Has Anyone Here Ever Tried Directing Themselves?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 6:10pm

I tried it back in May with this play I wrote in which I played an insane commercial airline pilot stricken with a food addiction. I was just wondering if anyone else here has tried this and would like to compare strategies?

My own was that I left really everything open. I know I'm not perfect and if there was a line or a scene that could be altered, I encouraged my cast to let me know. I think this is what GREATLY improved the show. The cast I had was extremely talented and I was extremely lucky to work with them. In a way, we all kind of directed it, creating this show out of nothing.
Updated On: 2/9/07 at 06:10 PM

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 6:24pm

I've done it. You just have to do your homeowrk for both jobs. You have to be an example for the rest of the cast, or they will not respect you in either role.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 6:27pm

I go to a performing arts school, and often times for finals, we have to self-direct our scenes or monologues. With little or no help, but I've never gotten the chance to direct a full production. Though I've always wanted to...

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 6:28pm

I;ve done it quite a few times.

The only problem is that I try to cast myself only in a role that i cant cast otherwise or a smaller role because I like to watch.

Only once I cast myself in a large role and I had a hard time watching, so we got a cover and he stood in most of the time, I gave him a performance too.

[luvliza89]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 6:31pm

Good example:
Barbra Streisand, Yentl.

Bed example:
Barbra Streisand, The Prince of Tides.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 6:43pm

w00t! Four posts in and no one noticed the typo!

[myManCape]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 6:46pm

English Lesson:

"Has Anyone Here Ever Tried Directed Themselves?" is not correct English.

Try:
Has Anyone Here Ever Tried to Direct Themselves?
Has Anyone Here Ever Tried Directing Themselves?

[theactorsociety]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 1:30am

I've directed Aladdin and have either asst. directed or choreographed Annie, Seussical, Scrooge, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, Wizard of Oz, and am starting soon on The Music Man. I love it but I miss being on stage.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 1:32am

If you are going to direct yourself in a full length production (especially a musical) you better make sure you have a good assistant director...

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 1:33am

I have.

It is an interesting process and it has it's positives and negatives.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 11:02am

I directed Little Shop of Horrors a few years ago, and was playing Mushnik.
And the year after that I direct H2$... and played Finch.

The first show was relativly easy to direct and be in, the second show on the other hand was one of the biggest challenges of my life. Luckilly I had the best Asst Director ever and I had a very patient cast.

That said, I prefer directing shows that I am NOT in, or acting in shows that I am NOT directing.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 11:29am

I was given the *lovely* task of choreographing the middle school musical "Oliver!" The director, though, was also multi-tasking and directing the High School play "The Children's Hour" so he wasn rarely (if ever) at rehearsals. So I ended up directing about 90% of the show. I have a new foud respect for any director of "Annie", "Oliver", "Runaways" and "The Me Nobody Knows".

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 5:15pm

i direct myself in my shows, although the approach i use mainly is to have my understudies on stage so that i have to actually say aloud what i'm supposed to be doing in the scene.