Becoming a director is no easy task. It requires years of training, hard work and dedication. But if you want to direct movies, it’s possible for you to do so. Here are some tips on how to become a movie director:
- Study film direction at an accredited college or university
- Take classes in film production, screenwriting and cinematography
- Work as an assistant director or producer on low-budget productions
- Volunteer with local film organizations that offer internships
- Attend film festivals and conventions like Sundance Film Festival or Cannes Film Festival
How To Become Movie Director
How to Become a Film Director
Have you been wondering how to become a director? Are you passionate about working in film and television? Directors working in movies must make the different creative decisions that help tell a script’s story and entertain audiences. This typically requires directors to work closely with cast and crew members from pre-production to post-production to ensure that the project stays true to its meaning and intent. The following table includes some details about this career so that you can learn more about how to be a director.
| Degree Required | Bachelor’s degree |
| Degree Field | Film, cinema |
| Other Requirements | Work experience |
| Annual Mean Salary (2019)* | $109,540 (producers and directors in motion picture video industries) |
| Estimated Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 10% (producers and directors in motion picture and sound recording industries) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Directors work closely with and answer to a film’s producers, who are in charge of the business aspects of the film. Some directors may also work as producers on the same project. Other job duties for a director include:
- Hire the cast and crew
- Conduct research about the movie’s subject
- Run rehearsals
- Approve creative decisions with sets, costumes, lighting, etc.
- Oversee editing, special effects, and other post-production processes
Film Director Education Requirements
Students wondering how to become a movie director need to be aware of the different education and director requirements that are typically needed for the position, many of which come from work experience. Many students who want to be a director will need to work their way up in the industry over time. Here we discuss how to become a movie director and producer in more detail.
What education do you need to become a film director? Directors and producers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree from a 4-year institution. A film director college may offer Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree programs that can prepare students for the career.
Students wondering what to study to become a film director can usually choose from subjects like film or cinema that help prepare students for the filmmaking process. These degree programs may include a director course in topics like cinematography, editing, film history, and screenwriting. Some of these courses may even be available online, such as online courses for television and digital media production.
Other film director degree options include subjects in communications, writing, acting, or journalism. There are also many different digital media degree programs available at the undergraduate and graduate levels that could help prepare students for careers as directors. Although it is not usually required, graduate degree programs, such as a master’s in film and video editing or other Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree programs, can further develop the qualifications to become a film director along with the skills and expertise in the field.
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How to Get Into Film Directing
Once they have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, students interested in becoming a Hollywood director typically begin their careers in low-profile studio positions. They may work as assistants to film editors, cinematographers, or directors for several years before they earn their first directing job.
Once they direct their first film, directors will continue to pursue other projects in hopes that their reputation grows in the industry. This may allow them to work with a variety of producers in the field and/or begin working on larger projects with more mainstream attention. This also usually comes with an increased budget and more creative freedom for their films.
Qualifications Needed to Be a Director
In addition to educational and technical requirements needed to become a film director, there are also personal skills and qualities that can be beneficial to cultivate. Here are just a few of them:
- Attention to detail
- Excellent leadership abilities
- Excellent communication
- Ability to manage a large team
- Strong organizational skills
- Efficiency
- Ability to plan ahead
- Ability to give and follow complex instructions
- High energy levels
- Strong work ethic
How to Become a Film Director Without Film School
Education requirements for film director work are recommended, but it may also be possible to get into this job without any specific formal education. Directors who go this route will usually work their way up in various studio positions, as mentioned above, and/or begin creating their own films and grow in their reputation. This route to the career may include a lot of trial and error, but can also provide aspiring directors with a lot of creative freedom. Consider finding a job as a production assistant or in another department that requires little or no experience. Talk to people from various departments that interest you in order to get a better sense of what is needed and where you can learn more.
Pros and Cons of Working as a Film Director
While working as a film director may be a great fit for many people, the job also has its challenges. Here are some of the best things about the job:
- Film directors make many creative decisions
- Much of the work of creating a film is delegated to other positions
- Directors have access to excellent resources for their creative output
- The skills involved in directing are transferrable to all kinds of film work
The challenges of the job include the following:
- Film shoots tend to involve long hours, often outside
- Coordinating a large cast and crew can be extremely challenging
- Directors will have to contend with environmental and other obstacles to their work
- Films are often made on a very tight schedule with little room for error
