Five Tips for Becoming a Successful Voice-Over Actor

Five Tips for Becoming a Successful Voice-Over Actor

Are you interested in doing voice-over work? Voice-over actors work on cartoons, television and radio commercials and more. If you want to get into this career, it can be valuable to get advice from professionals in the field. Consider these five tips from casting directors so you can get a leg up on your voice-over career!

Nurture Your Acting Skills

Voice-over work requires you to convey as much feeling as an actor would in a television show or movie. Studying acting means learning how to find the motivation behind a character’s actions and delivering a convincing portrayal of a character. A voice-over actor uses these same skills. Voice-over actors are just as physical as stage or film actors as they move around and gesture while portraying a character. Voice-over actors must put even more emotion into their performance because they’re behind-the-scenes.

Don’t Try to Imitate Others

Maybe you give a great imitation of a voice-over actor working on television today. Imitating the actor is good for practice, but it’s best to carve out your own niche in voice-over acting. Come up with your own voices and characters so you aren’t just an imitation of what is already being done. After all, you’re trying to blaze your own trail as a voice-over actor.

Learn How to Evaluate A Script

Evaluating a voice-over script is an important part of the work of this type of actor. Evaluate the script by determining what kind of character you are playing. How can you bring vitality and life to the character? What tone of voice would suit that character? Reading through the dialogue and getting a feel for the character is going to prove useful for your audition. Casting directors can tell which voice-over actors do their homework and which fly by the seat of their pants for an audition.

Practice Your Skills With Commercials

Practicing your voice-over skills is easily done by listening to and imitating commercials on radio and television. Pay attention to the tone of the voice-over actor, the pauses and the inflections in the person’s voice. Knowing when to pause or how to adjust your tone are two invaluable skills that can be learned by paying close attention to successful voice-over actors.

Arrive Early to an Audition

Whether you’re a stage actor, a movie actor or a voice-over actor, it’s always a good idea to arrive early to an audition. This gives you time to examine the script and your part in it. You can use the time to evaluate what your part is and come up with some strategies for voices. Also, utilize the time to warm-up your vocal cords and relax before your time to audition arrives.

Conclusion

These are just five tips to keep in mind as you go on auditions. Even if you don’t get a part after auditioning, you can still count it as valuable experience to incorporate on your next audition.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director who’s responsible for relaunching Laugh-O-Gram studios.

10 Famous Movie Lines That Were Improvised

10 Famous Movie Lines That Were Improvised

Movies are planned years in advance with the majority of films not even beginning to production without a highly polished script. However, many of the most iconic moments in movie history were the result of an actor improvising their lines after gaining the trust of their director.

1. Taxi Driver

Perhaps the most famous lines in movie history, “You talkin’ to me” has been imitated and reworked on numerous occasions. Robert De Niro was given a simple stage direction of his character, Travis Bickle talking into a mirror which morphed into a classic scene.

2. Titanic

1997 blockbuster, Titanic cemented Leonardo DiCaprio as a leading man with his much-loved, “I’m the king of the world” line becoming iconic. DiCaprio shouted the line when first arriving on the recreation of the ship and was liked so much, director James Cameron found a place for it in the script.

3. Casablanca

Throughout the movie, Humphrey Bogart’s character, Rick refers to Ingrid Bergman as “kid.” The line, “Here’s looking at you, kid” was initially said by Bogart when he and Bergman played poker offscreen. Bogart liked the line so much he brought it to the 1942 classic.

4. The Empire Strikes Back

Still recognized as the classic of the series, “Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back” is known for the moment Princess Leia tells Han Solo she loves him. Harrison Ford was supposed to reply, “I love you too” but felt it was out of character for Solo. Instead, he simply said, “I know” and went down in movie history.

5. This is Spinal Tap

Christopher Guest is known for creating improvised comedies with a loose script, but his most famous must be, “This is Spinal Tap.” The movie includes the classic line, “It’s a fine line between stupid and clever” which has become as iconic as any in film history.

6. The Silence of the Lambs

Sir Anthony Hopkins deservedly won an Oscar and hit the Hollywood A-list for his turn as Hannibal the Cannibal opposite Jodie Foster. A dedicated stage actor prior to his Hollywood breakthrough, Hopkins wanted to keep Foster unsettled between takes and began to use the hiss which became iconic as part of the “… with a nice chianti” line.

