A director manages all creative aspects of a film by participating in every phase of movie production and, consequently, has a huge impact on the outcome of the film. By visualizing the end product, directors must guide the actors, technicians, and different departments in making the film happen. They are responsible for both the dramatic and artistic aspects of a film.
Directors are involved in all stages of film making; movie production can be divided into 4 phases: development, pre-production, production, and post-production.
Education and Qualifications
Though a degree is not a must, it does help to study the basics of film making; so, a bachelor’s degree in film or related fields is recommended. There are also master’s degrees available, but they are not make-or-break for a director’s career as his/her creativity and ability to tell a story will ultimately be the deciding factor. In this way, film is a very meritocratic industry.
Experience plays a major role in becoming a good director; though not required, it is recommended to work with other film directors in junior/assistant roles prior to becoming a director yourself.
Responsibilities
Development:
- If the director has written the script, they are involved in this phase; if not, they review and tweak the script during this phase.
Pre-production:
- Creating a master plan for the project
- Tweaking the script if needed
- Communicating their vision to other department heads
- Breaking down the script and budget by working with the producer
- Finding talent by watching auditions and working with casting directors
- Shortlisting the locations for filming
Production:
- Working with various departments to oversee all production aspects
- Directing actors and the camera crew
- Reviewing and signing off on the takes
- Shooting and re-shooting all the takes until satisfactory quality is achieved.
Post-production:
- Working with editors to put the pieces together to get the final version of the film
- Working with the music/sound team
Delivering the film within the budget and schedule
A Day in the Life
Film directors do not have a fixed timetable or a ‘day job’; they usually work very long hours, 10-12 hours minimum per day, and work often spills over into late evenings or weekends. As filming for one film can happen at many different locations, directors should be prepared to travel within or outside the country.
Other Necessary Skills
- Creativity
- Initiative and problem-solving skills
- Communication skills
- Motivational and leadership skills
- Ability to stick to budgets and timelines
- Attention to detail
- Networking
Career Progression
There is no defined career ladder for film directors. Some study ‘film’ and take a path like the following one:
- Internship Â
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Technician Â
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Visual effects editor
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Visual effects director
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 Film director
Others work in TV or as a technician, crew member, or writer in film production.
Still others have made short films, worked in theater, or produced and directed their own film.
Salary
The median salary is about $80K per year. However, there is a huge range of potential salaries.
Job Growth
Number of jobs (current): 131K as of 2020
Job outlook: 24% (much faster than many other careers)
New jobs: About 32K by 2030
Summary
If you are very creative and a gifted storyteller and you’re thinking about film directing, take a step back to analyze whether this is the right choice for you. If you love watching movies and frequently notice things you would have done differently if you had been directing the film you’re watching, that may not fully qualify you to become a director. In addition to the passion/drive to direct film and being a good critic of films, if you possess the following traits, you may want to go for the big dream of becoming a director:
- You are a great planner and pay attention to even tiniest details
- You are very creative, inspiring, and adept at interpersonal relations.
- You understand human behavior well and can put yourself in the shoes of others (empathy).
- You are a great storyteller.
- You have the drive and ability to sustain and persevere through big, lengthy undertakings.
- You are emotionally strong and can handle rejection, losses, etc.
- You have the ability to handle/oversee various areas of film making – from screenplay to editing.
- You are willing to invest long hours to make your dream come true.
