Transitioning words into action. DIRECTORS Transitioning words into action.

DIRECTORS A movie director is a storyteller who needs a lot of people, equipment, creativity and planning to bring his story to a movie audience. Becoming a movie director requires experience, effort and contacts. The process of becoming a director starts years earlier with getting an education, building a portfolio and gaining experience in directing films and other aspects of movie production.

DIRECTORS – STEVEN SPIELBERG The world premiere of Steven Spielberg’s first feature film, "Firelight," was a gala event in March 1964. The lead actors and the director arrived in a borrowed limo as a searchlight swept the Phoenix sky. The packed theater watched the tale of alien abductors for two hours and 15 minutes. Local critics applauded the science fiction film, and at 75 cents per ticket, the movie was profitable. The next day, Spielberg, 17, and his family moved to Los Angeles. While attending California State University, Long Beach, he attracted the attention of executives at Universal Pictures. He went on to direct television shows and then award-winning movies. His first blockbuster, "Jaws," came 11 years after that Phoenix premiere.

DIRECTORS While directing a movie can lead to a shiny Oscar, it also means taking on a lot of responsibility. The director is responsible for a film's overall vision. He has final responsibility for the actors, the shots, the script, the props, the editing, etc.

DIRECTORS - RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibilities involved with directing include the following… Working with the movie producer to cast the actors Organizing and selecting shooting locations Interpreting the script -- and in some cases, writing or selecting it Approving sets, costumes, choreography and music Giving actors direction while conducting rehearsals and shooting the film Directing the work of the crew during shooting Working with cinematographers on shot composition Working with editors on creating a rough cut and final film

DIRECTORS That’s a lot for a single person to do, so directors usually delegate some of the work. Assistant directors, for example, may be responsible for overseeing specific locations or for cueing actors and crew. A Second-unit director may be in charge of directing stunt sequences. Or a director may describe what he wants out of a scene and then have the film crew find the location and lighting that work. Some do more than just direct, they may also write the script, act in the movie and serve as its producer -- or even do all three. Ex. – Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Spike Lee. FIND A MOVIE IN WHICH ONE OF THE DIRECTORS ABOVE WROTE, ACTED, AND DIRECTED A FILM.

DIRECTORS A director needs to be flexible enough to deal with unexpected challenges and open to suggestions from cast and crew that could make the movie better. The rewards are great for directors who can manage movie-making chaos and tell their stories well. Directors are usually paid 10 percent of a film’s gross earnings, blockbusters that bring in $200 million or more can return a healthy cash reward for their directors.

DIRECTORS – GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR Earning a degree can help you understand the technical aspects of the business and help you gain credibility with a studio. Here are a few directors and their alma maters… New York University -- Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, Oliver Stone University of Southern California -- Ron Howard, George Lucas, John Singleton California Institute of the Arts -- John Lasseter University of California at Los Angeles -- Francis Ford Coppola

DIRECTORS - GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR Plenty of other schools also offer courses in directing movies. If you attend one, you’ll be likely to learn about the technical aspects of filmmaking, such as cinematography and editing, as well as learning to work with actors and crew members. You’ll probably also examine directing styles, techniques and strategies, along with elements of storytelling (plot, character and theme), and the history of film. Besides attending classes, students at filmmaking schools participate in workshops and make one or more films while they're in school.

DIRECTORS - GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR Once you have a degree and some experience, another important step is turning clips from films you've helped make into a portfolio that you can show studio executives and other potential employers. Nobody will be willing to take a chance on you as a movie director unless you can show you have enough education and experience directing movies. Remember that the portfolio is essentially a DVD of clips of the movies that you helped direct, edit, produce, write, etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV5F_ARZAlg

DIRECTORS – GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR Portfolios – What should I put in mine? Educational experience, including the classes you’ve taken A resume showing your experience to date Contact information so you can be reached Clips from movies that show your skill in other areas, such as editing, writing, animation and cinematography A listing of film festivals you have entered and awards won Directing in other areas -- music videos, commercials, animated shorts, TV shows Stills and storyboards showing the thought and process behind the finished product

DIRECTORS – GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR While waiting for your big break, here are some things you can do in the mean time to help improve your craft and get noticed, Maybe a local band needs a music video or a furniture store wants a commercial to play on local TV and radio. Maybe your cable station could use a film director for a documentary. Maybe you want to try your hand at directing independent films and entering them in competitions. You won’t be alone if you don’t go right to directing films. Consider these examples: Sydney Pollack studied and taught acting and was a Broadway actor before directing TV shows. Tim Burton studied animation and worked on animated films for Disney. He made a short animated film that was deemed unsuitable for children but convinced Paul Rubens to choose Burton as director for "Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure" (1985). Martha Coolidge worked for a children’s television program, made some documentary films and directed a TV miniseries. John Singleton directed music videos, including Michael Jackson’s “Remember The Time.” Steven Spielberg directed episodes of television shows and TV movies, including “Duel” (1971), which attracted the attention of George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola.

TYPES OF DIRECTORS The “Technical” Director This director spends most of his time with the crew on the technical aspects of the shot and scene. He spends very little time with the actors (giving direction). He may just want to “let the actors do their thing” or he may not know how to successfully communicate with an actor.

TYPES OF DIRECTORS The “Performance” Director This director works with and understands the actor and the “acting process” but he also spends time with the technical aspects of the shot and scene.

TYPES OF DIRECTORS The “New” Director This director is someone who knows “a little about something but not enough of the entire job of directing.” These directors work in other areas of the business and get a “shot” at directing.