Method of Direction in _His New Job_

Something I noticed while watching the film this time was that the director uses the same 'demonstrative' method in instructing his actors that Chaplin often used, along with verbal instructions.

I'm wondering if this method was all that unusual. If you watch _Twentieth Century_, you will see the tyrannical director (John Barrymore) acting out the parts for his actors and actresses.

I wonder if this method was used to train Chaplin for his childhood roles, since it would be an effective way to coach child actors, drawing on their natural facility in imitation. And perhaps Karno used it as well.

Connie K.

I think it was quite common. I just finished reading a book on L&H which stated that mode of directing was extremely common on the Roach lot in the silent days.

Of course, nowadays that style of directing is considered very bad form. I've heard stories of experienced actors being infuriated by young directors 'showing' them how to play the parts.

I recently worked with a young director who played out a make-up scene with a young actress to show the male actor how he wanted it done. Somehow, I think the director got more out of the demonstration than the other actor!

I'm curious about that too.

Sean http://member.aol.com/SeMurph/index.html

'I & I, in creation where one's nature neither honors nor forgives. I & I, one said to the other, no man sees my face and lives.' B.Dylan

Names, please.

CC41689 (who always wants details...)

'Who do you think you are

I meant 'MAKE OUT' not 'MAKE UP.'

Sean http://member.aol.com/SeMurph/index.html

'I & I, in creation where one's nature neither honors nor forgives. I & I, one said to the other, no man sees my face and lives.' B.Dylan

All unknowns, sadly. I'm a name dropper. Believe me, I would have mentioned them if my association with them would make me look more important. (Unless mentioning their names would compromise my ability to work with them again in the future!) Sean http://member.aol.com/SeMurph/index.html

'I & I, in creation where one's nature neither honors nor forgives. I & I, one said to the other, no man sees my face and lives.' B.Dylan