What Does It Take To Be A Movie Director?

Maybe you’ve always wanted to make movies. Maybe you’re just now realizing it’s the thing you want to do. This page is for you. First off, this is both a bad and good time take the plunge into filmmaking. Anyone can do this, but you’ve gotta “pull up your boot straps” and get ready for what’s required.

A COUPLE IMPORTANT ITEMS

I was already an adult working for an IBM Business Partner when I decided to pursue film. Going to the theater was my life. I watched THE MATRIX 18 times—couldn’t get enough. Favorite talking topic was films. Then one day while eating lunch in my office, the thought literally fell out of the sky: “I should go to film school.”

It took a couple years, but soon I was all packed up in my 1992 Honda Accord and moving to LA. It was literally the coolest moment in my life—I was going to be a movie director! But I didn’t know what was coming. Looking back, there’s a couple things I stress to those who want to take the leap:

1. FILM SCHOOL WILL NOT GET YOU A DIRECTING JOB

I’ll never forget a moment early on in film school. The dean asked my class, “Who wants to direct?” Hands went up all over the room. Everybody want to direct movies! But the crazy thing? Hollywood doesn’t give a rip about your film school education. They don’t care about that thesis film your teachers raved about. It all means NOTHING.

Call The Studios

If you’re thinking, “Yeah, right man. Whatever.” I totally get the sentiment. My only challenge? Put this to the test. Call as many studios as you want, and pretend (momentarily) that you’ve already graduated from your film school of choice. See if this gets you anywhere beyond the receptionist.

Nothing Awaits After Graduation

It’s sobering to graduate from school, hit the streets of LA and realize there’s nothing waiting for you. I’ll never forget going to a sushi restaurant in Malibu a few years after film school only to see a directing major working at the restaurant. This guy was one of the best students in my school! And years after graduation he was serving sushi.

So what the heck? What does it freaking take to become a movie director?

The Tough Pill To Swallow

Why is the red and blue pill scene so great in The Matrix? Because it’s freaking real life. It’s real life for those of us about to gamble the rest of our lives on a dream.

To be a director after graduation you have to literally start making your own movies and YOU have to fund them—that’s the red pill you’ve gotta swallow. Nobody is going to hire you until you master the craft and prove yourself. If you nuke your savings on film school you’re toast. It will cost you years and you’ll be serving sushi instead of directing. So what’s the answer to learning the craft?

We’ll get to that in just a second. There’s something else:

2. DO NOT RELY ON TECHNICAL PEOPLE

Another huge concept for those who want to direct movies is this: The days of “just being a director” are long gone—if they ever truly existed to begin with. To stand even a chance of moving your career forward as a film director you must know how to do everything.

Why? Because film crew need to eat and pay rent just like you do. They can’t afford to work for free. Yes, you can pull favors. But when your gaffer lands a paid gig and you can’t afford their day rate, they have to bail. And if you don’t know how to light a set, you’re stuck.

Trust me, this is NOT the way forward. Gaffing is just one of tasks. You’ve got sound, production design, camera operation, editing, sound design…the list is long. The only way forward is to know how to do this stuff yourself. Not a master of each area, but you’ve gotta know enough to keep your production operational.

On my last film, there were many times I was doing EVERYTHING on set. Down to being the grip. But guess what? The movie got done with a very small budget.

HOW DO YOU LEARN FILMMAKING?

One of the best ways forward for aspiring movie directors is Write & Direct. Our school is designed to address the entire problem. The training is designed specifically for directors and it teaches what you need to know about making movies from development through post production.

During the training you will write your own script (development) and step it through pre-production, production and post. The school is self-paced, detailed and supported by a private online community. You will learn the craft and be prepared to continue making movies!

Find out more here. You can also contact us with any and all questions!

Whatever you do, don’t let go of your dreams to become a filmmaker.