Romy taught me to think (and act) from the actor’s perspective. What is needed to portray a character convincingly, to embody genuine emotions, and to arrive at logical, compelling actions that make a scene sparkle, feel authentic, and fit within the overall dramaturgy of the film? Her approach provides me, as a director, with greater insight and tools when it comes to directing actors: less focus solely on the cinematographic aspects of a scene, but in collaboration with actors, also focusing on the character’s motivations, actions, and goals to make the scene succeed. It also offers me, as a director, a pleasant mutual ‘language’ and understanding, which strengthens the collaboration with actors (and ultimately improves the results).
