Directing, 4th Edition

C H A P T E R 2 4

INITIAL MEETINGS WITH THE CAST

Plays grow out of rigorous rehearsal, but fiction films are usually denied it. Producers argue that rehearsal may damage spontaneity, and that rehearsing is a waste of money because actors can learn their lines just before shooting. Screen actors as accomplished as Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Gary Sinise disagree. They prefer to study and rehearse intensively, and it’s no accident that directors famed for building ensemble acting—such as Ingmar Bergman, Robert Altman, and Mike Leigh—have commanded great loyalty and exceptional results from their casts.

If top professionals prefer rehearsal, those using a cast of mixed experience need it even more. Film equipment is not, as many beginners ...