How To Become a Movie Director

While many dream of becoming the next Steven Spielberg, very few are able to realize that dream. That’s because the work involved in becoming a movie director can be grueling, the competition fierce, and the financial burden terribly stressful. As a movie director, you will manage the entirety of a film production, from the acting auditions to the production design to the motion picture score, sound, and editing. Though daunting, the end result can be deeply satisfying as your vision becomes a reality on the big screen.

For those serious about becoming movie directors, the following must be considered:

EDUCATION
Most movie directors go to school. It can be a specialized film school such as the American Film Institute, a public school with a film program such as the University of California, or independent seminars offered by a variety of sanctioned institutions. Regardless of the type of education you pursue, it’s important to learn the history, the fundamentals, and the techniques used by filmmakers today.

Additionally, through the process of acquiring your education in film you can land an internship, work as an assistant on a local movie set, network and build contacts with other students, and study other disciplines such as acting, writing, and cinematography, all of which will make you a better director in the long run.

EXPERIENCE
During and after your education, it’s important to gain as much experience as possible and begin building a portfolio. This may come in the form of student films, stage plays, stage plays, commercials, or documentaries. Think small and utilize new media to distribute your work. Submit finished films to festivals or enter contests to get additional exposure.

The key is diversification, exposure, and building a wide variety of experiences and contacts to land bigger and better jobs.

ENVIRONMENT
It's important to immerse yourself in a film-friendly environment. That means relocating to a place where film production is frequent and accessible. Los Angeles and New York are where the majority of motion pictures and television shows are produced; however, through various tax breaks, states are enticing film production to locales as diverse as New Mexico, Michigan, and Louisiana. Even Vancouver, B.C. has become a mainstay for movie production in recent years.

Truth be told, becoming a movie director is no easy task. It takes lots of talent, hard work, and determination. In addition, one must focus on education, build invaluable experience and connections and, eventually, live in an environment where filmmaking is prevalent. Only then can one truly realize the dream of becoming a motion picture director.