Film Directing 100: LEVEL 100 Introduction

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Directing Fundamentals

Without a strong vision behind a story, a film will lose its focus. A film director needs to have an understanding of how each department contributes to the making of a film and how to best utilize the talents of all team members. The following 100 LEVEL blogs cover the role and responsibilities of a director in script development, pre-production, production, and post production. Read along to learn how to tell a story cinematically, use the camera as a tool, prepare a script analysis and engage in the casting and rehearsal process with actors.

The goal of Directing Fundamentals 100 LEVEL is for students to gain basic knowledge and appreciation of the role of the director and how the technical and creative areas of filmmaking merge together.

Developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to build collaborative relationships with the creative team throughout all stages of production is key. Understanding the value of the director’s tools and how to best utilize them is vital to success in the director’s position. Directorial duties, such as analyzing a script, creating shotlists, schematics, storyboards, etc., are necessary for learning how to pre-visualize the story and are critical in working with the cast and crew.

The 100 LEVEL content covers:

  • The Language of Film

  • The Role of the Director

  • Script Analysis for the Director

  • Directing the Actor for Beginning Directors

  • The Basics of Blocking

  • The Psychology of the Camera

  • How a Director Prepares

The following books are excellent resources for the learning director and are strongly recommended for any student who is serious about the craft of directing:

  • Film Directing Fundamentals - by Nicholas T. Proferes

  • Directing Actors - by Judith Weston

Film is an extremely competitive and professional business. Anyone working on a film set must adhere to industry-level standards of behaviour and execution of their roles and duties. Students who hope to work in film and television need to know the following:

  • Be on time. It’s better to be early. Tardiness is not tolerated.

  • Turn off your cellphones, laptops, or tablets when you step on set. Distractions and interruptions on a working set are not tolerated.

  • Inappropriate conduct, disrespectful language, and disruptive behaviour is not tolerated. Most productions provide policies and instructions for crew members

  • Safety on set is a priority. Most productions require certification that crew members have completed industry courses on safety and best practices.

Film Schools have handbooks on the specific policies that must be followed in the classroom and workshops, as well as on sets and locations. Understanding the rules for your film program, the acceptable activities for the campus, classrooms, and workshops - as well as the dynamics of working on student sets is important.