Notes on Directing

by Frank Hauser, Russell Reich

In 1987, British Director Frank Hauser quietly handed twelve pages of typewritten notes to his apprentice, American Russell Reich. The notes gathered over a long career and polished to a sharp edge documented the teachings and directions that Hauser shared privately with a host of theatrical and cinematic figures, including Sir Alec Guinness, Richard Burton, Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench, Kevin Spacey, and many others who called Hauser their director, mentor, teacher, or boss.

Now, the former student has expanded and enhanced his mentor's private notes into a book-length format suitable for anyone searching for the timeless gems of the director s craft. Drawing on years of training, decades of experience, and the distilled wisdom of leading practitioners, Notes on Directing is filled with enduring good advice expressed in assertive, no-nonsense language. More than a how-to, this is a tool for directors looking to better translate the page to the stage or to the screen. With one hundred and thirty directives supported with explanatory commentary, helpful examples, and rare quotes, this deceptively slim volume has the impact of a privileged apprenticeship to a great master.

Whether you are a student or a professional, a playgoer, moviegoer, or enthusiast, Notes on Directing provides a thrilling glimpse into the hidden process of creating a live, shared experience.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction, Film, Writing, Plays, School, Art

126 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

FRANK HAUSER is a retired freelance director living in London. Born
in Wales in 1922, he attended Oxford University during the 1940s; worked as a
drama producer for the BBC; and, in 1956, formed the Meadow Players at Oxford.
He was Director of the Oxford Playhouse for seventeen years and directed
frequently in London and New York. In 1968, he received the award of Commander
of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.).

Reviews

[Ali Mousavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

اتفاقی توی کتابفروشی این رو دیدم. حجم کم و دیدن اسم آقای احیا به عنوان مترجم باعث شد بخرمش، برای من که فقط تماشاگر نمایش‌ها بودم و دوست داشتم از دید یک کارگردان به آثار و پروسه تولید نگاه کنم اطلاعات جالبی داشت.

[صان · Rating 3 out of 5]

نکات خوبی داشت، و از همه بهتر به شکل خیلی خوبی سرجمع و مرتب شده بودن. نمی‌شه گفت چیزهای عجیب‌غریبی داشت -اصلا می‌شه همچین انتظاری از یک کتاب داشت؟!- اما چیزهای خوبی داشت و خوندنش هم سریع و بدون حرف‌های طولانی و اضافه بود و هر کسی که کارگردانی می‌کنه می‌تونه سریع بخونش و چیزهایی یاد بگیره.

من خودم چیزهایی برام پررنگ شد و یاد گرفتم.

[David Wagstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Directing is far trickier than being president of the United States. Diplomacy and nuance are required in copious amounts. The temptation to talk too much is taller than the Tower of Babel. The responsibility is absolute. There are few books of any help. David Mamet's On Directing Film and Three Uses of the Knife are essential for the simple reason that they deal with practical considerations clearly stated. Notes on Directing is the same. In fact, it is a sort of Strunk and White of how to do this job without making huge blunders. Now there are thousands of books on theater that demonstrate nothing more than the clever minds of their authors. Directors should avoid them just as auto mechanics should avoid books on astrophysics for any reason other than curiosity -it won't help you when you open the hood. And when the director opens the hood, all of humanity is humming away there waiting for his tune up, overhaul, and best effort. Hauser and his protege stick to the basics: how to prepare, how to communicate with actors, and how to execute in rehearsal without screwing it up. If you direct or ever wish to direct, read this book. If you are an actor it might not be a good idea, for you shall know how the job should be done and thereby open yourself up to numerous disappointments when faced with the butchery directors may administer at will.

[Eva B.]

Very informative! I'll buy a copy if I ever direct a show. Unfortunately, this was all for plays as opposed to musicals, something I was not aware of going into it. I've love to read a similar book that adds in some tips for musical-related elements.
Also, this is the book that includes the "Shakespeare rehearsals where 'fuck' is added" tip and it's worth the read just for that. All the world's a fucking stage.

[Pardis Jalali · Rating 4 out of 5]

بسیار مفید و کارا!

