There are some film industry myths that have taken on a larger-than-life quality. When someone asks how to become a director, they often receive advice that is both inaccurate and conflicting. This leads to confusion and often dissatisfaction with both education options and job opportunities.
The film industry can be a minefield of myths and inaccurate information for new talent! Anyone looking to make their mark by becoming a director needs to be aware of the industry’s most popular myths, what the truth is, and how they can use this information to get where they want to be in their future film careers!
MYTH: YOU DON’T NEED A RESUME OR A PROJECT REEL (A FILM DIRECTOR’S PORTFOLIO) TO GET HIRED
This is 100% FALSE!
While some people who’ve made it big as film directors have done so with little formal training or education, one thing that has always been required to get prime film careers is proof that you can back up your talk with action! A demo reel created while you’re in film school is just the proof you need to show that you’ve got what it takes.
MYTH: HAVING A DEGREE MEANS YOU’RE A SHOE-IN FOR ALL THE BEST FILM CAREERS RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL
This is also false.
A degree or diploma looks outstanding on your resume and shows that you’ve had the training and skill development needed to get started in the industry. But remember, having one doesn’t guarantee you anything; it’s what you do with what you’ve learned that will get you noticed. If you’re curious about how to become a director, a degree program will certainly help you by putting you on the right path. It’s up to you to push yourself to use your new knowledge to your greatest benefit!
MYTH: YOU CAN ONLY BUILD YOUR REEL WITH WORK FROM A STUDIO OR PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS
You guessed it! This is false as well.
The opposite is also untrue; you’re no better off building a reel exclusively from non-professional projects done on your own time. Ideally, your reel would include projects of all kinds and from a variety of sources – as long as they show you at your best, they’re worth considering.
The reality of the film industry is that directors are hired because they can solve a problem someone has – the person, company, etc. needs something directed, and they’re going to choose someone who can get the job done right.
BECOMING A DIRECTOR IS IN YOUR REACH!
Are you Interested in becoming a director in the competitive film industry? Then you will need to know how to make various types of videos, and the best way to learn how to make videos the right way is by attending a film school! This is your first step any number of film careers.
F.I.R.S.T. Institute‘s Orlando film directing school will teach you how to make many different types of videos, including promotional videos, commercials, music videos, and even a short film, to build yours or your client’s brand. Our hands on instructors and small studio settings can’t be found anywhere else! Learn more about the Digital Filmmaking and Video Production program at F.I.R.S.T. Institute today.
