Film Directing 114: The Director's Creative Partnerships

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Film Directing 114: The Director's Creative Partnerships

Synergy is the goal

Bringing a film to life – and making it good – relies heavily on the script and the director. But the director is not working alone. There are many creative partners who align with the director, and two are of critical importance in pre-production and principle photography – the director of photographer and the production designer.

Working alongside the director, these two creative keys are responsible for crafting the visual images.

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Film Directing 113: The Director's Focus

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Film Directing 113: The Director's Focus

The mind of your audience is the main concern

As a film director, the focus in your shot is either something that you want and can use, or it’s something that you don’t want and can’t use.

Be happy with your shots and takes. Make them the best they can be. Once you’re in post-production, focus issues cannot be resolved.

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Film Directing 111: The Director's Camera Angle

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Film Directing 111: The Director's Camera Angle

Angles tell the story

Camera angles have conventions and implicit meanings that have been understood by viewers from the early days of moving pictures.

Directors need to know the impact of their decisions when they set up a shot. And they need to understand what their audience will understand from their camera angle choice.

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Film Directing 110: The Director's Camera

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Film Directing 110: The Director's Camera

The most powerful storytelling tool is the camera

Creating strong images that are carefully designed with intentional storytelling details is the director’s job. The power and effectiveness of the storytelling lies in the director’s camera choices.

The beginning director must have an understanding of how camera placement and movement can convey the narrative purpose of a shot or a scene.

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Film Directing 109: The Director's Eye

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Film Directing 109: The Director's Eye

Develop an eye for visual possibilities

We know that filmmaking is a collaborative art and that the cast and crew work together to support the best possible storytelling. However, the director is ultimately responsible for building a strong, cinematic story.

Developing your eye as a film director is an ongoing process of understanding, observation, and patience. Every day and every film is full of opportunities to learn.

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Film Directing 101: The Language of Film

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Film Directing 101: The Language of Film

The director must know how to communicate

Like any profession, there are specific words, terms, and references that you need to know in order to effectively communicate in the day-to-day activities of a working film director.

This is an expansive area and your knowledge will grow and evolve as you read screenplays, study films, and make films. Like learning any new language, becoming fluent takes time.

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Film Directing 100: LEVEL 100 Introduction

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Film Directing 100: LEVEL 100 Introduction

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 the director’s prep, pre-production, and 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.

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