Directing is not showing up on set and calling "Action." There is so much work that goes into directing, before you set foot on a set. So much, that people are hired to help the director. These people are called department heads, they SHOULD be more knowledgeable (in their fields) than the director. In fact a good director knows to surround themselves with people that are smarter than they are.
The shooting of thesis films this month really taught me a lot. If you're reading this and I worked with you this past month, I'm not trying to single any one out. A lot of good things did happen.
To direct a film you need to have a vision, and be able to communicate that vision to the people working with you. You need to be able to put every one on the same page, so you are all making the same film. This is one of the things that a strong Assistant Director will do. As far as non creative positions go, the 1st AD is the most important person on set, they can make or break your movie.
If you want to be a director, there are times when you need to STFU and listen to the people that you have around you. They are there for a reason, and YOU probable put them there for a reason! Your idea is not always the best, while you do have the final say, learn to swallow your pride and compromise. It's hard to know what things to compromise on, and it comes from experience, but a director with no willingness to compromise will fail.
Me (1st AD): You're not going to get all your shots today what do you want to cut?
Director: No it's ok, we can get them all.
Me: No you can't. The speed we've been going at is too slow, and you're running out of time. You have one hour left, and can not get three more shots.
Director: Yes I can, we're shooting them all, we'll just go really really fast.
I get very nervous when some one tells me not to worry. Unless there is sustenance behind their "Don't worry" such as, "Don't worry, I know a guy who has a steadycam rig, and he's already agreed to help out, I just need to iron out the dates." That puts my mind at ease. But saying, "Don't worry, it'll work out." Doesn't do it for me.
There is a theory in film making, the triangle if you will. You can have things either; Fast, Good, and Cheap, Pick two. I prefer always keep good, then depending on the circumstances, fast or cheap.
This weekend I spent Cinco De Mayo in one of California's beautiful Los Padres national forest, shooting guns with friends. What a great way to celebrate...what ever it is that happened on the 5th of May in what ever year it happened on. I got a little creative with my Contour HD camera.
It was a fun day, I did a lot of shotgun, so my shoulder is a little sore, but everything else was great.
Forgive my disjointed rantings today, I felt like it was a good time, after I had collected my thoughts to put them down on internet.
So do your homework if you want to direct. If your production calls for money, and you don't have it, either change the production, or GET SOME MONEY. I hate being on a shoot where no one gets paid, craft services (food) is a joke, and the director won't shell out for anything extra. If you want your film to have a low budget feel, stay low budget, but if you have a grandiose vision you will probably have to pay for it. There are plenty of ways to raise money today, Indygogo.com and kickstarter.com are great.
There is a lot more to being a director than calling action and cut. Things that you wouldn't even think about, try to get on set and just watch, take notes, ask questions, and learn that you have so much more to learn.
So in conclusion, get money, respect the people that work for you, stay true to the story, stay sharp, and stay tuned.
The shooting of thesis films this month really taught me a lot. If you're reading this and I worked with you this past month, I'm not trying to single any one out. A lot of good things did happen.
To direct a film you need to have a vision, and be able to communicate that vision to the people working with you. You need to be able to put every one on the same page, so you are all making the same film. This is one of the things that a strong Assistant Director will do. As far as non creative positions go, the 1st AD is the most important person on set, they can make or break your movie.
If you want to be a director, there are times when you need to STFU and listen to the people that you have around you. They are there for a reason, and YOU probable put them there for a reason! Your idea is not always the best, while you do have the final say, learn to swallow your pride and compromise. It's hard to know what things to compromise on, and it comes from experience, but a director with no willingness to compromise will fail.
Me (1st AD): You're not going to get all your shots today what do you want to cut?
Director: No it's ok, we can get them all.
Me: No you can't. The speed we've been going at is too slow, and you're running out of time. You have one hour left, and can not get three more shots.
Director: Yes I can, we're shooting them all, we'll just go really really fast.
I get very nervous when some one tells me not to worry. Unless there is sustenance behind their "Don't worry" such as, "Don't worry, I know a guy who has a steadycam rig, and he's already agreed to help out, I just need to iron out the dates." That puts my mind at ease. But saying, "Don't worry, it'll work out." Doesn't do it for me.
There is a theory in film making, the triangle if you will. You can have things either; Fast, Good, and Cheap, Pick two. I prefer always keep good, then depending on the circumstances, fast or cheap.
This weekend I spent Cinco De Mayo in one of California's beautiful Los Padres national forest, shooting guns with friends. What a great way to celebrate...what ever it is that happened on the 5th of May in what ever year it happened on. I got a little creative with my Contour HD camera.
Forgive my disjointed rantings today, I felt like it was a good time, after I had collected my thoughts to put them down on internet.
So do your homework if you want to direct. If your production calls for money, and you don't have it, either change the production, or GET SOME MONEY. I hate being on a shoot where no one gets paid, craft services (food) is a joke, and the director won't shell out for anything extra. If you want your film to have a low budget feel, stay low budget, but if you have a grandiose vision you will probably have to pay for it. There are plenty of ways to raise money today, Indygogo.com and kickstarter.com are great.
There is a lot more to being a director than calling action and cut. Things that you wouldn't even think about, try to get on set and just watch, take notes, ask questions, and learn that you have so much more to learn.
So in conclusion, get money, respect the people that work for you, stay true to the story, stay sharp, and stay tuned.
