Beginner's Guide To Becoming A Director

You love movies. You really love movies. You love movies so much you hardly ever see your partner. Actually, you don't have a partner. Because you spend so much time sitting in the dark. Loving movies. Time perhaps to throw away the books in which you have lovingly recorded all the movies you've watched since you had your first wet dream, to let your skin see the sun and to start putting your camera where your remote control was.

So you want to be a director? So do plenty of other pale video geeks, asthmatic mummies boys and hand-wringing neurotics. How do you stand out from the crowd? Read on...

ON THE JOB
In simple terms the director translates what's written down in the script into what appears on the screen. The director tells the story.

In practical terms this means persuading the financiers, the producer, the actors and the crew to tell the story the way they see it. Where the camera is positioned, what costumes are worn, what the scenery should loo like, how the characters should behave and so on.

Shoots go on for weeks and weeks. During this time a director's job will vary from inspiring genius to crisis management. All creative departments will suggest different ways of doing things than planned, the director must decide if they are better. The director has final say because he or she retains the OVERVIEW.