WOCF Members: How To Effectively Direct Actors with Jemal McNeil

As a director, it is important that you not only  communicate your vision for your film to your crew but also to the  actors who are portraying the characters in your story. You have to be  open to their ideas and input, you have to know how to provide  constructive feedback and direction that ensures the actors can give  their best performance.

Many directors have different approaches when it comes  to working with actors. When you are finding your way as a director it  can be difficult to settle on your personal approach. You may wonder why  an actor killed it in an audition but now that you have hired them  their performance feels flat. Maybe, your lead actor seems frustrated  and you are not sure how to connect with them.

We are going to talk with celebrity acting coach Jemal  McNeil to discuss how to overcome these obstacles and set clear  expectations for yourself and your actors. We will also discuss the  audition process, maintaining professionalism on set, and speaking the  actor’s language. This is an introduction to the Directing Actors Intensive Jemal and Landi will be teaching in person on December 2nd & 3rd in Los Angeles.

Jemal is a Hollywood A-list acting coach. Through his  method of Artist/Civilian, he creates a Sanctuary for actors to express  themselves freely, apply and understand techniques, explore their craft,  and take pride in calling themselves artists. Jemal trained at Howard  University, The Shakespeare Theatre at the Folger, The Kennedy Center,  and also with Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis Workshop, Mike Malone, Vera J  Katz, and Ron Allen. His coaching resume includes Octavia Spencer (The  Help, Snowpiercer, and Hidden Figures) and Taraji P. Henson (Benjamin  Button, Hustle & Flow, Hidden Figures, and Empire.) Janelle Monae  (Hidden Figures), and A$AP Rocky (Dope) to name a few.