There are two main points that discussed by Mamet in the chapter about directing a film. The first one is about directing the actors to do some the act and also the dialogue. The second point is about directing the camera. In addition, this journal will also discuss the approach in directing used by Mamet and another method commonly used by many directors for a comparison.
First of all, in directing the actors, Mamet uses a very simple approach. He just wants the actor do the act as the director’s command. The actor does not have to know the motivation, the feeling and the emotion. The actor jus simply follows the director’s order. That’s why the director does not have to try to bring the mood of the actor into the some particular situation and condition that support the act. On the other hand, there is another method that tries to bring the actor into the character situation and emotion. The director also has to push the actor to know the background, the reasons and the situation behind the story. For example: For the film set in 1980’s, the director will ask the actor to imagine his/her situation if the actor lives in that particular era.
In giving the instruction to the actor, Mamet uses the verb and emphasises to the adverb. For example: In walking scene, the director can instruct the actor to walk fairly slowly. The way the actor walking has to be instructed clearly. Mamet also prefers to use visual to tell the story instead of uses a narrative method. He thinks that the less the director narrates, the more audience is going to enjoy the picture and the acting.
Another method can be used by other directors is by using a verb word instead of using an adjective word. For instance: instead of saying, “Try to look sad”, the director can say, “Try to cry”. The second instruction is clearer than the first one.
In giving the instruction to the actor, Mamet uses the verb and emphasises to the adverb. For example: In walking scene, the director can instruct the actor to walk fairly slowly. The way the actor walking has to be instructed clearly. Mamet also prefers to use visual to tell the story instead of uses a narrative method. He thinks that the less the director narrates, the more audience is going to enjoy the picture and the acting.
Another method can be used by other directors is by using a verb word instead of using an adjective word. For instance: instead of saying, “Try to look sad”, the director can say, “Try to cry”. The second instruction is clearer than the first one.
Secondly, in directing the camera, Mamet uses his subconsciousness. When he is asked where the camera will be put in. Mamet does not like the idea of steady cam which tends to follows the actor wherever s/he goes. He depends to the shot list. For example: in scene that illustrate the actor entering the room though a closed door, the camera first can get the wide angle form the back of the actor, then the close up to the hand opening the door knob and the next shot will be the angle form another side of the door or inside the room s/he is going into. It will have more dynamic effect to the picture when putting together in the editing process.
In conclusion, the two main points in directing by Mamet are how to direct the actor and how to arrange the camera position. Directing the actor has to be simple and clear. In arranging the camera position, it is important to use the shot list that contain some different dynamic angles in one scene and also try to avoid the idea of steady cam. I agree with Mamet in directing the camera but in directing the actors I prefer to use the other method.