7. His Girl Friday

Cary Grant stars in this 1940 fast-talking screwball comedy alongside Katherine Hepburn. Grant ad-libbed the line, “The last man to say that to me was Archie Leach.” The irony being, Grant’s real name was Archibald Leach.

8. Shaun of the Dead

Now seen as a genre-bending classic, “Shaun of the Dead” comes from the minds of Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, and director Edgar Wright. Many lines were improvised during the filming of this first part of the Cornetto trilogy, including “and he invented the mobile disco” when describing the clientele of The Winchester pub.

9. Being John Malcovich

Starring John Cusack and Cameron Diaz, this cult favorite includes the line, “Hey Malkovich, think fast.” The actor is hit in the head by a beer can as the line is shouted from a moving car, the car was simply supposed to drive past Malkovich without incident.

10. The Warriors

Another cult favorite, “The Warriors” includes many iconic lines, none more so than “Warriors, come out to play.” Actor David Patrick Kelly improvised the line after feeling merely clinking together bottles would not provoke the gang into a fight.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

The 10 Best Movies about Ghosts Ever Made

The Best Top 10 Ghost Movies Ever

The truth is there are a variety of spooky ghost movies out there for everyone, from the darkest evil ghosts to the most comical ghosts. Whatever type movie you tend to like, you will enjoy the same bag of buttered popcorn.

10. The Ring

The Ring is a very good ghost movie about the unfortunate death of a girl who is linked to the mysterious tapes and the deaths of everyone who watches them. Definitely a good thriller that makes you jump.

9. Mama

Following 5 years after the death of their parents, too little girls are lost, living in an abandoned cabin in the woods. Found by their Uncle and his girlfriend, they were given a normal home to live in. However, the girls did not leave the woods alone.

8. Ghostbusters

One of the most fun ghost movies ever made. Four scientists lose their day jobs and decide to fight the supernatural as a business. This movie will have you laughing and jumping from ghosts at the same time.

7. Poltergeist

In this paranormal thriller, ghosts begin communicating with a young girl through the living room television. After befriending her, the ghosts become mean and demanding, forcing the parents to seek help from an exorcist and parapsychologist.

6. Candyman

A graduate student researches an urban legend that some people believe led to a murder of someone in the community. Helen soon finds this legend of a tortured slave may be following her.

5. The Others

During World War II, a mom and her two children move into a large home while the husband is missing after leaving to fight the war. With all curtains drawn and doors remaining shut throughout the house, they try living normally. Strange things begin happening in the house, which the mom never seems to get complete control over.

4. Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice is about a married couple and their daughter who move into a house after the previous owners were killed in a car accident. They are stuck haunting their own home, but discover they need the help of Beetlejuice to scare the family out.

3. The Sixth Sense

A boy, Cole Sear, is seeing a psychologist who wants Cole to open up. The ghostly twist in this movie will have you out of your seat. Watch what happens when the boy decides to trust the psychologist. Very cleverly written.

2. The Amityville Horror

Based on a book of true events, this movie follows a family who thought they found the perfect home in Amityville, NY. They were not aware of the previous tenant killing his own family in the same house. The couple hired a priest to get rid of the dark demons in the home.

1. The Conjuring

The Conjuring is based on real life facts about top Demonologists who were called in to help a family fight off the evil that made itself known in their farmhouse. Unbeknownst to them, the farmhouse had its own dark history yet to be discovered.

Logan Sekulow is a producer and director who’s known for relaunching Laugh-O-Gram studios.

The 5 Best Black and White Horror Movies of All Time

The 5 Best Black and White Horror Movies of All Time

When it comes to all-time great movies in the horror movie, there are plenty of classics. However, many modern day horror fans tend to focus on the films full of colorful images of blood, gore, and terror. Surprisingly, there are more than a handful of black and white horror movies worth watching, more than a few times. Here are five of the all-time best in the category.

Nosferatu

Travel back to 1922 when horror got a serious kickstart from Nosferatu, a movie which first arrived in Germany. It’s one of the earliest films to really help tell the horrifying tale of Count Dracula (changed to Count Orlok), based on the famous Bram Stoker horror novel. The film also came under controversy as Stoker’s heirs sued and the court ruled that all copies must be destroyed. However, just like the Dracula tale, copies have survived for horror fans to check out in the modern day.

Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Yet another 1920’s classic, this isn’t just in black and white, but also completely silent. This early horror film is about a hypnotist who takes control of a sleepwalker. While that sounds like a fun concept, the hypotist also hasan evil nature to him. Rather than using the hypnotic power for party games, he uses his subject to kill off people. Horror fans and film enthusiasts alike will find plenty to appreciate when viewing this classic.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Jack Finney’s “The Body Snatchers” provided source material for this film about alien invaders who take over human bodies as their hosts. The 1950s movie also had a smart political undercurrent as it was during the time of McCarthyism, where everyone was suspicious of those around them. This gripping terror worked very well as early black and white sci-fi/horror and even saw a 1978 remake done in color which is also stellar.

Psycho

Any all-time great list of horror movies should include this 1960s classic from director Alfred Hitchcock. It tells the story of Norman Bates and his psychotic tendencies based on a strange relationship with his mother. Despite being a black and white film, viewers felt the terror of many moments in the film. The film helped Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh became household names, with Perkins appearing in three sequels for this box office hit. The screaming shower murder scene is also considered iconic in horror to this day.

Night of the Living Dead

The zombie genre has come a long way, but this classic helped launch the concept. This was the debut film from director George A. Romero and it certainly delivered back in 1968. It features the tale of seven people who become trapped in a farmhouse as zombies descend upon the area looking for consumable flesh. The film spawned plenty of sequels, spinoffs, and reboots, and cost just $114,000 to film near Pittsburgh. Compared to today’s high-cost CGI-driven horror, this one still stands the test of time.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

7 Must Read Books For All Actors

7 Must Read Books For All Actors

Becoming a successful actor requires total commitment to your craft. There’s no such thing as a day off when you’re memorizing scripts, scouring the web for auditions and rehearsing lines on a loop.

When it’s time to sit back and unwind, you can still learn a thing or two about how to improve your acting, land better gigs and find the type of roles you long to perform.

These seven books are essential reading material for the aspiring and professional actor alike.

1. “Audition” By Michael Shurtleff

Written by the director of legendary shows like “Chicago” and “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Audition” offers actors detailed advice on how to develop their own unique acting style and tailor their performances to specific roles and auditions.

Although the book was written in 1987 and is dated in some aspects, it still offers plenty of sound suggestions worth learning today.

2. “The Actor and the Target” By Declan Donnellan

Actors like Alan Rickman and Peter Brook praised Donnellan’s work, which provides a guide to acting from a director’s perspective. Directing, like acting, is subjective, but you can gain a lot of valuable insight by learning about acting from the other side of the camera.

3. “True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor” By David Mamet

Mamet is an award-winning director who has earned a Pulitzer Prize and Tony nominations for his plays like “Glengarry Glen Ross” and “Speed-the-Plow”. In his book, Mamet gives aspiring actors tips on how to approach agents, evaluate a role and work one-on-one with a playwright to bring out the best performance possible.

4. “Respect for Acting” By Uta Hagen

The Hagen acting method encourages actors to “become” their character. Uta Hagen also came up with the idea of “substitution” in acting, in which actors replace fictional events in a character’s life with real events from their own to draw out more authentic emotion.

“Respect for Acting” outlines Hagen’s teachings in her own words and is still widely endorsed over 40 years after its publication.

5. “In-Depth Acting” By Dee Cannon

Acclaimed acting coach Dee Cannon’s book is a practical guide to Stanislavski’s system. The Stanislavski method of acting helps actors develop their characters in stages. There are seven questions an actor should ask themselves when constructing their character’s persona:

Who am I?
Where am I?
When is it?
What do I want?
Why do I want it?
How will I get it?
What do I need to overcome?

6. “An Actor Prepares” By Constantin Stanislavski

While Cannon’s book offers an explanation of the Stanislavski method from a contemporary coach’s perspective, “An Actor Prepares” is written by Stanislavski himself. The book examines the internal evaluation and preparation the author believes an actor should undergo in preparation of any role.

“An Actor Prepares” is Stanislavski’s first book and one of the most famous acting books in print.

