how would i go about getting into film directing?

Question

Courses to go on?
Any education that would need?

Answer 1

The work

Directors take overall responsibility for the look, sound and style of a production. They can work in film or television drama, documentaries, light entertainment, commercials, news or corporate video. They could direct single or multi-camera operations, and lead a small team or a large cast and crew. Different types of production require particular skills and techniques, but all directors use their creative vision, organisational skills and technical knowledge to bring the production together.

Directors work with a wide range of people during the production process. In pre-production, they are involved in detailed planning and preparation, developing the story, working out the logistics of a shoot, location scouting, casting and rehearsing.

During production, directors are in charge of all aspects of the shoot. They make creative decisions, get the best performances from the cast, and may write or re-write parts of the script as required. On some documentaries, directors might also operate camera or sound equipment.

In post-production, they supervise editing and sound design. Depending on the project, they may also be responsible for marketing and raising finance.


Hours and Environment

Hours can be long and unsocial, depending on shooting deadlines and the demands of the script.

Directors may work in studios, or inside or outside on location. Work may be anywhere in the UK or overseas. This means that working conditions will vary depending on where the production is being filmed.


Skills and Interests
To be a director you should:

be extremely creative, with the ability to visualise how the production will look
have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
be able to make decisions and think clearly under pressure
have excellent planning and organisational skills
be able to lead and motivate people to give their best work
have full knowledge of the entire production process, with respect for other people’s roles
stay calm under pressure
be aware of health and safety issues
be self-motivated and determined.

Entry

There are no standard qualifications for becoming a director, and there are several routes that you could follow. Formal qualifications are available but they do not guarantee work. To be a director you need in-depth practical experience and understanding of the production process, contacts in the industry, lots of determination and a strong creative drive.

University or film school
Many people in the film and TV industry have a degree, and some also have a postgraduate degree. Several universities offer degrees in filmmaking or TV production. However, many directors have degrees in other subjects and have then taken a postgraduate course in directing, or gained experience in the film or TV industry. It can be helpful to take a degree course that includes practical skills and work experience placements, but a media-related degree is not essential if you can gain practical experience and make contacts.
To enter a degree course you will usually need at least five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus two A levels/three Highers or equivalent qualifications. An Access to Higher Education qualification may be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

You could also take an intensive course in directing or filmmaking at a film school. These courses give access to equipment and facilities to create your own short films (‘shorts’), and allow you to build technical knowledge and experience.

Skillset and the British Film Institute jointly provide a database of relevant courses - see Skillset’s website for more details.

Experience
Many directors have several years’ experience in a technical or creative role TV or film, so they have developed technical skills and industry contacts. Directors may have a background in camera work or editing, or they could have been a floor manager or an assistant director. See Skillset’s website for more detailed information on the many job roles in film and television.
Many people begin their film or TV career in an entry-level role as a runner, and progress into other roles as they gain more skills, experience and contacts.

A background in theatre directing can be another possible way in, since drawing out an actor’s best performance is one of a director’s key tasks. Experienced theatre directors or stage managers could become involved in film projects to develop an understanding of the filmmaking process.

Independent film
Some filmmakers follow an independent route and make their own ‘shorts’. They build their reputation by showing their work at film festivals or showcases, entering competitions and making a showreel or disk to show their work to agents. To make a short film, you will often need financial support or access to equipment and actors.
See the Shooting People website for email bulletins about opportunities in the independent film sector. In some areas there may be local opportunities and funding to develop new film shorts. Contact your regional screen agency for information – you can find contact details from the Skillset Careers website or helpline.


Training

Several universities and film schools offer postgraduate courses in directing. Some MA courses specialise in particular types of directing, such as Screen Drama Directing or Film and TV Documentary. Others are more general, with titles like Filmmaking, TV Production or Video.

The Directors’ Guild of Great Britain and some universities, film schools and private training organisations offer short courses and masterclasses for experienced directors. Details of these courses are included in the Skillset/BFI media courses database - see Skillset's website for information.


