Directing Performance

     I noticed that I have been speaking about many things that will help me in making my brief great, but I had forgotten the most important aspect: directing. Emotional impact is a key factor in melodramas, and this relies heavily on the actor and their subtle expressions and body language. To achieve this, it is my role as a director to direct my actor in evoking those emotions.

    David Lynch's Mulholland Drive was a standout for me due to Lynch's superb direction of his actors. The acting is restrained as well as carefully blocked and includes framing that creates psychological intensity. Lynch's direction allows emotion to surface through tight spaces rather than characters explicitly stating their feelings. By doing this, a more immersive and interpretive viewing experience is formed.

 

    This is particularly relevant to my brief, as I want my audience to gain an understanding of emotion rather than being told explicitly how they should feel. As a director, I must focus on giving my actors clear but minimal performance guidance so nothing feels forced. I am also currently considering how the utilization of blocking can communicate internal tension without relying on dialogue that much.