Lighting against a wall/flat. Questions on how to avoid nasty cast shadows etc.

This is the most frustrating thing in the world to me as a young LD. I've tried a few things but none have been very effective. When an actor is against a wall, I hate seeing the front area light on the wall as usually it makes the wall 'pop' more than the actor or nasty shadows are cast, and obviously I like to accent the set pieces with breakups or another system, etc.

Is it just a matter of asking the director to change blocking slightly or is that an unreasonable request that would bring a lot of flack in my direction? Or is it a matter of sacrificing the angle of the front light in those areas?

Thanks in advance!