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Course Objective

To increase the Directors confidence and understanding when working with Actors.

Course Cost

¥5,000

Course Description

Actors are the focus of the audiences attention in fiction film and yet so often directors are more concerned with the technical aspects of the production than the performances of their players.

Many directors come to filmmaking through technical backgrounds, or as screenwriters. Because of this they may have little knowledge of working with actors to develop and improve their work. Often they feel a barrier between themselves and the talent and even a little fear in trying to communicate with them.

This single evening aims to start to break down that barrier. To give an understanding of what actors require from their directors and to begin to learn how to develop character and bring out performance.

Areas covered in the course include:

• Screen versus Stage
• Developing Character and Performance
• Directing for the Frame
• Action and Reaction
• Vocal Levels
• Auditions and Rehearsals

Class Schedule

October 24 (Thurs), 19:00-21:30

About the Instructor – Rory O’ Donnell

ELFS Japan founder Rory O’Donnell began his career in the entertainment industry following two years of acting training at London’s ‘Poor School’. From there is acting career covered all sizes of theatre stage from intimate ‘pub theatres’ to the West End stage directed by triple Oscar nominee Stephen Daldry. With stage work interspersed with occasional film and TV roles, it was in short film that Rory decided to make his directing debut.

Rory’s shorts have played in festivals across Europe and North America, in which he has directed such actors as Julian Glover (James Bond, Indiana Jones), Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who, The Hobbit) and Caroline Munro (Hammer Horror, James Bond), amongst many established and new talent. Since coming to Japan Rory has continued to direct short films, in Japanese, with actors who have worked with directors such as Sion Sono and Takashi Miike.

Before setting up ELFS Japan Rory ran the training for Raindance in London for ten years, while also working as a casting director for independent films. He has taught acting, casting and directing, and his ‘Making the Short Film’ week-long course is the centrepiece of ELFS Japan’s workshops.