Film/ TV Director
What is a director?
Directors are the creative leads of the film. They hold the creative vision throughout the whole process, from pre-production through to the final edit.
They are employed by the executive producer or producer, who is ultimately in charge of a production. Directors start with a script, and work with a screenwriter and sometimes a script editing team. It’s not uncommon for the director to be the screenwriter as well.
After filming, they lead the editing of a film, preparing a ‘directors cut’. That cut will be reviewed by producers and financiers before signing off the final cut.
Directors may be employed by TV broadcasters, film or television production companies, or work on a freelance basis.
Taken from screenskills 2023
Qualifications
Although there is no specific entry requirement to become a director- it would be useful to study degree in film production, or a related subject. This provides a way of keeping abreast of new technical developments and industry trends, while developing your craft.
Ideally you need to be gaining experience and skills, whilst networking. Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there are Facebook pages or other social media groups for people making films or TV in your area. There might even be groups for runners and trainees. Join them. Create a ScreenSkills profile. There are a lot of crewing agencies that will charge you to be on their books. Sign up to the free ones initially.
Whatever the route, this is a role that requires extensive knowledge of the film or TV drama production process. It’s worth starting your career by getting work as a runner on set or in a production office before working your way up through entry-level positions.
It is important to showcase your work through a portfolio - see the section below for information on this.
Taken from Screenskills & prospects 2023
Portfolio
A digital portfolio is important to be able to organise and showcase all the work you have been involved in.
For many roles in the screen industries, it's essential to have a portfolio that demonstrates your creativity. A portfolio, or showreel, will help you persuade admissions tutors or employers to take you on.
Showreels are short videos showing a selection of your best clips. Portfolios are collections of your work, either in the form or a website or a physical artist's case. A portfolio website can include a showreel or a showreel can stand alone.
For more information :
https://www.screenskills.com/starting-your-career/building-your-portfolio/
work experience
Organising and seeking out experience in this industry is so important. Working on various forms of media will give you the chance to see how films and tv shows are made and how a production operates.
Aspiring directors often combine work as runners and assistants on projects alongside making their own self-funded or low-budget film projects to develop their directing skills and build their reputation.
Look for job vacancies at:
Creative industries agencies include:
Location filming takes place across the whole of the UK on a regular basis. Film productions often seek the assistance of local film agencies to help them find local crew and locations. Staff at these agencies can help you find paid and voluntary work experience on film productions.
EMPLOYERS
Employers
Directing jobs are rarely advertised. Working as a director is largely dependent on word of mouth and developing a reputation.
Within the film industry directors are usually employed on a freelance, self-employed basis by independent production companies. They can make films for the large and small screen, delivering them to film distributors, sales agents and broadcasters.
Being represented by a talent agent is another route into finding employment as a director. Employers often use agents to find directors. Most agents working in the audio-visual industry are based in London. An agent will promote you to potential employers and negotiate deals on your behalf.
Competition for representation by an agent is fierce and agents will only take on a small number of clients per year. The key to gaining representation relies on building a track record and a body of work that an agent can use to sell you and your talents to potential employers.
Taken from prospects 2023