9 WAYS to become a Director?!
August 13th 2008 00:25
1. Studio/Guild RouteAfter securing the necessary minimum days of on-the-job training, join the Directors Guild with a signatory production company and work your way up the ladder. Some companies allow you to shadow a director, which gives you valuable training.
2. The Independent Route Learn how to identify or create a low budget, 90-page script which you feel has something controversial to say. Scrape together some money and execute a 4:1 or 6:1 shooting ratio with high production values. Hire a sales agent and sell the film at AFM, Cannes, MIFED or Raindance, and make a profit for your investors. Repeat this process until you are discovered, or are considered a worthy risk for investors.
ie Woody Allen, Steven Soderburgh (Sex Lies and Videotape) ,Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs) and Hal Hartlyey (Swoon).
3. Screenplay Option Route Write or purchase a script/story and sell it, releasing the screen rights only when you are hired as director. This technique is called holding your script hostage.
ie (Return from Alcatraz)
4. Student/Festival Route Make a short film or ultra low budget feature and enter festivals, demonstrating your talent, gaining exposure to future clients and agents on the lookout for emerging talent. Hire a publicist to promote yourself,even if it is at the expense of your film. You are aiming to achieve notoriety or celebrity status.
ie Buffalo 66, Trees Lounge, Blair Witch Project
5. Agency Packaging Route After associating with celebrity actors or writers from a common agency, convince the agency to represent you as part of a package that they sell directly to production companies with you attached as director. The agency will usually attach name stars to your project as well.
ie Copland
6. Establish yourself in commercials By offering to direct test commercials or pop promos for unknown bands,demonstrate your talent and original ideas,and convince a producer to hire you to direct.
ie Ridley Scott, Tony Kaye (American History X)
7. Become a master of the short form Write and/or direct short films which demonstrate your talent. Enter festivals and competitions. When you have gained confidence,select several of your short films and approach either a production company (number1 above) or talent (number 5 above) and convince them to let you direct a long form film (feature)
ie Shane Meadows
8. Start as an assistant editor This has been the classic route to directing used by many directors in the1940s - 70s.Offer your services for free as an assistant editor:log shots, sync sound, until you are promoted to editor. When you have cut several films and impress with your knowledge of shots, get hired to direct a feature.
ie David Lean, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese
9. Become a successful stage director Most stage directors do not realise how well equipped they are to direct film. Blocking, timing, storytelling and working with actors are all essential directing skills that many film directors lack. Why not start a theatre group with a few close friends (like Steppenwolf in Chicago, or Second City in Toronto) and build a reputation for exciting stage shows. Invite reviewers and agents, and wait to be discovered by a producer,or turn a stage show into a movie yourself.
ie Sam Mendes, Stephen Daldry, Andrew Shea
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