Insight
Is Working As A Film Director For You?
The film industry can be one of the most rewarding worlds to work within if you have a passion for storytelling, a creative vision and an aptitude for collaborating with others as part of a wider team.
There are many creative individuals and different roles involved in supporting filmmaking alongside aspiring directors.
Depending on the budget of a film, there can be casting directors, assistant directors, a camera department, a director of photography, a visual effects team, actors and other key professionals in pre and post-production too.
If you are trying to work out whether a film career could be a suitable path for you and your skills, then studying a degree like SAE’s Film Production course can be a good direction to follow. Not only will this give you the knowledge to navigate the industry but also ensure you are aware of the different elements that shape the overall creative vision of a film alongside directing.
Do you want to join one of our film directing courses? Then get in contact with our team now. You can also read our blog for more insights to see if working as a film director is for you, how to get hired and why a clear creative vision will take you a long way.
Film Schools
Studying a degree is one of the most effective platforms from where aspiring directors can launch a career. Gaining experience in this safe space can help you understand the entire process of filmmaking from sketching out initial concepts to final production.
You will explore different roles including directing, camera, lighting, reading scripts, sound, editing and producing as well as gaining an understanding of how to fund, distribute and promote a project. You will also get a thorough of understanding of how best to liaise with producers, actors and other team members you will come into contact when undertaking this job.
It pays to get as much experience as possible in the different roles that go into film and television while at university so you have a thorough understanding of how the sector works.
Is Film Your Calling?
As an aspiring filmmaking looking to make your own films, you need to ask yourself a series of questions about your creativity and where making films fits into these aspirations.
There are some core attributes that go beyond merely brandishing a clapboard and shouting “action”.
A Burning Need to Create
Quentin Tarantino’s rise to film director came through a passion, verging on an obsession, for consuming and understanding movies of all kinds. If you have this burning need to tell stories, no matter what the budget or possibility of financial return, then this could be the career for you.
Resilience
No one said making films is easy – and while studying can prepare you to enter the world of film, you will also need to develop a thick skin once you’re operating within it. There will likely always be challenges, whether that comes from having pitches rejected to trying to make ideas come to life with a skeleton crew and slim budget.
An Ability to Solve Problems
No two days can be the same when making a film, whether it be a documentary or a narrative-driven piece. Being on set also often creates different practical, logistical and even financial issues that directors need to be able to negotiate. A pragmatic approach coupled with an open-minded attitude and ability to handle unexpected pressures can be key.
Clear Communication
From working on set to networking and selling an idea at film festivals, a natural ability to relate and get on with others is an important part of the director’s toolkit. A final film often comes from a film crew and production companies, both of which involve a number of different participants, professionals and moving parts.
If you can thrive when communicating the creative aspects of a project, are adept at leveraging industry contacts and steering a film crew in the right direction, then these leadership skills mean you could be well-placed to work in this world.
The Reality of the film Industry
Of course, Hollywood shows the success of filmmaking but there’s far more to it than just seeing your final work. There can be a huge amount of blood, sweat and tears that go into bringing a project to life and there are many realities that accompany this.
Risk and Competition
Directing and working within the world of film can mean entering a competitive world where you have to rise above others and take risks to achieve what you’re looking to do. Most work is also freelance, meaning you will need to be savvy about how you financially survive when pay can be irregular. This means you will constantly have to pitch for new projects and there can be some periods of downtime between any jobs.
Long Hours
It almost goes without saying that the job of a film director can involve long and often unsociable hours. This is not the industry for anyone who wants to work a traditional 9-5. Instead, directors can find themselves working at all hours and in a variety of locations depending on the needs of a project.
Collaborative Art
The role of a director is to not only provide a clear vision for a project but orchestrate the combined talents of everyone involved. You will need to be meticulous when managing a shoot to ensure that all the professionals you’ve assembled – from the cinematographer and set designers to the actors – are well-placed to bring a cohesive narrative to life.
How to test your aptitude for sourcing your next job in film
If you are trying to figure out if directing could be for you, then you need too start making decisions and taking action. One of the most important steps is to embrace your passion for storytelling by either sourcing a script or writing your own which you can utilise as a project in your portfolio. As a student, you can lean on your connections within the community alongside an institution’s facilities to make your own film.
Your peers can be your network when starting out in the industry and many students grow their careers together.
Outside of making their own films, many film directors will look for set experience when starting out, perhaps as runners or as assistant crew members so they can get a taste of how a film set runs. It’s also important to network within your local film communities too. Having an array of potential partners and collaborators can help you secure opportunities and also enhance your projects when they come up. Good luck!
STUDY FILM Production at SAE
If you want to work in film production, get to grips with the latest video editing software and hone your skills in a uniquely collaborative environment, then our Film Production degree could be for you.
With high-end digital cinema cameras and production suites, our facilities and expert tutors are well placed to give your career the best possible start in this fast-paced and dynamic industry.