Opportunities
Directing is a very competitive profession. Some jobs are advertised in the trade press and websites, but it is much more common to get work through networking and contacts.

Most directors are freelance and work on short-term contracts for film or TV production companies. Some major broadcasters may offer longer-term renewable contracts, and occasional new entrant schemes for new directors.

Many film directors initiate their own projects and raise the money to put them into production. Funding for film projects may be available through sources such as regional screen agencies and the UK Film Council.


Annual Income

Freelance rates vary widely and are calculated on a daily or weekly basis. Directors can negotiate their fees depending on their experience, the type of production and the budget available. Expenses such as travel, accommodation and meals will often be included in a negotiated salary package.

Fees can be negotiated individually or from guidelines provided by the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU).

People working on films may agree to work for little or no pay on the understanding that they will share in any profit that the film makes. They should check the exact terms before going ahead with this type of contract or agreement.


Further information


UK Film Council
10 Little Portland Street
London
W1W 7JG
Tel: [phone]
http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk


Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU)
373-377 Clapham Road

London

SW9 9BT

http://www.bectu.org.uk


Directors Guild of Great Britain
The Director Centre
8 Flitcroft Street
London
WC2H 8DL
Tel: [phone]
http://www.dggb.org


Shooting People
http://www.shootingpeople.org


Skillset
Prospect House
80-110 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1HB
http://www.skillset.org


Skillset Careers
Tel: [phone] for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Tel: [phone] for Scotland
http://www.skillset.org/careers

Answer 2

To be honest, its not that hard to become a director. Grab a camera, some actors and film.Boom you are a director. But in all seriousness I highly recommend going to film school. Some people recommend not going especially if you just want to direct however going there will expose you to other careers in the industry as well as show you how to make a film properly. That being said most people who go into film school want to be famous directors. About 90% of my freshman production class wanted to direct and it will hardly happen for any of them. If you want to get into film because you want to be famous or you think its glamorous, than, in my opinion, you are doing it for the wrong reasons. If you are doing it because you live movies and don't mind working 12+ hours a day, on hot sets, and being stressed for long periods of time than by all means, go to a 4 year university with a film program and major in film production. Don't get me wrong, I love film school and working on set can be a blast with a great crew, but its hard work. Good Luck!

Answer 3

The most normal way of doing this is to study media at college/University, then take up an established directing course
(Look at the back of Empire film magazine)

I would also recomend the Guerilla Filmakers Handbook. This is is you want to make your own films of your own back with no training.

You would normally start with part of the production team on films and work your way up. There's lots of hardwork and luck involved. Eventually you may get a small project.

It is one of the hardest jobs you can do. Tight budgets, manangent, editing etc. A bit like being a project manager but more rewarding at the end.

Answer 4

Buy a decent Video camera and make a good short film. Then show it to the BBC Documentary Dept.
Or get a job in TV as a Researcher.
Be patient. it could take you years to get a break.
Forget Film Schools. Waste of time and money.

Answer 5

basically it's what I'm studying now.
you have to get yourself a media course, at a very good university as they are good at giving you both theoretical and hands on experience. within your media degree, you have to do media production (which is what it says) or the equivalent. first year you will have to dabble in all forms of media, but you can specialise as you go along.
then do film studies and then do basic work on your own like script writing. enter as many film festivals as you can so your work gets recognised.
I am also intending to do postgraduate film.
Good luck on that

Answer 6

Get adopted by a film director or a Hollywood name or a celebrity or someone with pots of money and you can do anything and be an expert in everything.

Answer 7

Start with a film and media course and go from there...good luck

Answer 8

luck plays a major part in getting into movies/ tv. colleges are churning out Spielburgs by the truck load and most end up unemployed. be in the right place at the time. Good luck!

Answer 9

British Film School.
Look it up on the web

Answer 10

ive got a degree in broadcasting at my uni you could learn everything you need to know about every element of film making. you need to start making films my biggest advise as a producer is not to go up your own ****.

Answer 11

check out www.aib.ac.uk for a good film course