After producing over a dozen films, I decided to add movie directing to my list of experiences. This decision resulted from the timing and unfolding of certain events. I had previously interviewed two directors for the job, but they weren’t a fit. The first director had some ideas that didn’t mesh with the story. The second director said she didn’t feel comfortable directing a dance film. And that got me thinking.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Film Directing Vision
- Prepare for Everything
- Adopt Editor Thinking
- Director Of Photography
- First Assistant Director
- Cast Great Actors
I used to teach ballroom dancing. And with a twenty-year track record of producing and acting in films and working with many directors, I realized I had an inspiring vision for this film. I realized I could see every scene in my mind and how everything would cut together. Once I saw the movie, I had to bring it to life. Here are six lessons I learned directing my first feature film.
Film Directing Vision
You can’t direct unless you have a detailed vision for your film. It would help if you were the captain of the ship. You must have a clear idea for your movie and get everyone to help realize that vision. If you do not have a vision, you will spin your wheels and create a mediocre film at best.
Prepare for Everything
I cannot stress this enough. Prepare for everything. Prep every day. And then prepare until you’re about to roll the camera, and then prep some more. The more you can prepare, the better off you’ll be. At the very least, you will want a shot list, storyboards, location scouts, rehearsals with actors, pre-blocking, and anything you can do to make the shoot smooth.
Adopt Editor Thinking
Through the years, I’ve noticed many new film directors overshoot everything. As a result, most of the footage gets cut from the film. Some directors believe “it’s better to over-shoot than under-shoot,” which is true. But if you think like an editor, it makes the entire production efficient. And efficiency will make the crew, the actors, and the editor much happier and more ready to work.
Director Of Photography
As a director, don’t plan your shots alone. Collaborate with a director of photography. The good ones will share your vision and devote their energy to capturing the perfect shot for every frame of your movie. If you take the time to find a great DP, you will increase the likelihood that the footage will look great. And this frees up time to focus on actor performances and the movie’s overall tone.
First Assistant Director
A great First Assistant Director will move things along and keep the film going. With this in mind, you want to ensure your 1st AD is calming. I’ve seen 1st ADs stress out the director because they are stressing out themselves, which is never fun. The best 1st ADs keep everything moving forward. And in the process, they make the job look easy.
Cast Great Actors
When directing a film, time is money. And every time you have to redo a take, you’re adding more time. If you have great actors, you never have to worry about performances. Any other takes will usually be for different camera angles or slight changes you want to the scene. So great actors also help streamline everything and make the film more efficient! And if you’re ready to produce and direct, check out my film producer course.
