underdirect

From under- +‎ direct.

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underdirect (third-person singular simple present underdirects, present participle underdirecting, simple past and past participle underdirected)

1. To exert too little artistic control when directing (a play or film).
   • 1971 fall, John R. Davoli, quotee, “Short Notices”, in Cinefantastique, volume 1, number 4, Frederick S. Clarke, →ISSN, page 40, column 4:

     Despite the seeming interest of the screenplay, Romero underdirects the entire effort, sending his actors through their paces without bothering to make them believe in the film.

   • 1987 January, James Palmarini, “Rick Cluchey: A Beckett disciple's long journey from San Quentin to Notre Dame”, in Dramatics, volume 58, number 5, Cincinnati, Ohio: International Thespian Society, →ISSN, page 17, column 3:

     I think he underdirects because he wants the script — the text — to be in control.

   • 2017, Gabriella Oldham, Mabel Langdon, Harry Langdon: King of Silent Comedy, →ISBN, page 171:

     We think it is time that some one explained to him, before he overacts and underdirects another feature picture for Broadway consumption, that while art suffereth long and is kind, cheapness and vulgarity are something else again.

2. To provide too little guidance or direction.
   • 1913, Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, Proceedings of the Annual Convention - Volumes 26-28, page 75:

     The opinion is expressed that time is wasted by misdirected or underdirected visiting of schools.

   • 1946, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations, Cancer Research:

     They should neither overdirect nor underdirect the program.

   • 1982, Susan Dellinger, Communicating Effectively: A Complete Guide for Better Management, →ISBN:

     When a meeting is either overdirected (Example A) or underdirected (Example B), you're in trouble.