Collaborating with actors is, for many filmmakers, the last frontier―the scariest part and the part they long for―the human part, the place where connection happens. Directing Actors: 25th Anniversary Edition covers the challenges of the actor-director relationship―the pitfalls of “result direction”; breaking down a script; how to prepare for casting sessions; when, how and whether to rehearse―but with updated references, expanded ideas, more detailed chapters on rehearsal and script analysis (using a scene from The Matrix)―and a whole new chapter on directing children. For twenty-five years the industry standard for instilling confidence in filmmakers, Directing Actors perseveres in its mission―to bring directors, actors and writers deeper into the exhilarating task of creating characters the world will not forget. Judith Weston has been a teacher of directors, actors, and writers since 1985. Her students include: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman, Biutiful, Amores Perros; Ava DuVernay, When They See Us, Queen Sugar, 13th, A Wrinkle in Time, Middle of Nowhere; Taika Waititi, Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Boy, Flight of the Conchords; Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave, Small Axe, Shame, Hunger; Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Mustang, Handmaid’s Tale, Perry Mason; Alma Har'el, Honey Boy; Andrew Stanton, WALL-E, Finding Dory, Finding Nemo, Better Call Saul, Stranger Things; Pete Docter, Soul, Inside Out, Up; Steph Green, Watchmen, The Americans; Fred Toye, The Boys, Westworld; Ritesh Batra, The Lunchbox; Caitriona Balfe, Outlander; Lawrence Trilling, Goliath, Rectify; Vicky Jenson, Shrek; Mark Fergus, The Expanse; Terry Zwigoff, Bad Santa, Ghost World; Patricia Cardoso, Real Women Have Curves, Queen Sugar; Andrea Toyias, World of Warcraft; David Chase, The Sopranos