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About this quote

What does it mean?
Welles criticizes unrealistic direction, comparing it to unnatural emphasis in speech.
In plain terms
You can't force unnatural emphasis on actors any more than you can stress random words in a sentence.
What can you take from it?
Directors should avoid unnatural or impractical instructions for performers.

Where it applies

  • film sets
  • rehearsals
  • directing actors

Putting it to work

  • give natural direction
  • avoid arbitrary emphasis
  • trust actor intuition

Questions to consider

  • What makes direction feel unnatural?
  • When should directors break rules?

Another view

Sometimes stylized direction serves a specific artistic vision.

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