Film Directing 108: Thumbnails for the beginning director

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Film Directing 108: Thumbnails for the beginning director

Thumbnails lead to better films

‘Thumbnail’ is the term for a simple storyboard frame. It’s a small, quick sketch that shouldn’t take longer than 10 or 15 seconds to create. Thumbnails are an important part of the director’s visual planning process.

Thumbnails illustrate the size of the shot and the character position in the frame. This helps the different departments understand the director's goal for the camera set-up.

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Film Directing 107: Introduction to Shotlists

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Film Directing 107: Introduction to Shotlists

Shotlists help you plan your film

As the production moves from pre-production into principle photography, the shotlist is tremendously helpful. It shapes the schedule, clarifies the equipment that is needed, and many other important details that contribute to managing a smooth-running show.

Every director has their own process for pre-visualizing their story, but creating a written plan helps build confidence in the decision-making that happens on set.

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Film Directing 106: Introduction to Schematics

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Film Directing 106: Introduction to Schematics

Blocking strategies and schematics for the beginning director

Creating blocking strategies and drawing up schematics are critical skills for the beginning director to develop.

Every director goes through their own process for planning the visual story that they want to tell – before they arrive on set to shoot it. The director’s pre-production work informs the schedule for shooting the film. The schedule is bound by the budget. Ultimately, the amount of money and time available for you to shoot a scene will dictate the limitations you need to work within.

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Film Directing 105: Blocking the Scene

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Film Directing 105: Blocking the Scene

Blocking fundamentals for the beginning director

“Blocking’s up!” is the announcement you hear on set when the director, director of photography, and actors gather to walk through the dynamics of a scene and how it’s going to be shot. Blocking is essentially the choreography between the actor(s) and the camera.

There can be many moving parts to the blocking puzzle. Everyone who contributes to the shot needs to know what’s in the frame, what’s happening – and when it’s happening.

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Film Directing 104: Script Analysis II

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Film Directing 104: Script Analysis II

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.

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Film Directing 103: Script Analysis

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Film Directing 103: Script Analysis

Script analysis fundamentals for the beginning director

As a director you receive a script written in a screenplay format. This is the whole story with all of the scenes and characters. Your job is to turn that into a film.

In order to have a powerful and unique visual interpretation of the screenplay you need to know the story inside out; the characters, the dialogue, the subtext, the conflict, the story arc, the genre — and a thousand more details.

It can be exhausting. That’s why they’re gonna pay you the big bucks!

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Film Directing 102: Role of the Director

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Film Directing 102: Role of the Director

Managing Creative People

Most film production students are interested in directing, yet there are popular misconceptions about the role of the director.

It appears to many that directors are at the top of the pyramid in the filmmaking process, however, directors are actually employees of the producer. There are professional guidelines and contractual expectations for the job.

The director needs to have a solid understanding of the entire filmmaking process. Are you ready for the challenge?

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Film Directing 101: The Language of Film

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Film Directing 101: The Language of Film

The director must know how to communicate

Like any profession, there are specific words, terms, and references that you need to know in order to effectively communicate in the day-to-day activities of a working film director.

This is an expansive area and your knowledge will grow and evolve as you read screenplays, study films, and make films. Like learning any new language, becoming fluent takes time.

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Film Directing 100: LEVEL 100 Introduction

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Film Directing 100: LEVEL 100 Introduction

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 the director’s prep, pre-production, and 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.

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THE FILM STUDENT'S JOURNEY

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THE FILM STUDENT'S JOURNEY

To the film student, I caution you to be prepared for the long and difficult journey that lies ahead. It will not be easy, but with dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks, you will be able to achieve your dreams of becoming a successful filmmaker. Remember to always strive for excellence and to never give up on your passion for film.

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