[Arsalan Shahbaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

کتاب همان تصور ابتدایی است که از یک کتاب ۱۰۴ صفحه ای و نکته وار در مورد کارگردانی تئاتر می توان داشت، نه بیش از آن و نه کمتر.
اگر آگاهی مختصری از مبحث کارگردانی در تئاتر داشته باشید این کتاب شاید چیز خاصی به شما اضافه نکند اما تاکید بر روی برخی دانسته ها یا از زاویه ای دیگر دیدنشان بدون شک مفید خواهد بود.

[Megan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, y'all. SUPER GOOD. Concise advice, tips, thoughts. Also, a really long list of further reading recommendations at the end, that I'm really excited about.
One section that talks about using the f-word as a rehearsal technique for understanding meaning/emphasis. I wouldn't use that technique, obviously, but like if you're not against foul language I'm sure it helps. But anyway, fair warning on the language.
Seriously, though. This is really good. Will be keeping it handy. If you read it, keep a pencil or highlighter on you, you'll want to make notes.

[Xanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

A really lovely little book full of guidelines. The notes are very short but very to the point. It's more of a book to have in your library and look inside every now and then than it is an extensive guide on how to go about directing, but defenitely worth reading.

For people who already know a lot about this some of it may be a little obvious, but in my experience it's precisely the obvious, little things that you can never be reminded of too often.

[Richard008 · Rating 3 out of 5]

طبیعی است که از کتاب ۱۰۴صفحه‌ای نمی‌توان انتظار معجزه یا گشودن دریچه‌ای شگرف به دنیای نمایش برای کارگردان یا بازیگر، داشت
اما می‌توان از آن آموخت و نکاتی که در پس ذهن‌ها مانده را به جلو آورده و با برجسته‌نمایی نکاتی جدید از آن درآورد.
گزیده‌گویی‌های نویسندگان اثر کمک می‌کند تا با زوایای مختلف کارگردانی با متن و اجرا روبه‌رو شویم

[John Geddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s some really interesting pieces of wisdom in there and the note format makes it convenient to return to.

[Bo Bilic · Rating 5 out of 5]

like all good direction should be: concise, honest and easily incorporated. so so good

[Brendy Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for aspiring directors filled with extremely useful advice on the process of directing a creative project. It allows for reflection and it's definitely a book I shall consult very often.

[Kacie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible reference book. I'm a long-time community theater actor: this is a great resource to understand why your director is making certain choices, and a perfect way to delineate why some directors can really make you feel amazing, and why some directors drive you crazy (I wish I could hammer #41 - Don't keep actors hanging about needlessly - to the door of every performance space like a modern Martin Luther). And as someone who'd like to dip my toe into directing in the future, this text lays out the entire process from start to finish, with references for further reading helpfully explained at the end.

It should be noted that this is specifically written with more professional productions in mind, so the scale of some of these instructions aren't applicable to everyone (you know, those of us with shoestring budgets and an all-volunteer production team), but the spirit of them is broad enough that you can tailor all of the advice without losing anything.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book full of insights and wisdom on directing from director Russell Reich and his mentor, British director Frank Hauser. This is a book I will return to again and again! I especially appreciate their practical tips in the chapter "Elements of Staging."

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"Every scene is a chase scene. Character A wants something from Character B who doesn't want to give it" (33).

"Unless characters are seen to be satisfying some need by what they do and say, the performance will be correct but bloodless" (71).

"Just tell the story...as believably, as excitingly as possible. Whatever does not tell the story should be subject to a very fishy examination" (9).

"Every object tells. In a properly created stage-world, nothing is extra and nothing is missing" (60).

[Brendan Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in a hundred and thirty short numbered lessons (ranging from a sentence or two to a page in length) and organized chronologically from the directors first encounter with the play to final production, this book is a set of in lessons on stage play directing, but it is also so much more.

Reading it did indeed provide retroactive insights into my directing experiences in college, but much of the advice on getting at the core of what the story is about, understanding conflict, and breaking a scene down into its most important parts will be useful for writers and readers as well. It's also just plain insightful about life and leadership.

