3 answers
Lilah
Student
Gallup, New Mexico
2
Questions
Asked
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What does it take to be a film director?
I'm a Junior now in high school and I'm interested in becoming a Director (maybe).
I'm really interested in how directors can take this idea of a show or movie and turn it into something that people love and enjoy. When I'm thinking about one I'll sometimes think of other ways the scene could've played out or if I disagree with a certain scene I would explain how I think it should've gone. I want to know what the challenges of being a Director to see if this a career I want to pursue.
#acting #director #filmmaking
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3 answers
Donn Swaby
Actor - Writer
15
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Donn’s Answer
Glad to hear you are expressing interest in directing. First thing, keep watching films and television shows. Think of each scene and the different shots within the scene (wide, medium, close ups). Think of each element: lighting, sound, editing, the actors. the set and props. Try to identify both the plot of a film and the story which are two different things.
Example:
Star Wars plot: a farm boy joins the Rebel Alliance and helps to destroy The Empire's most eared weapon, the Death Star.
Star Wars story: A restless young man commits to trusting his feelings within and in doing so, discovers an inner power he never knew he had.
The director is the one who's vision unites all those elements within the frame. It's all about telling a story in the best way possible.
You can watch videos made by professional directors talking about the craft of storytelling and directing. Depending upon the medium (theater, film, television, online content, radio) a director will work in different ways (4 weeks rehearsal for a play vs. days of shooting on a film or tv set where the actors are doing several scenes per day).
You could find a ton of material on You Tube of directors sharing their knowledge and insight. If you ever plan to work with actors (as opposed to doing animation) you will want to eventually take some acting lessons so you have an experiential understanding of the craft of acting and will thus know how to help the actor get to where you want them to go in a scene.
So just be open to learning as much as you can, If you write stories, do it. If you don't write, find people who do write or even better find a writer whose writing you really resonate with. Maybe get a group of people together and shoot something. It's all practice and gaining experience. If you are driven to do this, you'll feel it. I wish you the best on your journey!
Example:
Star Wars plot: a farm boy joins the Rebel Alliance and helps to destroy The Empire's most eared weapon, the Death Star.
Star Wars story: A restless young man commits to trusting his feelings within and in doing so, discovers an inner power he never knew he had.
The director is the one who's vision unites all those elements within the frame. It's all about telling a story in the best way possible.
You can watch videos made by professional directors talking about the craft of storytelling and directing. Depending upon the medium (theater, film, television, online content, radio) a director will work in different ways (4 weeks rehearsal for a play vs. days of shooting on a film or tv set where the actors are doing several scenes per day).
You could find a ton of material on You Tube of directors sharing their knowledge and insight. If you ever plan to work with actors (as opposed to doing animation) you will want to eventually take some acting lessons so you have an experiential understanding of the craft of acting and will thus know how to help the actor get to where you want them to go in a scene.
So just be open to learning as much as you can, If you write stories, do it. If you don't write, find people who do write or even better find a writer whose writing you really resonate with. Maybe get a group of people together and shoot something. It's all practice and gaining experience. If you are driven to do this, you'll feel it. I wish you the best on your journey!
Chris Burns
Actor, Singer, Dancer, Drummer, Voice-over reels, Actor Demo Reels
10
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Chris’s Answer
I highly suggest reading Rebel without a Crew. By Robert Rodriguez. It is a great area and give a lot of incite into how to be a great director. Watch a lot of film and tv and see how they are making the cuts. Some of the best Directors I have worked with are actually editors. They are shooting the script the way they are cutting it in their head.
I think the biggest thing is get a camera, even your phone and start playing around with shooting. As some have mentioned there is a lot on youtube. Look at a shot, see how it is lit, see how the angle is set up. Record things and edit them together. Practice in this area will sharpen your skills and show you why thing did or did not work.
Look into film schools. Talk to students that are attending, they may be willing to take you on the journey with them. Offer to help in anyway you can. If you can have that on set experience, you will get a better idea about the job and know how to conduct yourself as well as wha t the job entails. Also, you never know when you might be called on to direct a shot or two.
My wife and I own ClassAct Studios in orlando, fl. It is a film acting school. Find one in your area and take a class. We have found that directors learn a lot about actors jobs, gain respect for the work they put in and also how to talk to them on set. Many directors I have scene are so focused on the setup of the shot the they don't pay attention to the actors.
By hiring the right actors, they will bring the script to life. You need to be able to direct them into your vision, but you also have to be willing to listen to the work they have put into it and see what perspective they are coming from.
Find a film school in your area and see if you can tag along.
Look for acting classes in your area. There is a good chance that those actors are doing projects.
Read Rebel without a crew for inspiration and ideas.
Shoot often! Even if it is a small scene on your phone of a bug carrying a leaf!
I think the biggest thing is get a camera, even your phone and start playing around with shooting. As some have mentioned there is a lot on youtube. Look at a shot, see how it is lit, see how the angle is set up. Record things and edit them together. Practice in this area will sharpen your skills and show you why thing did or did not work.
Look into film schools. Talk to students that are attending, they may be willing to take you on the journey with them. Offer to help in anyway you can. If you can have that on set experience, you will get a better idea about the job and know how to conduct yourself as well as wha t the job entails. Also, you never know when you might be called on to direct a shot or two.
My wife and I own ClassAct Studios in orlando, fl. It is a film acting school. Find one in your area and take a class. We have found that directors learn a lot about actors jobs, gain respect for the work they put in and also how to talk to them on set. Many directors I have scene are so focused on the setup of the shot the they don't pay attention to the actors.
By hiring the right actors, they will bring the script to life. You need to be able to direct them into your vision, but you also have to be willing to listen to the work they have put into it and see what perspective they are coming from.
Chris recommends the following next steps:
Thomas Sutherland
Associate Continuity and Recovery Specialist, CBCP
207
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
"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."
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."