FILM EDUCATION

Directing Fundamentals. Without a strong vision behind a story, a film will lose its focus. A film director needs to have an understanding of how each department contributes to the making of a film and how to best utilize the talents of all team members. The following 100 LEVEL blogs cover the role and responsibilities of a director in script development, pre-production, production, and post production. Read along to learn how to tell a story cinematically, use the camera as a tool, prepare a script analysis and engage in the casting and rehearsal process with actors.

July 28, 2024

Film Directing 126: The Director's Playbook

July 28, 2024/ john pozer

Directors need a strong idea for what they’re looking for in every scene

After all the planning, preparation, meetings, auditions, rehearsals, location scouts, etc. – the first day of principle photography is what all the work has been about.

Your script analysis, thumbnail frames, shotlist, schematics, and meetings with your creative keys have helped build the plan for the production.

Pre-thinking performance notes and details are a vital part of the playbook.

June 25, 2024

Film Directing 124: The Director's Tech Survey

June 25, 2024/ john pozer

Let's get this show on the road!

The tech survey is where the rubber hits the road for the directing team: laying out the production plans, the schedule, the start and stop times — basically, everything that’s going to happen for each day of shooting at each set.

The more details and precision, the better. Thoroughness and clarity are key.

Make the most of your tech survey. It sets the tone for your shoot.

April 29, 2024

Film Directing 116: The Director's Assistant Director

April 29, 2024/ john pozer

Treat your Assistant Director like Gold

The first assistant director and their team is the engine that keeps your production running. Treat them like gold. They are worth it!

Your best chance at getting good performances from your actors and having an organized shoot that runs smoothy – on time and on budget – is to have an informed assistant director. Planning and managing all the moving parts of a film production and having everything in the right place at the right time is like a paramilitary operation.

Your show will only be as good as the teamwork and communication between you and your first assistant director. They are your most precious partner – because they make your creative plans come to life.

April 15, 2024

Film Directing 112: The Director's Frame

April 15, 2024/ john pozer

Good films need intentional frames

An engaged audience reacts to the director’s choices in every frame. Focus, light, movement, composition, and shot content are factors for every director to consider when constructing a frame.

Ideas for frames grow and multiply through your director’s prep. The writer, John Steinbeck, said it best — 'Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.'

April 05, 2024

Film Directing 108: Thumbnails for the beginning director

April 05, 2024/ john pozer

Thumbnails lead to better films

‘Thumbnail’ is the term for a simple storyboard frame. It’s a small, quick sketch that shouldn’t take longer than 10 or 15 seconds to create. Thumbnails are an important part of the director’s visual planning process.

Thumbnails illustrate the size of the shot and the character position in the frame. This helps the different departments understand the director's goal for the camera set-up.

April 04, 2024

Film Directing 107: Introduction to Shotlists

April 04, 2024/ john pozer

Shotlists help you plan your film

As the production moves from pre-production into principle photography, the shotlist is tremendously helpful. It shapes the schedule, clarifies the equipment that is needed, and many other important details that contribute to managing a smooth-running show.

Every director has their own process for pre-visualizing their story, but creating a written plan helps build confidence in the decision-making that happens on set.