writer director — FILM EDUCATION

FILM EDUCATION

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.

Directors need a strong idea for what they’re looking for in every scene

After all the planning, preparation, meetings, auditions, rehearsals, location scouts, etc. – the first day of principle photography is what all the work has been about.

Your script analysis, thumbnail frames, shotlist, schematics, and meetings with your creative keys have helped build the plan for the production.

Pre-thinking performance notes and details are a vital part of the playbook.

Be kind. Be generous. Be specific.

In the book, 21st Century Film Student PRIMER, all students are encouraged to take an acting course or acting workshop so they can better understand what actors do. Why? Because you’ll be a better director.

Memorizing lines, keeping it fresh, staying ‘in the moment,’ and taking direction are tall orders for most people. Once you’ve walked in the actor’s shoes, you can better relate to the process of acting and being directed.

The craft of directing is an ongoing learning experience.

Script analysis fundamentals for the writer/director

In film school, more often than not, you will be tasked with writing your own script.

As the writer of the story, you still need to do a script analysis from the director’s perspective. Because of your expectations and writerly knowledge of the story, taking on the role of the director can create its own challenges.

Remember this: you will work just as hard to make a bad film as you will to make a good one. Good films start with a good script.

FILM EDUCATION

Film Directing 126: The Director's Playbook

Directors need a strong idea for what they’re looking for in every scene

Film Directing 120: The Director-Actor Relationship

Be kind. Be generous. Be specific.

Film Directing 104: Script Analysis II

Script analysis fundamentals for the writer/director