book

The Director's Toolkit

Name: The Director's Toolkit
Author: Robin Schraft
ISBN: 9781351380515

by Robin Schraft

January 2018

Beginner

386 pages

11h 34m

English

Routledge

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Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction: What Is a Director?
BackgroundThe Director in the Production ProcessThe Function of the DirectorApproachesDirector vs. Acting CoachQualities of a Good DirectorThe Production ProcessA Final ThoughtFurther Exploration

Part I: The Script
Chapter 1: Script Selection
Script Selection ProcessSources for Play ScriptsUnderstanding and Obtaining Performance RightsRelationship with the PlaywrightContractual and Ethical ObligationsPreparing a Production BookPlay Selection ChecklistFurther Exploration
Chapter 2: Understanding the Play: Script Analysis
Understanding the PlayDetermining and Understanding the Spine of the PlayIdentifying the Dramatic Structure of the PlayDividing the Script into Working UnitsAnalyzing the PlayDetermining the Style of the PlayScript Analysis FormatOutline of Script Analysis FormatFurther Exploration
Chapter 3: Research Leading to a Concept
Analysis to ResearchProduction ResearchPeriod ResearchBackground ResearchCharacter ResearchPlaywright ResearchStyle ResearchFinal Thoughts on ResearchIntrinsic and Extrinsic Interpretations of the PlayHistorical and Social Implications in Interpretation of the PlayDeveloping a Production Concept for the PlayResearch Leading to a Concept ChecklistFurther Exploration
Chapter 4: Style
What Is Style?The Origin of Theatrical StylesModern Theatrical StylesDetermining the Style of the PlayStyle vs. ModeDetermining the Mode for the ProductionFurther Exploration
Part II: Production Staff
Chapter 5: Working with the Production Staff
The Role of the DesignersThe Director’s Relationship with the DesignersContributions of the DesignersCollaborationDirecting the Design AreasProduction MeetingsA Final ThoughtFurther Exploration
Chapter 6: Working with the Stage Manager
The Stage Manager’s Role in the ProductionThe Stage Manager’s FunctionsThe Care and Feeding of Your Stage ManagerWhat the Stage Manager Is NotFurther Exploration
Part III: Auditions and Casting
Chapter 7: Auditions
Purpose of AuditionsTypes of AuditionsProcedures for AuditionsPlanning for the AuditionThe Use of Callback AuditionsHow to Improve the Quality of the AuditionsMethods for Keeping Notes on the ActorsDirector’s DecorumAudition ChecklistSample Audition ProceduresSample Audition FormSample Audition WorksheetFurther Exploration
Chapter 8: Casting
The Importance of Casting DecisionsCriteria for Cast SelectionThe Process of Making Casting DecisionsNontraditional CastingUnderstudiesChanging Your MindCasting with Other DirectorsCasting WorksheetFurther Exploration
Chapter 9: Scheduling for the Production
PlanningThe Production CalendarThe Rehearsal Calendar – Preplanning vs. Daily SchedulesPlanning the Amount of Time NeededPhasesEstablishing Goals for Each RehearsalPresenting the Production and Rehearsal SchedulesFinal ThoughtsScheduling ChecklistFurther Exploration
Part IV: Floor Plans, Stage Pictures, and Blocking
Chapter 10: Developing the Floor Plan
The Director’s Relationship to the Floor PlanUnderstanding Theatre Architecture and Its Implications for the ProductionWorking with the Scenic Designer on Developing the Floor PlanTypes of Floor Plans (Patterns of Scenery)Meeting the Needs of the ScriptUsing the Floor Plan to Focus the Audience’s AttentionMark Antony’s Funeral SpeechCreating Visual Interest Using the Scenic AxisBalanceSuggestions for Improving the Floor PlanUsing Key Scenes to Develop or Evaluate the Floor PlanDrawing the Floor PlanFloor Plan Development ChecklistFurther Exploration
Chapter 11: Creating Stage Pictures
What Is a Stage Picture?The Process of Developing Stage PicturesDeveloping a Stage Picture for IleSummaryFinal ThoughtsStage Picture ChecklistFurther Exploration
Chapter 12: Blocking
