How to Direct Established Actors

You're an independent film director and have just secured financing for your next movie. In order to take it to the next level, most of that money is going to be paid to an established actor. His reputation will make the film a success, but how exactly do you work with him?

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. First and foremost, understand that if he is an established actor, worth this money, he knows how to act and how everything on a set works. This is not like directing your friend.

2. Meet with him well in advance of filming to discuss the role, how he sees it, how you see it and how the scope of the film will change due to his performance.

3. Though it may sound odd, give him preferential treatment. If he is used to pampering on big-time sets, hearing "no" from an independent nobody like yourself is not a good thing.

4. Before telling him how to do something differently, ask why he did what he did.

5. Instead of telling him outright that he needs to do something in order to appease the movie in your head, understand that he is trained and it might disrupt his entire thought process.

6. Involve him in some directorial decisions. If he agreed to be in your film, he has a reputation to uphold and so he will have the best possible picture in his head as well.