From the course: Creating a Short Film: 04 Working with Actors

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Holding a table read

Holding a table read

- Kind of related to the rehearsal is the table read. A table read is where actors come together, usually at a long table, hence the name, and read straight through the script, from start to finish. This footage is from a table read of a script by Assurance Behind the Scenes producer Elijah Teagues, with parts being read by Assurance alumni. Typically, on short films, table reads are done at the end of the writing phase of the process so that writers can hear actors verbalize their dialogue. But sometimes productions will hold an informal table read with actors that they might be thinking of for a particular role, and it could kind of become like an audition of sorts, or if the actors are already cast, it could be an opportunity for the actors to play with different choices in a more casual atmosphere. This might also be a great time to allow actors to improvise a little, see if the actors don't come up with some great lines that should be added to the script before production. So…

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