A Study on Actor Coaching and Directing Processes in Short Horror Film Production through Improvisational Acting Techniques

Abstract

A Study on Actor Coaching and Directing Processes in Short Horror Film Production through Improvisational Acting Techniques, aims to: (1) examine the process of actor coaching and directing in the creation of short horror films using improvisational acting techniques, and (2) explore the communication effects and audience perception derived from short horror films employing such techniques. As a researcher, I studied a document-based analysis of three innovative short film theses produced by students of the Cinema and Digital Media Program; at College of Social Communication Innovation in 2023: Happy Bitterday, Lucretia, and A Long Way, in-depth interviews with directors, acting coaches, and actors, as well as a data-based analysis of critical reviews from scholars, film critics, and industry experts in short filmmaking gathered from panel discussions and online critiques to examine the communication effects and audience perception. These works were selected as they exemplify creative processes and reflect the practical outcomes of actor coaching and directing using improvisational methods within the short horror film genre. Findings reveal that actor training and directing grounded in improvisation focus primarily on cultivating trust and adaptability in unforeseen situations. Actors develop rapid emotional responses—such as fear or panic—through group exercises, unscripted interactional training and movements. Directors, in turn, are required to design on-set environments that encourage spontaneity and adjust situational contexts according to the actors’ reactions and abilities. This approach enhances emotional authenticity and intensifies the realism perceived by viewers. Consequently, the improvisational techniques effectively heightens dramatic tension and reinforces the sense of fear within short horror film. Regarding the communication effects and audience perception, Happy Bitterday received positive responses from scholars and experts, with acting skills effectively evoking fear, suspense, and tension. In contrast, A Long Way showed weaknesses in emotional communication, leaving audiences unclear about the characters' true motivations. Meanwhile, Lucretia demonstrated highly seamless improvisational acting that audiences perceived as fully scripted performance, indicating that effective improvisation can be thoroughly integrated with the screenplay.