There are nine routes to
consider when launching your career as a director. Before you decide which route
to take, research the careers of directors you admire and see if you can see
which route they followed remember that there is no such thing as a route - only
a route that is good for you: one that allows you to maximise you abilities and
talent.
1. Studio/Guild Route
After 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 Hartley (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
