This week's topic: Working with Actors
"May I...
Get to know my fellow actors better? There is nothing wrong with wanting to become more familiar with the people you work with. However, everyone is different. If people say no, give off vibes they're not interested, or don't include you, it can feel personal. I can't tell you they're thinking or if it has anything to do with you.
What I can tell you is understand that even though we work with our co-workers aka fellow Actors in an intimate setting doesn't mean we will become best buddies with them outside of the workspace.
Yes, you may see some actors get close or come into the space with established friendships. I'd recommend that you let others get to know you and see how things may possibly develop from there.
Remember once we're out of the container or the production real life returns.
Improvise or touch my fellow actors while in character? I'm in the moment of the scene. I'd recommend not doing so without discussing boundaries and the other actors practice.
Everyone is different in how they approach the work. Ask, never assume. Be clear and specific about what you're thinking so they can make an informed decision for themselves. If they say no to your request(s), please respect that.
If you're on the opposite end of this - realize you can say yes, no, or no but and make a suggestion as well if you'd like.
There's no perfect solution, but this may help with better communication and collaboration.
Give you another Actor acting note? For the love of William Shakespeare PLEASE DON'T! Actors I'm sure mean well, but if you absolutely insist, please consider doing it one of these ways.
Let them know something they did really worked well for you. Give them an example so they know and can try to recreate it if possible.
Let them know if something wasn't working for you and why. Don't tell them what to do unless they ask directly.
Tell an Actor what their next line is or what their blocking is? Do you want to be smacked by the stage manager? That's exactly is going to happen is you do that.
I know you want to help, but unless you are told directly, please leave it to the director and/or the stage manager. Same goes for film - leave it to the director and/or the first assistant director.
I know it may seem there are some no's in this one, but these are things I see many well meaning actors do. This job is tricky. We are thrown in a position to become familiar with strangers, but told there are invisible boundaries that some folks get rather testy about.
If you accidentally step over one, just apologize, move on, and take note to try not to do it again. It's when folks continually cross known boundaries they get into trouble.