Tips for aspiring director?

[directorik]

As I said in an earlier post; we all find out own path. Sure, when
I was just starting (at age 14) I did everything. But my first
“serious” film (at age 16) I decided to work with others. Older
than me, more experienced. And I learned a lot.

I still do not fully understand audio but I can communicate with
the audio team because I listen to them. Never took a class, never
even tried to work in that department seriously. But I listen to them.

Everything I learned about cinematography I learned from working
with (and listening to) DP’s, AC’s, gaffers and operators.

Anyway, take those classes. I agree with Alcove; you want to direct
learn directing and editing.

 

[Musicdudez]

Alright, thanks for the input. The reason I asked is because I can't afford all of the courses so I really wanted to know which were the most crucial. Thanks.

 

[sfoster]

Alright, thanks for the input. The reason I asked is because I can't afford all of the courses so I really wanted to know which were the most crucial. Thanks.

don't forget about acting!!!!!
a director needs some kind of understand about acting if you want to avoid stilted performances

 

[Musicdudez]

don't forget about acting!!!!!
a director needs some kind of understand about acting if you want to avoid stilted performances

Well see, I can't act and I've always disliked the idea of acting myself. (Even if I find other people acting very fascinating and interesting) I'd welcome the idea of trying different methods in order to understand acting but doing it in a course is something I don't think I can handle that well. I get nervous and I have no confidence at all, it's just something I wouldn't do.

 

[sfoster]

Well see, I can't act and I've always disliked the idea of acting myself. (Even if I find other people acting very fascinating and interesting) I'd welcome the idea of trying different methods in order to understand acting but doing it in a course is something I don't think I can handle that well. I get nervous and I have no confidence at all, it's just something I wouldn't do.

I'm not a great actor either, I get too anxious and I can't forget about the fact that there is a camera right there in my face.

Even if you're not great at it though you need to understand acting as a process and how to direct actors effectively.

 

[Zensteve]

Well see, I can't act and I've always disliked the idea of acting myself. (Even if I find other people acting very fascinating and interesting) I'd welcome the idea of trying different methods in order to understand acting but doing it in a course is something I don't think I can handle that well. I get nervous and I have no confidence at all, it's just something I wouldn't do.

If you aren't interested in "acting for directors" classes, at the very least take some public speaking classes. Those will be handy for almost every life situation in general.

Good luck.

.

 

[jmoschner]

You may want to look at taking buisness and management classes. The skills are useful in many professions and most of directing is managing people and other resources.

 

[Asker]

don't forget about acting!!!!!
a director needs some kind of understand about acting if you want to avoid stilted performances

There is a thread about this very subject on the directing forums:

http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=48385

My two cents is that it is not necessary, but would be a bonus to most directors. There are many famous directors who never acted in their life.

 

[Alcove Audio]

You don't need to take acting classes, but a seminar or three can be a help. i took several one day acting seminars and they made me a better dialog editor, and definitely made my life easier when doing ADR sessions.

 

[sfoster]

You don't need to take acting classes, but a seminar or three can be a help. i took several one day acting seminars and they made me a better dialog editor, and definitely made my life easier when doing ADR sessions.

Yes agreed you don't need to act to direct, you just need to understand acting as a process. There is a book Directing Actors by judith weston that I really enjoyed. (The first half anyway )