Angelina Jolie takes charge while directing new movie Without Blood in Rome - while star Salma Hayek takes time out from filming the tense war-themed scenes to smoke

They touched down in Rome recently to being filming for new film Without Blood.

And while director Angelina Jolie was spotted making herself comfortable behind the camera on Thursday, Salma Hayek took a time out from the seemingly tense filming as she lit up a cigarette.

47-year-old Angelina, who is taking a step back acting and focusing on filmmaking, appeared in her element as she got into work mode.

Director mode: Angelina Jolie, 47, was spotted taking charge while directing her new movie Without Blood in Rome on Thursday

Getting ready: While actress Salma Hayek, 55, had a time out from the seemingly tense filming to smoke by her trailer

Clad with headphones and a radio, Angelina sported a casual look for the working day – with a pair of wide leg trousers and a cream cami top.

She appeared bare faced, covering her eyes with a pair of dark sunglasses, as a face covering hung on her elbow.

Comfortable: Clad with headphones and a radio, Angelina sported a casual look for the working day – with a pair of wide leg trousers and a cream cami top

Natural: The star appeared bare faced – as a face covering hung on her elbow

Angelina appeared busy as she chatted with staff and organised the set, swarmed by the movie’s crew while she took charge.

Over at her trailer, Salma prepared to film – with her hair tucked away in pin curls as they set.

She sported a casual loungewear co-ord in khaki, as the actress lit up a cigarette outside of the trailer.

In the zone? Covering her eyes with a pair of sunglasses, Angelina peered into a camera while appearing deep in thought

Getting ready: Meanwhile, over at her trailer, Salma had a cigarette as she prepared to film – with her hair tucked away in pin curls as they set

After an outfit change into a taupe tapered coat, Salma was in character and headed to the set, where she appeared stern faced during a conversation with Angelina.

The pair faced each other, as a makeup artist performed touch ups on Salma’s face while they chatted.

Without Blood is based on the international-bestselling novel of the same name by Italian writer Alessandro Baricc – with Angelina set to write, direct and produce it.

Gathering her thoughts? Salma appeared to be taking a moment to herself as she smoked outside

Time to go! She headed to change for the scene alongside a crew member

While the detailed plot of the film has not been revealed, the book focuses on the brutality of war, and a young girl’s search for healing after an act of violence occurs.

Mexican actor Demián Bichir is also set to star in the film alongside Salma.

Speaking after the film was announced, Angelina said: ‘I’m honoured to be here in Italy to bring this very special material to film, and to have been entrusted by Alessandro Baricco with the adaptation of his book — with its unique poetry and emotion and way of looking at war, and the questions it poses about what we search for after trauma or loss or injustice’.