How To Become An Director
Directing is a difficult job. You have to know how to work with actors, writers, and other members of the filmmaking team. You also have to be able to maintain a good relationship with your production staff and make sure that they’re all working together toward the same goal.
But it’s not impossible—if you have the right skills and personality traits, you can learn how to become an effective director. Here are some tips on how you can get started:
- First off, make sure that directing is what you really want to do. There are plenty of jobs out there where you don’t need as much creativity or leadership ability—and they may pay better too! If directing isn’t really what lights your fire inside (and not just because it sounds cool), consider pursuing another career path instead of sticking with this one for too long before realizing it’s not working out for you after all.
- Find out if there are any schools nearby that offer courses in filmmaking or directing classes where you can take part in hands-on experience while learning from instructors who know their stuff inside and out (like us here at [company name]!). We offer these kinds of classes every year during our annual conference held at [location].
How To Become An Director
FILM DIRECTOR
Film directors create motion pictures, television shows, and video productions to entertain and inform a viewing audience. They may direct a short, instructional film for their municipality about jury duty or a big-budget, special-effects filled blockbuster for a nationwide release. Film directors oversee many if not all creative aspects of a film and are often involved in its post-production, including editing and sound design. The BLS reports that some film director job responsibilities include:
- Selecting a script to turn into a film
- Auditioning and choosing actors and the members of a film’s crew
- Approving and monitoring the budget for a film production
- Ensuring that the film is completed on time and within budget
The BLS predicts 9% job growth from 2014 to 2024 for producers and directors. The number of job opportunities for film directors in the motion picture and video industry is expected to increase thanks to the public demand for new movies and television shows. There is also demand overseas for films directed and produced in the U.S. Over time, new technology for video content delivery, including mobile phones and online television, may provide even more career opportunities for film directors across the country.
More and more schools are offering bachelor’s and master’s in film directing. Most film directors typically hold a bachelor’s in film or a related field and have several years of work experience. They often begin their film directing career as a film editor, actor, or assistant to an established director.
Academy of Art University and Full Sail University, both accredited for-profit institutions, offer online bachelor’s degrees in film with a curriculum that thoroughly covers directing and many other aspects of film production. Film programs typically require students complete one, sometimes several films. Example classes in a film or film directing program include:
- Film and Video Production
- Feature Script Analysis
- Film History
- Post Production
In order to coordinate the talents of what can be a large number of people working together to create a film, directors must develop strong leadership, management, and communication skills. Film directors also use their creative skills to bring a film script to life. As a film director’s reputation grows, he or she may advance to larger, more expensive projects.
including mobile phones and online television, may provide even more career opportunities for film directors across the country.
How To Become A Director
To become a successful director, you should follow a few critical steps, such as:
1. Learn The Basics Of Cinema And Film
Learning film history and theory are key to become a successful director. By familiarizing yourself with the lingo, equipment, and strategies often used in this line of work, you will be better prepared when it comes time to make your own masterpieces. Additionally, it can also be helpful to understand exactly what kind of role that directors play during every stage of production. The stages and responsibilities are:
- Development: The director often works with a producer, storyboard artist, and graphic designer to create a vision for the project, called a pitch deck.
- Pre-Production: Pre-production for a director involves working with all of the production crew heads to decide on key details.
- Principal Photography: Production, also known as principal photography, is when the actual filming takes place. Each day, the director goes through the dailies to choose scenes for the film editor.
- Post-Production: During post-production, edits are made to create the final product. Cinematographers and colorists work to ensure the imagery is properly colorized.
- Distribution: This is when the director follows the film to promotional events and festivals to answer questions about their artistic choices.
2. Watch Films Critically
Instead of focusing on the most notable elements, consider things like the mise-en-scène, which literally translates as “placing on stage,” as well as the soundtrack and the dialogue.
3. Develop Your Soft Skills
Directors should possess a number of skills and personality traits, like communication, self-motivation, focus, and problem-solving. Communication and interpersonal skills are especially important because directors deal with a variety of people, and, in a lot of ways, their role resembles a management position. Directors have to work with a number of key production personnel, including the:
- Visual effects supervisor
- Composer
- Colorist
- Sound designer
- Re-recording mixer
- Production sound mixer
- Production designer
- Storyboard artists
- Head costume designer
- Gaffer
- Key grip
- Cinematographer
- Producer
- Casting directors
- Associates
4. Make Your Own Short Films
5. Learn Acting Lingo And How To Act
Film directors and actors work closely together. By learning how to act, you can learn the most effective ways to direct actors. Directors that would rather focus on imagery than dealing with actors may be more interested in becoming a cinematographer.
6. Read Other People’s Scripts
You can find screenplays on websites like:
7. Develop Your Storytelling Skills By Writing Screenplays
Learn how to write a screenplay and then put those skills to use as often as you can. Once you’ve written a script, have others read it and evaluate your work.
8. Stay Current With The Trades
Popular trade publications include:
9. Consider Film School
In most cases, it’s wise for directors to attend film school and earn at least a bachelor’s degree. Not only do film schools provide essential technical training, but they also give you plenty of opportunities to practice the craft and receive constructive criticism. Aspiring film directors can pursue a wide range of digital media degree programs, including:
10. Gain Industry Experience
Even now-famous directors got their start somewhere. Many aspiring directors start as a production assistant. Additionally, within the directing department, there is a hierarchy, with the director at the top. Under them there is a:
11. Find Your Directing Style
Finding your personal voice or style is a process of trial and error. Experiment with different approaches, make the experience personal, draw from your influences, and connect with your characters.
12. Network
Most of the time, you are afforded more opportunities when you know more people, which is why it’s important for you to network by attending industry events.