7. “Actions: The Actor’s Thesaurus” By Marina Caldarone

Scripts can be daunting for many actors. The lines aren’t just words on a page but your character’s voice. All of their actions are embedded in their speech, so as an actor, learning how to evaluate dialogue, draw actions from a script and implement them into your performance is crucial to success.

Caldarone’s book offers lists of verbs and their synonyms that actors can use when making notes on their scripts.

Improve Your Acting By Reading

Books can make you a better actor. Everyone learns differently, and sometimes, taking our eyes off the screen and shifting them onto the page can put things into a better perspective and help us grow.

What are some of your favorite acting books?

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

The Top 5 Directors To Take Over James Bond Movies

The Top 5 Directors To Take Over James Bond Movies

The James Bond film franchise has been going strong for fifty-six years now, starting with 1962’s Dr. No. Since then, many different directors have been at the helm of these iconic films, all bringing a unique style with them. With news of director Danny Boyle’s exit from BOND 25, who should take over next? Here’s the top five picks:

Kathryn Bigelow

The James Bond franchise mixes action, wry humor, and drama together efficiently. That’s the same way Kathryn Bigelow directs her films. Her major hits such as Point Break, The Hurt Locker and the recent smash Detroit all prove her amazing ability as a director and establish her major credentials. All of her films have artistic style and flair that would fit perfectly among the James Bond franchise, making her an ideal candidate for BOND 25.

James Wan

James Wan has dabbled in many different genres and has successfully established three franchises – Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring – as well as directing entries in other franchises – Furious 7, Aquaman. Obviously, Wan is no stranger to taking part in a large franchise, making him a top pick for the director of BOND 25. His name is always proposed by the Hollywood studios when they need a director to join a franchise, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he joined the crew of the next James Bond film.

Susanne Bier

Most of Susanne Bier’s films are in her native Danish tongue, but they’re still critically acclaimed and show fantastic direction and storytelling. Her English-language miniseries The Night Manager was considered one of the best series of 2016 and earned her a more well-known presence in the Western hemisphere. Her style of direction fits perfectly with the Bond films of the past decade and she would be a welcome addition to the franchise.

Ryan Coogler

Ryan Coogler has proved himself to be one of the best directors currently working in Hollywood. He only has three films under his belt – Fruitvale Station in 2013, Creed in 2015, and Black Panther in 2018 – but all three have been major successes, both critically and commercially. Furthermore, he joined already established franchises and was able to direct entries into both that didn’t feel out of place at all – entries that joined the list of films most acclaimed from each franchise. That alone should make Coogler a contender for the next James Bond director, as his BOND 25 would fit in perfectly with the other 24 James Bond films.

Fernando Meirelles

Fernando Meirelles directs mostly in Spanish, but his films have been received warmly by English critics. Both his Spanish and English films mix character-driven drama with realistic world views and breathtaking visual spectaculars. All three of these qualities have been seen in the James Bond films of the 21st century. This makes Meirelles a perfect fit for BOND 25 and for the James Bond franchise.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

The 10 Best Mark Wahlberg Movies of All Time

The 10 Best Mark Wahlberg Movies of All Time

Love him or hate him, Mark Wahlberg has been a fixture in American cinema for a few decades now. The former rapper and reformed bad boy has shown that he boasts the rare ability to pick winning scrips. Here are some of his most well-known films.

The Lovely Bones

In this moving piece, Wahlberg plays a father who is haunted when the worst possible fate befalls his daughter. Throwing away his tough guy image, his dramatic chops are on display in this touching film. Directed by Peter Jackson, it also boasts incredible visual effects.

The Departed

With an all-star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson and Matt Damon, this movie seemed destined to dazzle audiences. Helmed by Martin Scorsese, this thriller cleaned up at award shows.

FEAR

Wahlberg’s starring turn as a psychotically obsessed boyfriend convinced audiences to take him seriously as an actor. Alongside major movie star Reese Witherspoon, he showed that he could carry a movie.

Planet of The Apes

Although audiences tend to be critical of reboots, they couldn’t get enough of this marvelous movie. Wahlberg’s turn as Leo Davidson was both campy, believable and fun.

