Exclusive Video Library of  Directing Tips

What you can learn from it. ⭐️ Watch my beat-by-beat breakdown of their WHOLE conversation on Instagram FIRST. ⭐️

And the TWO ISSUES to look for if they're not "getting it." P.S.: If you know ahead of time that you’re going to want overlapping dialogue in the scene, do your best to tell your actors beforehand. Give them time to rehearse it that way, AND… perhaps most importantly… understand WHY you want the dialogue to overlap. Give your actor the emotional information (relationship dynamic, facts, and wants in this scene) and the pace will probably naturally pick up. P.P.S: Always ask yourself "Is this a pacing issue? Or is it an emotional issue?" If the emotional truth isn't there, all the pacing in the world won't help the scene feel right. On the flip side, if you get those emotions / relationship dynamics right, then either the pacing of the lines will follow naturally OR it won't matter because the scene will feel more emotionally true.

About the rare and beautiful times when your actors are having a MOMENT (they are really connected, the energy is palpable, and you know you've got magic here if you can just capture it...), and you want to keep that energy going into the next take. This note is best used at the end of a take to keep your actors connected until the next take. You're not butting into a perfectly good scene to give this note.

For more see my IG series on crying scenes. It's important to develop trust and a good rapport with your actor before you give notes like this. I'm assuming you've either rehearsed or worked on this project for a little while with this actor. You've gotten to know them well enough that they've told you about some of their personal life and emotional sources. Use your best judgement when venturing into this vulnerable emotional territory. And when in doubt, ask your actor questions rather than making assumptions.