What drew me to filmmaking as an art form was the characters. Growing up, I was a lonely and weird kid who didn’t quite understand why people acted the way they did. It often felt like no one else saw the world the way I did, so I found refuge in books and, eventually, in movies. The first people I ever felt deeply connected to were characters in films—they made me feel understood, a little less alone. Even though I wasn’t interested in acting myself, I was fascinated by the process. I attended acting workshops, read books about acting, and began to understand the mindset and techniques of different performers. Over time, I built a toolkit of ways to collaborate with actors, and it’s this actor-focused approach that has become central to my work as a director.
In my opinion, characters are at the heart of all good storytelling. It’s one thing to craft a plot, but what keeps audiences engaged is their emotional connection to the people at the center of the story. While many directors focus heavily on the technical aspects of filmmaking, my passion has always been working closely with actors to create performances that feel spontaneous, fresh, and deeply grounded in the characters they portray.
In order to communicate well with actors, it’s a good idea to understand how actors think about their craft. A low barrier way to do this is by reading books like Directing Actors by Judith Weston (a great starting place), or Stanislavski’s An Actor Prepares, or Sandford Meisner on Acting. When you learn about different techniques or philosophies of acting there will be some that you connect with more and you will likely enjoy working with actors who have similar sensibilities. However, you won’t always get to work with actors who think just like you, and the knowledge of other ways of working will allow you to adapt your approach depending on the actor’s style and the needs of the scene, which is invaluable in fostering strong, authentic performances.
Working with actors isn’t about controlling them but guiding them to discover the truth of the character in their own way. By being open to their process and adjusting my approach to fit their style, I can help them feel more connected to the role and the overall story. For the most part, I believe less is more. You want to see what the actor has prepared. If you’ve cast well (90% of the job) there will be small tweaks and adjustments. The last thing you want to do as a director is give a ton of information about disparate parts of a scene to an actor whose performance is working well for the most part. It creates confusion, puts the actor in their own head and not in the scene. But what about if the actors don’t see the scene the same way you do?
This depends on your relationship with the actors and the type of project you’re working on. Here is an example from a feature film I wrote and directed. We were working on a scene between a father and daughter who through the story don’t seem to have a close relationship, they also don’t have many scenes of just the two characters together. In this situation, both actors initially interpreted the scene as adversarial and cold, which was different from the tone I had envisioned. We paused and talked about the characters’ relationship. While we all understood the characters similarly, the actors were focusing on different elements than I was.
I guided them to explore the underlying emotional connection between the two—how they were once very close when the daughter was younger but had drifted apart during her teenage years. Both characters were longing to reconnect but were afraid of rejection. This shift in focus completely transformed the scene. Instead of playing it as a confrontation, the actors brought a beautiful vulnerability that made the moment feel layered, nuanced, and ultimately more emotionally resonant.
In order to have these types of conversations you need to have a relationship with your actors, a way to connect as human beings beyond just work. Building trust with actors begins long before stepping on set. If possible, I try to spend time with actors before the shoot—whether that’s in rehearsals, over coffee, or during informal conversations on the phone or over zoom. This time is essential, not just to discuss the characters but to get to know each other as people. When there’s a personal connection, there’s a level of trust that allows for a deeper, more collaborative relationship.
On set, I always strive to create a safe space where actors feel comfortable taking risks. This is especially important in emotionally charged scenes. If they trust me, they can explore their characters with confidence, knowing I’ll support them through the process.
I firmly believe that the best performances come from giving actors creative freedom. That’s why I never give notes before the first take. I like to see what the actors bring to the scene and adjust from there. More often than not, they’re already in the zone, and all I need to do is offer small tweaks or reminders. If their performance isn’t aligned with my vision, I get curious and ask questions. I want to understand how they’re approaching the scene and what’s driving their choices.
It’s a fine balance—letting the actors make their own discoveries while guiding them toward the overall vision. By maintaining this balance, I ensure that the performances feel natural and spontaneous while staying true to the story I want to tell.
Even in films with complex plots, the characters are what the audience connects with. Take an action movie, for example. The car chases and explosions are thrilling, but without characters the audience cares about, the excitement fades. It’s the people in those cars, narrowly escaping death, that make the action worth watching. Character-driven storytelling elevates the stakes, makes the story more relatable, and leaves a lasting impact on the audience.
When you focus on the emotional core of a character, you create stories that resonate deeply. Characters allow audiences to see themselves in the narrative, to feel connected to the journey, and to care about the outcome.
Finally, practice is key. If possible, find opportunities to work with actors in a low-pressure setting. These kinds of opportunities are invaluable for honing your craft.