The Perfect Storm

Playing a fisherman from the wrong side of the tracks in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Wahlberg’s gritty performance perfected complemented George Clooney’s more eloquent captain.

Date Night

Playing up his Calvin Klein model persona, Wahlberg’s performance as Tina Fey’s attractive ex was pitch perfect.

Ted

This was somewhat of a surprise hit. Co-starring Mila Kunis and one very outspoken teddy bear, the film reminded executives that Wahlberg was capable of carrying a comedy.

Invincible

Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles loved this film, which starred Wahlberg as the indomitable Vince Papale, a walk-on who carried the spirit of Eagles fans long before they claimed victory in the Super Bowl. Because of his role in this movie, Wahlberg admitted feeling conflicted about his allegiances during the 2018 Super Bowl.

The Fighter

In this film, Wahlberg once again showed his affinity for starring in sports movies. Playing the brother of Christian Bale, he proved his mettle once again.

Boogie Nights

For some, Boogie Nights is the ultimate Mark Wahlberg film. In his starring role as rookie porn star Dirk Diggler, Wahlberg served up both laughs and drama. Director Paul Thomas Anderson, meanwhile, proved that he was a heavy hitter in Hollywood.

Logan Sekulow is a producer and director who’s known for relaunching Laugh-O-Gram studios.

5 Tips For Parents Helping Their Child Pursue An Acting Career

5 Tips For Parents Helping Their Child Pursue An Acting Career

Being the parent of a child attempting to pursue a career in acting can be stressful and fraught with worry. The business can be cutthroat, and as a parent you want the best for your child at all times. Parents of child actors are often times juggling many different responsibilities and once, trying to stay on top of work, family and the child’s progress as an actor.

It can easily become overwhelming or discouraging. However, the following five tips can help take some of the stress out of parenting a child actor and lead to a healthier, happier and more successful family.

Protect Your Child

Take steps to make sure your child is always in a safe situation and that your family isn’t exposed to risk.

Some safety tips include never posting your home address when responding to any online casting boards, making sure that any acting-related professionals interacting with your child have a Child Performer Services Permit, and remaining within constant sight and/or sound of your child while you’re on a set.

Never Get Too Wrapped Up In Events Beyond Your Control

The acting world is tough, and there’s much you wish you could control but won’t be able to. Any given audition or role may or may not go your way. Learn to move on to the next one regardless of your conviction that your child might have been perfect. Luck plays a big part in the world of acting, and there’s nothing you can do about that.

Monitor The Rest of Your Family

It can be easy to focus primarily on your child pursuing the acting career, but don’t forget the rest of your family. If you have a significant other, check in with them at regular intervals to make sure that they’re feeling good with your decisions regarding your child’s acting career.

Also, make an extra special effort to connect with any other siblings. It can be easy for them to have feelings of inadequacy or neglect when comparing themselves to their child actor sibling.

Keep A Grip On Your Finances

Far too often, parents of child actors invest too much of their money into pursuing the dream, leading to major financial problems and strain in the family. Right at the onset, set realistic limits for spending on pursuing your child’s acting career, and never break those limits.

Support Your Child Emotionally

The process of auditioning for and either getting or not getting a part can be a strongly emotional experience, and this can especially affect a child. During good times and bad, make an effort to be a rock for your child to lean on.

When your child fails to receive a part, channel any feelings of personal unhappiness or anger and give your child needed perspective. And the same goes for when your child does get a part – keep an even keel to teach your child that true happiness exists outside of the validation coming from outside sources.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

7 of The Best Movies Ever Filmed In Pittsburgh

7 of The Best Movies Ever Filmed In Pittsburgh

Dozens of movies have been filmed in or around Pittsburgh over the decades. While some were awful, others earned Academy Awards. The coolest movies, however, were those that both earned critical or popular acclaim and showcased various features or attractions within Pittsburgh. Consider the following seven examples:

Flashdance (1983)

“Flashdance” was an admittedly silly romantic comedy about a beautiful young woman who worked in a steel mill during the day and danced at a bar at night while hoping to somehow earn a slot in a dance conservatory. In addition to being set in Pittsburgh, the movie also featured Vic Vianca, a Pittsburgh traffic cop known for his flamboyant ways of directing traffic.

