Tag: Diana Black on writing for actors

Writing for Actors – 2
by Diana Black

An actor, who shall remain nameless, used to get mighty shitty when more attention was paid to the co-star by the fandom. Well, we can’t all be ethereal and have pointed ears. So the gloves would come off on set with the star demanding greater screen time and if it wasn’t given from the Directorial pulpit, it would be taken anyway with slightly longer pauses mid-dialogue and/or a strong choice in terms of action.

Such tactics have limited currency – actors are there to serve the story and the Director’s bidding; supposedly. A fine line must be tread when pulling that trick if you don’t wish to be remembered as, shall we say, unprofessional. It is really up to the Director to determine how much an egotistical ‘eyes on me’ type, can get away with; if he or she has ‘the balls’. read article

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you’re a new writer trying to break into the biz, more than likely you’re doing all you can to write in a way that’ll impress the gatekeepers, AKA agents, producers, and executives. But you also need to write in a way that works for those actually working on the production. Foremost among them are actors because hey, let’s face it, we really don’t have a show or film without ’em. Actors are the reason audiences tune in – or out – and, ultimately, if the actors don’t like the writing, well, the writer’s in deep you-know-what.

Because of the above, TVWriter™ is proud to present the first in what we hope will be a long series of articles about how to write the way actors need things written. How to give them something to do and somebody to be. Your guide in this series will be Australian actress and writer Diana Black. Take it away, Diana!

Writing for Actors – 1
by Diana Black

‘Still waters run deep…’ read article