Complete Directing Actor Terminology Cheat Sheet: Essential Film & Theater Direction Guide

Introduction

Actor directing terminology encompasses the specialized vocabulary used by directors to communicate with actors during rehearsals and filming. This language serves as a bridge between the director’s vision and the actor’s performance, enabling precise, efficient communication that enhances creativity while maintaining professional workflow. Mastering this terminology is crucial for directors, actors, assistant directors, and anyone working in film, television, or theater production.

Core Concepts & Principles

Communication Hierarchy

• Director-to-Actor: Primary creative direction and performance guidance
• Assistant Director-to-Actor: Logistical direction and set management
• Script Supervisor-to-Actor: Continuity and script adherence notes

Performance Layers

• External: Physical actions, movement, and vocal delivery
• Internal: Emotional truth, motivation, and character psychology
• Subtext: Underlying meaning beneath spoken dialogue

Direction Types

• Result Direction: Telling actors what emotion or outcome to achieve
• Action Direction: Giving actors specific physical or mental tasks to perform
• Adjustment Direction: Fine-tuning existing performance elements

Essential Directing Commands

Basic Set Commands

Performance Direction Terms

Character Development Terminology

Motivation & Objectives

• Super-objective: Character’s main goal throughout entire story
• Objective: What character wants in specific scene
• Obstacle: What prevents character from achieving objective
• Tactic: How character tries to overcome obstacles
• Stakes: What character risks losing if they fail

Emotional Direction

• Emotional preparation: Getting into character’s emotional state before scene
• Sense memory: Using personal memories to create authentic emotions
• Substitution: Replacing script circumstances with personal equivalents
• Given circumstances: All facts about character’s situation from script

Physical Direction Terms

Movement & Blocking

• Cross: Move from one area to another
• Counter: Adjust position to balance stage/frame composition
• Cheat out: Turn slightly toward camera/audience
• Profile: Side view position
• Full front: Facing directly toward camera/audience
• Upstage: Move away from camera/audience
• Downstage: Move toward camera/audience

Gesture & Body Language

• Gesture: Deliberate hand/arm movement
• Business: Small physical activities that support character
• Indicate: Obvious, superficial physical expression (usually to be avoided)
• Organic: Natural, truthful physical expression

Technical Film Terminology

Camera-Specific Directions

Timing & Rhythm

• Timing: Precision of when actions/lines occur
• Rhythm: Overall pace and flow of performance
• Tempo: Speed of dialogue and action
• Cadence: Natural flow of speech patterns

Common Performance Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Overacting/Indicating

Problem: Performance appears forced or unnatural Solution:

• Use “less is more” direction
• Focus on internal truth rather than external display
• Give specific actions rather than emotional results

Challenge: Lack of Energy

Problem: Performance feels flat or monotonous Solution:

• Raise the stakes of the scene
• Find stronger objectives and obstacles
• Use physical warm-ups before takes

Challenge: Inconsistent Performance

Problem: Different emotional levels between takes Solution:

• Establish clear emotional baseline before each take
• Use consistent preparation routine
• Provide specific emotional landmarks

Challenge: Line Delivery Issues

Problem: Dialogue sounds unnatural or rushed Solution:

• Focus on subtext and intention
• Practice varying tempo and rhythm
• Use paraphrasing exercises to find natural speech patterns

Direction Styles & Approaches

Method-Based Direction

• Emotional memory: Drawing from personal experiences
• Sense memory: Using physical sensations to trigger emotions
• Substitution: Replacing fictional circumstances with personal ones

Action-Based Direction

• Physical objectives: What the character physically wants to do
• Verbal actions: What the character wants to accomplish with words
• Moment-to-moment: Living truthfully in each instant

Result vs. Process Direction

Best Practices for Directors

Communication Guidelines

• Give one clear direction at a time
• Use positive language (“Try this” vs. “Don’t do that”)
• Be specific rather than general
• Respect the actor’s process and preparation time
• Create safe space for experimentation

Rehearsal Terminology

• Table work: Script analysis and discussion phase
• Blocking rehearsal: Establishing movement and positioning
• Working rehearsal: Refining performance and timing
• Dress rehearsal: Final run-through with all elements
• Tech rehearsal: Integrating technical elements

On-Set Efficiency

• Use consistent terminology with entire cast
• Establish clear signals for common adjustments
• Maintain calm, authoritative presence
• Give direction immediately after “cut”
• Keep notes for consistency between takes

Advanced Directing Concepts

Subtext Direction

• What you’re really saying: The meaning beneath the words
• What you’re not saying: Information character withholds
• Playing the opposite: Performing against obvious emotional choice

Scene Analysis Terms

• Arc: Character’s emotional journey through scene
• Climax: Highest point of conflict or emotion
• Resolution: How scene concludes or transitions
• Through-line: Character’s consistent motivation throughout

Genre-Specific Terminology

Practical Tips for Implementation

For New Directors

• Study terminology before working with professional actors
• Practice giving clear, actionable direction
• Learn to recognize when actors need different types of direction
• Develop your own shorthand with regular collaborators

For Actors

• Learn basic terminology to understand direction quickly
• Ask for clarification when direction is unclear
• Develop vocabulary to communicate your own needs
• Practice translating director’s vision into playable actions

For Assistant Directors

• Master logistical terminology for smooth set operations
• Understand performance terms to support director’s vision
• Develop clear, authoritative communication style
• Learn to anticipate director’s needs

Resources for Further Learning

Essential Books

• “Directing Actors” by Judith Weston
• “The Director’s Craft” by Katie Mitchell
• “Notes on Directing” by Frank Hauser and Russell Reich
• “On Directing Film” by David Mamet

Online Resources

• MasterClass directing courses
• Film Independent workshops
• American Film Institute resources
• Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

Practical Training

• Assistant directing opportunities
• Acting classes for directors
• Film school directing programs
• Theater directing workshops

Industry Publications

• American Cinematographer Magazine
• Filmmaker Magazine
• Stage Directions Magazine
• Directors Guild of America resources

This cheat sheet serves as a comprehensive reference for directing terminology. Regular practice and application of these terms will improve communication efficiency and creative collaboration in any production environment.