on that you were wrong.”

These directives give the actor a specific goal within the scene, which they can then translate into a performance. This isn’t just for beginners; even seasoned actors appreciate clear, actionable notes.

Keep It Concise and Specific

Film sets are busy. Time is money. When you’re giving notes, get straight to the point. You might have a hundred ideas in your head about a scene, but your actor needs one or two clear things to focus on for the next take.

Think about the razor-sharp comedy of Veep. Those performances are incredibly precise, often built on quick-fire dialogue and reaction. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and her cast hit their marks with comedic timing that feels natural but is meticulously crafted. You can bet Armando Iannucci’s notes were specific and targeted, not rambling monologues.

After a take, give your notes quickly. For instance:

  • “That was great, but on this line, try holding the gaze a little longer before you break eye contact.”
  • “Let’s try that again. Your intention to leave the room felt a little weak. Give us more urgency.”
  • “Good energy. This time, can you try to suppress that urge to smile until the very last word?”

If you’re unsure if your shot is exposed correctly or if your focus is sharp while you’re focused on directing, a tool like FrameCoach can give you real-time visual feedback right on your phone. This way, you don’t have to divide your attention between technical checks and performance notes during a critical moment. You can trust your exposure is dialed in, and you can concentrate on your actors.

Adapt Your Style

Not every actor works the same way. Some respond well to deep character discussions, others prefer more technical blocking notes. Part of directing actors for beginners is learning to read your cast and adapt.

Michael Byrne, for instance, often steals scenes with understated, powerful supporting performances. He’s an actor who likely thrives on understanding his character’s internal life and motivations. Other actors might be more physical and respond better to notes about their movement or posture.

During rehearsals and early takes, pay attention to how your actors process feedback. Do they ask clarifying questions about emotion, or about their physical space? Do they seem to respond better to an example, or to an open-ended suggestion?

If an actor is struggling, don’t just repeat the same note louder. Try a different approach. Ask them:

  • “What do you think your character wants in this moment?”
  • “What’s preventing them from getting it?”
  • “Who are they trying to impress, or hide from?”
  • “If you were to play this moment with a different emotion, what would it be?” (This can sometimes shake them out of a rut.)

Remember, you’re a coach, not a dictator. Your job is to help them find the performance.

Trust Your Gut and the Take

You’ll inevitably encounter a scene that just isn’t working. As Wade Patterson mentioned when discussing fixing bad scenes, sometimes you need to re-evaluate things. Is it the script? Is it the blocking? Or is it the performance?

Sometimes, you need to trust your first instinct on a performance. If a take feels right in the moment, even if it wasn’t exactly what you planned, don’t overthink it. Often, the unexpected moments are the most genuine. Shoot a few more takes to be safe, but remember the one that felt alive.

When you’re editing, you’ll be glad you have options. That’s why shooting multiple takes is important. On an independent film with limited time, you might feel pressured to move on. But if the performance isn’t there, you’re just wasting time on the next setup. Take the extra five minutes to get it right. Your future editor (which might be you) will thank you.

Before you call “cut,” take a moment to look at your actor’s face. Did they connect? Did they embody the moment? And visually, is everything in frame perfect? If you’re using FrameCoach with your DSLR or cinema camera, you can quickly review your exposure, focus peaking, and even monitor your composition on your phone’s larger screen, giving you that extra confidence before moving on. It helps bridge the gap between directing and cinematography in real-time.

The Next Step: Practical Application

Now that you have these tips for directing actors for beginners, the best thing you can do is put them into practice. Don’t wait for your dream feature. Grab a friend, write a 2-page scene, and shoot it on your phone. Focus solely on getting a good performance. Experiment with giving actionable directives. See how different approaches work with different people. The more you practice this skill, the more natural and confident you’ll become.