“Directing is hard work, so please be kind to your directors, and give them your support–they have a truly thankless job, because as I’ve mentioned, if the production succeeds, it’s because the actors were great. But if the show tanks, it’s invariably because the director sucked.”

~ an NUS theatre practical instructor

Yup, this quote was written on the Chadian 7 blog (yes!!! It's still operational!!!) by my lead actor, who will be going through his theatre studies practical soon. Such a nice quote that is music to the ears... Make that a classical instrumental piece to the ear... Haha...

Not sure about how true this quote is though, cos at least for movies, when a movie tanks, most of the time it really is because of lousy actors (Glitter, anyone?). And if these actors are already renowned to be thespians in their field yet the movie still sinks, then I blame not only the director but also the scriptwriter. Like in Star Wars where even great actors like Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson become mediocre actors under the superb direction and screenplay of Mr George Lucas. And I'm very sure that Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are more than competent actors, yet Stephen Sommers turned The Mummy Returns into a dud.

Then there are movies with that ultimate lethal combination of lousy actors, lousy director and lousy scriptwriter. Don't ask me for examples. I can't be bothered to watch or remember them.

But of course, since actors are generally in the spotlight more often than directors, it is easier to blame the one behind the scenes than the one onscreen. And I guess it is indeed true that while directors may not be the one to be blamed for a lousy piece of work, a good director is generally able to create wonders. Dying Young had a mediocre script, but Joel Shumacher was able to create an emotionally affecting movie. Kenny Ortega's inexperience in movie-directing was sometimes painfully obvious, but his experience in dance choreography and photography created a classic out of the Disney movie Newsies. And well, just look at what Peter Jackson did with Orlando Bloom...

Then again, I must admit that directors that have established themselves do get better opportunities at working with better scripts and actors. Too often have I heard in making-of specials of how established actors are drawn to a good director like flies drawn to a light.

So, who is really to be blamed for tanking a movie? Or who should get the credit for a wonderfully made movie?



Speaking of movies, I WANNA WATCH THE PRESTIGE!!!! Who's coming to watch with me???



I mean, Hugh Jackman is great but...


All hail Christian Bale!!!