A short and highly worthwhile read.

[Sleepless Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a way this book made me sad, as I know I'm not going to be able to direct theater for at least the next two years. Other than that, this book is truly amazing, short and to the point, and I really recommend it.

what I'm taking with me
• Giving criticism as a compliment is genius.
• Directing is a wonderful thing.
• Helping your actors, together creating the play, being present together, understanding the fundamentals and returning to them.

[Amanda Rafuse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a great book to turn to when about to embark on a process. Like sitting with a director you admire and getting some key advice and reminders -- and some new ways of thinking and tackling problems. For those of us who come to direction from the acting path, it can feel a bit discombobulating -- there is not a lot of mentorship and direct guidance out there, so sometimes a book like this can just be... reassuring that I am not going to break the process. Frankly, I should just tattoo reminders *21 and 24 on my arm for life, let alone theater creation processes.

*don't expect to have every answer and LIGHTEN UP!

[Robert Fenske · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd probably rate this a 4.5/5 for aspiring directors (film or stage) who have little to no experience. It's probably best used as a checklist or little mental refresher before the start of a new production. I wish I had this when making my college capstone (also my directorial debut).

Despite several "duh" moments for me I want to stress that the advice isn't bad. It's just that after years of working on many projects most of this advice will become second nature to you.

[Leda Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm neither a director nor an actor (nor ever plan to be one) but a writer, and I found this small book incredibly illuminating. I'd recommend this book to authors as an exercise, to put themselves in the place of a director and their characters in the place of actors. It gives engaging insight into aspects such as meaning, drive, the unseen, staging a scene, and solutions to common problems.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing to read a director that knows what they’re talking about.

The book is simple, accessible, and easy to follow. A lot of the lessons go hand in hand with what I am personally learning about acting as well, so it’s a good read even if you’re not looking to direct and to just understand theatre a little more.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, humorous anecdotes, clear and simple ideas and suggestions for working with actors, handling the emotions and intellects of those you work with, and helpful leadership ideas in general. Not just a great book for theatre directors but a great one for anyone interested in working well with others in many spheres of life!

[Molly Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever read a more helpful book on the actual practice of directing -- what to say, how to say it, with vision and kindness. Loved it, keeping it by my side for every production from now on.

[Isaac Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank Hauser's Notes on Directing was inspiring and charming from beginning to end.
There was never a note that felt forgettable or unimportant. Everything stuck with me. While this is a novel based on figures who haven't been involved in very recent media, their advice felt timeless.

[Luke Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me realize that I prefer short notes versus long exposition when it comes to directing craft, and there were quite a few notes in here that will prove helpful to my Directing II one-act final later this month and for rehearsals these next few weeks.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need and nothing you don't. I use a lot of these tips not just as a director but in daily life whenever I have to facilitate communication in any sort of group environment, and once you read this, you likely will too.

[Erik LeDrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific, punch-y treatise on directing actors. Demystifies the director-thespian relationship in similar fashion to how Mamet’s On Directing Film demystifies visual storytelling—which, for me, is saying a lot. Wish I’d read it years ago but will surely be re-reading it for years to comes.

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

great for any directing student, or anyone looking for a job in theatre! focuses highly on communication and simplicity in the craft; both things that mean a lot to me. also super easy to pick up and read.

[Ashley Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book to describe to my roommates why the ending of game of thrones was so unfulfilling. Also - anytime I direct theatre I like to give this a look over before rehearsal. Good tips most of them.

[Pranay Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for an amateur play director, but not so for a film one; maybe that’s why the extreme focus is on the actor-director relationship here. Nonetheless it has some great life lessons, but altogether I found it to be a little boring.

[MOBINAmimnun · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتاب بدی نبود. درصد زیادی از کتاب همون مطالب تکراری همیشگی بود، ولی نمیتونم بگم کتاب مفیدی نبود. چند نکته از کتاب رو قبلا نه شنیده بودم و نه بهشون فکر کرده بودم.
لینک کتاب در طاقچه:
https://taaghche.com/book/83259