Preplanned vs. Organic BlockingPurpose for BlockingPrinciples of BlockingUsing Blocking More EffectivelyKeeping the Blocking MotivatedBlocking Pitfalls to AvoidUsing PropsPlanning, Recording, and Communicating the BlockingBlocking ChecklistFurther Exploration
Part V: The Rehearsal Process
Chapter 13: Working with the Actors
Developing a Relationship with Your ActorsTypes and Functions of CharactersUnderstanding the Actor’s ProcessCommunicating with Your ActorsWorking with ActorismsFurther Exploration
Chapter 14: Rehearsal Techniques
Planning for the RehearsalsOrganization of the RehearsalsKeeping Rehearsals on TaskGiving the Actors NotesKeeping Muscle Memory in MindRehearsing Scenes Involving ViolenceActing Exercises to Address Particular NeedsRehearsal Organization ChecklistFurther Exploration
Chapter 15: Rehearsal Challenges
Challenges vs. ProblemsSituationsSummaryProblem Solving ChecklistFurther Exploration
Chapter 16: Tempo, Rhythm, and Pace
The Director’s Relationship to Tempo, Rhythm, and PaceTempoRhythmPaceUniting Tempo and Rhythm to Create Pace in the ProductionTechnical Implications on PaceTools and Considerations for Building the Tempo, Rhythm, and Pace of the ProductionPace and EnergyTempo, Rhythm, and Pace ExercisesFinal ThoughtsFurther Exploration
Chapter 17: Polishing the Play
The Function of the Polishing RehearsalsPolishing the ActingImplementing the Technical Aspects into the ProductionTechnical Rehearsals without the Actors (Dry Techs)Technical Rehearsals with the Actors (Actor Techs)Dress RehearsalsStaging and Rehearsing the Curtain CallFinal ThoughtsFurther Exploration
Chapter 18: Evaluating the Production
Why Conduct an Evaluation?Evaluating the ProductionExternal Sources of EvaluationCombining All Sources of EvaluationProduction EvaluationFurther Exploration
PART VI: Topics
Chapter 19: Directing Nonrealistic Styles (Styling the Production)
Identifying the StyleConventions of StylesDirecting a Presentational or Nonrealistic StyleDetermining the Mode for Nonrealistic StylesMatching Your Directing Style to the Style of the PlayExamples of Working in Styles Other Than Pure RealismGreek TheatreShakespeareComedyFurther Exploration
Chapter 20: Directing Musicals
Understanding the Difference Between Musicals and Straight PlaysAdditional Collaboration in MusicalsWorking with the Music and Choreography in Developing the CharactersAdditional Considerations in Rehearsals for MusicalsA Word About Working with Musicians and ChoreographersFurther Exploration
Chapter 21: Directing in Alternative Settings
Recognizing How Directing in Alternative Settings Differs from ProsceniumGeneral Guidelines for Directing in Alternative SettingsDirecting in an Arena ConfigurationDirecting in a Thrust ConfigurationDirecting in Other ConfigurationsTouringFurther Exploration
Chapter 22: Directing in an Educational Environment
The Director as TeacherUnderstanding the Goals of Educational TheatreUnderstanding the Role of the Educational DirectorThe Relationship of the Director with the Cast and StaffWorking in the School EnvironmentFurther Exploration
The Next Step
Appendix A: Sources for Play Scripts
Appendix B: Plays, Films, and TV Shows Referenced
Index

Content preview from The Director's Toolkit

Preface

Numerous texts on directing exist, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, so why another one? Over the years I have been unable to find a text for my directing classes that follows my comprehensive agenda. What I was looking for was a book that addressed the full range of the director’s functions, including working with the production staff, the rehearsal process, and the actors in the order of the production process. This book’s content is based on my more than 40 years of experience as a director and designer in both commercial and academic theatre. It reflects my philosophy that a director should be conversant with all aspects of theatre and the director must be able to synthesize the work of all members of the production ...

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The Director's Toolkit

by Robin Schraft

Preface

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.