Film Loop: Directing actors with Paul Sng
Written by GMAC Film intern, Miriam Mathie
On a chilly Glasgow Thursday, many gathered at the Tron Theatre for an evening of insight from Film Loop’s special guest, Director Paul Sng!
As someone who didn’t formally study film, Paul was the perfect person to chat with our community. He started his journey after encountering a band who were highlighting marginalised voices and challenging the status quo; translating this from song to screen was what kick-started it all for Paul.
“What I wanted to transfer over was the sense of realness” – Paul
In partnership with our very own Gary Hewitt and actors, Sierra Orella and Diane Brooks, Paul began explaining his process of directing actors from rehearsals to shoots, breaking it down and allowing space for questions. He demonstrated this by using scenes from his short film, Aska, which participants got to watch after the workshop.
Guiding his actors through the scene over and over, he allowed the participants to see his process and how to give appropriate direction:
“In those first couple of lines try and avoid eye contact to mirror the awkwardness that would come from their strained relationship.”
“Use that line there, Diane, to retreat to your chair, spiteful and resentful.”
Between takes, Paul explained to the participants his thought process, allowing them to pose questions or actions they would have taken if they had been in his shoes, before setting up the scene as it would have been shot.
“When doing a shot list, there are three things we have in our minds. First, what do we see? Then, what do we hear? And finally, what do we want our audience to feel?”
By breaking down his shot list for the scene, participants were able to see where the crew would be placed and what the final shot would be, getting a front row seat for watching the changes made by the actors as a result of Paul’s direction.
“Remember, creativity can flourish in small boxes, when you really have to push it to its limits.” – Paul’s response to a question about the limitations of smaller locations.
To round off the evening, participants got comfy and watched Paul’s film, Aska before expressing their thoughts.
“Truly, if your audience are wanting to see more of the story, I do think you have done a good job. That’s how I wanted them to feel, while telling an important story.”
We want to extend a huge thank you to Paul, our delivery partners at Short Circuit and the Tron Theatre for an incredibly insightful evening. Well worth the trip on a chilly Glasgow evening!
If you’d like to get involved with Film Loop, you can find details here. Film Loop takes place on the last Thursday of every month, 6pm – 8pm.
