{"id":157176,"date":"2021-08-12T07:22:18","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T12:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=157176"},"modified":"2021-08-17T10:14:36","modified_gmt":"2021-08-17T15:14:36","slug":"swan-song-5-tips-for-building-an-actor-director-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/swan-song-5-tips-for-building-an-actor-director-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"Swan Song: 5 Tips for Building an Actor\/Director Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Swan Song<\/em> director Todd Stephens and star Udo Kier share insight into how they worked together to develop the perfect on-screen character.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of the project or film, it takes a strong relationship between a director and actor to truly unlock the best performances. However, in those special instances where a film features an iconic lead actor portraying a larger-than-life character—who’s literally in every single scene—it\u2019s absolutely necessary to build the strongest working relationship possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the case with Swan Song<\/a><\/em>, the SXSW standout directed by Todd Stephens<\/a> (known for his important coming-of-age and coming out films Edge of Seventeen<\/a><\/em>, Gypsy 83<\/a><\/em>, and Another Gay Movie<\/a><\/em>) and starring ubiquitous character actor Udo Kier<\/a> (known for decades of collaboration with acclaimed filmmakers like Lars von Trier<\/a>, Gus Van Sant<\/a>, and Werner Herzog<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After watching their film at the Oak Cliff Film Festival<\/a> in Dallas, Texas, we caught up with Stephens and Kier as they shared insight into how they developed this important actor\/director relationship, as well as advice for aspiring filmmakers and stars looking to launch their own cinematic careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. It Starts with the Writing<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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