You’re watching a movie, and you feel the urge to do something differently on screen. Maybe it’s changing the lighting, the music, or the angle of the camera during an awesome, dramatic moment. Whatever the reason, you know that you want to get your hands dirty and create the ultimate movie experience!
So, what’s holding you back from becoming a director that Hollywood is waiting for?
It’s no secret that the film industry is a tough one to break into. It can take years to make a name for yourself in the scene, and that’s IF you’ve got the drive and determination to go the distance, even when the outcome doesn’t look so bright.
If you’ve got the ability to take a raw script, or even a scene in need of a makeover, and turn it into something amazing, you should dedicate your time to becoming a director!
HOW TO BECOME A DIRECTOR: GETTING YOUR CAREER OFF TO THE RIGHT START
Here are a few things you can do to ensure that you’re putting your best foot forward while learning how to become a director:
- Watch plenty of movies – It might seem a little simplistic, but it’s one of the best ways to get inspired and to learn from the triumphs and mistakes of other directors. Athletes will watch footage of themselves and their opponents for hours before they ever play against them, or sometimes even if they’ll never see them face to face, just for the value that comes from the learning experience. Aspiring directors should do the same thing and take advantage of the films available to them.
- Make your own movies – Don’t worry about the quality of your camera, or the software suite used to edit the raw footage you capture while you’re still learning. What matters is whether or not your audience can feel your passion, and see your vision at work. Making your own movies will help you develop the skills you need as you mature and learn more about the film industry and its processes.
- Get out of your chair – Being a good director means knowing how to direct people because you’ve been in their positions yourself. So be an actor in a film, be a writer for a scene, build a set, set the lighting, handle the sound production for your next take. You can’t be an effective director unless you know how these major aspects of production really work.
- Work on someone else’s production crew – This goes beyond the previous item; don’t just try something once on a set that you still ultimately have control over. Get out and put yourself at the discretion of someone else entirely, and experience what it means to act out and produce someone else’s vision firsthand.
- Attend a few classes – Whether you choose to go to film school to learn how to become a director, or you decide to pick up a few classes or training courses online through a local college, make an effort to educate yourself about the fundamentals of becoming a director as well as any new tips, tricks, and techniques that are already in use by film industry professionals.
- Network, network, network – Always be aware that the people you’re around now might know somebody, who knows somebody, who could be the person who helps you big break. The more people you know (and make a good impression on) the more opportunities you’ll have to build contacts within the film industry and create a support network of people who can be there for you all throughout your career.
You have a dream, and now you have a few tips that can help you learn how to become a director. Take what you know, and combine it with your goals for your future in film!
BECOMING A DIRECTOR IS IN YOUR REACH!
Interested 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 accredited 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 Filmmaking and Video Production program at F.I.R.S.T. Institute today.