3 answers
Lisette
Student
Montgomery, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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How do get experience in directing ?
How do I get experience in directing and film production? I would love to get experience in terms of internship opportunities or private study but I don’t know where to start.
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3 answers
Emerson Welsh
Student Filmmaker and Movie Theatre Employee
4
Answers
Wichita, Kansas
Updated
Emerson’s Answer
Honestly, if you can lead a simple group project in your history class then you can be a director.
Ok it’s a little more complicated than that but there really is only a few things to get in the mindset. As a director you are THE person that everyone looks at. You need to be mentally capable of staying upbeat and productive because if you aren’t, the whole crew isn’t. You also have to be insanely good at communicating your ideas. Practice describing really complex ideas and abstract emotions and see if people understand you.
As a director you don’t do literally everything, but in my experience it’s good to have a baseline understand of the main crew and what each person does. (Grips, gaffer, cinematographer, etc.) Learn the different roles and you’ll gain film experience as well.
Gaining overall film experience is so so easy! Watch movies, recreate scenes, read screenplays. Most importantly is to just MAKE STUFF! Doesn’t matter what it is. You’ll quickly learn about what makes a shot look good and how to edit things together etc. Just make films, not excuses. :)
Film school is also an option. I feel the most valuable part of it for me is the networking and connections which can be hard to develop. I now know hundreds of talented people that help me grow. I would say it’s worth it to be completely honest!
For now, just start small, learn film lingo and be as pretentious as you can around everyone you know, they will love it trust me.
Ok it’s a little more complicated than that but there really is only a few things to get in the mindset. As a director you are THE person that everyone looks at. You need to be mentally capable of staying upbeat and productive because if you aren’t, the whole crew isn’t. You also have to be insanely good at communicating your ideas. Practice describing really complex ideas and abstract emotions and see if people understand you.
As a director you don’t do literally everything, but in my experience it’s good to have a baseline understand of the main crew and what each person does. (Grips, gaffer, cinematographer, etc.) Learn the different roles and you’ll gain film experience as well.
Gaining overall film experience is so so easy! Watch movies, recreate scenes, read screenplays. Most importantly is to just MAKE STUFF! Doesn’t matter what it is. You’ll quickly learn about what makes a shot look good and how to edit things together etc. Just make films, not excuses. :)
Film school is also an option. I feel the most valuable part of it for me is the networking and connections which can be hard to develop. I now know hundreds of talented people that help me grow. I would say it’s worth it to be completely honest!
For now, just start small, learn film lingo and be as pretentious as you can around everyone you know, they will love it trust me.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Lisette
Emeka Mbadiwe
Filmmaker
11
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Emeka’s Answer
Type in film Director on YouTube and watch every video that pops up. At least the first five pages. Regardless of the length of the video. Take your time with it. Then start creating short films with your cell phone with one or two people. Especially children if you can. Practice giving them direction of things you want them to do. Directing is all about taking what’s in your head and putting it into an actors head. And that takes practice. So practice with children. If you’re able to give children, good directions, you should naturally become good with adults. Keep going. Don’t give up.
Rupert Wainwright
3
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Rupert’s Answer
One of the best ways is to direct something yourself - you can use your iPhone and your friends as actors. There are several books you can read to get a sense of it. And tons of Youtube videos. Eventually you can apply for Film School in College and get better lessons there.
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Lisette