Night of The Living Dead (1968)

Considered one of the greatest horror movies ever made, George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” introduced people to the fast-moving and predatory zombies that later inspired shows like “The Walking Dead.” It also features shots of the Evans City Cemetery in Butler County that are among the most telegenic ever.

Dawn of The Dead (1978)

Made a decade after “Night,” most of this sequel was shot at the Monroeville Mall. Romero killed two birds with one stone by making a zombie movie that also satirized mindless consumerism.

Adventureland (2009)

“Adventureland” is a romantic comedy set in 1987 that stars Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart. Eisenberg plays a recent college grad with big plans that get derailed by money troubles. He thus has to take a job at the titular Adventureland, which is really Kennywood, an amusement park just eight miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Kennywood, which opened in 1898, boasts rides that date as far back as 1920 along with more modern attractions.

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

In contrast to the first two movies in “The Dark Knight Trilogy,” which were shot mainly in England, parts of “The Dark Knight Rises” were set in Pittsburgh,including the sequence where the evil Bane sets off a series of bombs that destroy parts of the city, including Gotham Stadium, which is really Heinz Field. Hines Ward, who had played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in real life, had a cameo as a football player outrunning the explosions. Pittsburgh residents can also spot various streets, plus the Carnegie Mellon University Software Science Institute and the Carnegie Institute, which are both in Oakland.

Silence of The Lambs (1991)

“Silence of the Lambs” bagged several Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress and is one of the few horror films to earn such accolades. It also features such Pittsburgh landmarks as the county jail, the Allegheny Courthouse, Oakland’s Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Mall, and Canonsburg’s Western Center. The last has since been demolished.

Striking Distance (1993)

The action thriller “Striking Distance” was set entirely in Pittsburgh; in fact, an early title for the film was “Three Rivers,” which referred to the fact that Pittsburgh sits at the junction of the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers. Bruce Willis and Sarah Jessica Parker play a pair of cops pursuing a serial killer. The film features such Pittsburgh landmarks as Mt. Washington, Monongahela, and Point State Park.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

5 Directing Tips for Actors

5 Directing Tips for Actors

Though they love performing, plenty of actors dream about getting a chance to call the shots. The idea of directing appeals to actors who want to use their talents to guide and inspire either. Having the motivation to direct isn’t enough, however. You need to understand what it takes to be a quality director. Here are five directing tips for actors.

Learn To Lead

On a set, directors can be considered leaders. While collaboration is a must for a production to run smoothly, there needs to be proper delegation. As a director, you need to know how to guide your team. Make a clear outline of things like the schedule and other requirements for the production. Explain to your cast and crew the importance of each element. There will be more confidence in the production if you show you can be a valuable captain.

Be Polite

Directors need to display authority, but they also need to demonstrate humility. Nobody is a fan of the director who is constantly barking orders, and doing so will only spoil your relationships. You should be firm but also respectful. If someone does something well, they should be complimented. If they’re doing something poorly, they should be corrected but not reprimanded. You want your set to be an environment in which people feel encouraged, not discouraged.

Be Clear About Your Goals

Your cast can have trouble if you aren’t being specific. As an actor, you’ve been guided by the strength of your director. Now, it’s your turn to do the same. Let your cast know exactly what you want from them. Don’t close yourself off to suggestions from them, but do give them something to work with early on. The best directors are ones who understand the importance of a vision.

Communicate With Your Cast

If a cast member is having trouble with a certain part or scene, learn to better understand their frustration. Sit down with each of them and discuss what kinds of issues they’ve been having. You’ll hopefully better understand through these one-on-one chats. This is your opportunity to be a mentor for your cast. They’ll realize how much potential is inside them, and you’ll realize how much you have to offer as a teacher.

Observe Other Directors

Observation is at the heart of learning any skill. You might like to think of yourself as a complete self-starter. However, we all need a bit of help to become great. Before you start directing, watch others direct. Notice how they command a set and gain respect through their professionalism. Do your best to emulate this.

By taking these directing tips to heart, you can make the experience so much better for your cast and crew. It can take some time to get used to, but just like with acting, you’ll improve with practice. Have faith in your abilities and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You have too much creativity to let any of it go to waste.

Logan Sekulow is a producer and director who’s known for relaunching Laugh-O-Gram studios.