Director - Film And TV

A film or TV director creates the whole visual and sound effect of a film production.

The Work

You could be:

• developing a creative vision of how the film or programme will look when finished


• selecting and hiring the cast and crew


• deciding about design and location


• planning the whole film in detail from the start, within the financial limits


• planning out the schedule within the time limits


• controlling the film set, telling all the actors, camera crew, technicians and designers what to do


• in a small company producing and directing the film


• selecting shots and supervising the editing of the final version.

Conditions

• You often travel, sometimes abroad, and stay away from home.


• You work both indoors and out.


• You work long and irregular hours, including weekends.


• Deadlines and budgets are usually tight.

Getting In

• Most directors have a degree but you also need production experience.


• Wide experience of the film industry is more important than educational qualifications.


• Most directors start as runners or even production assistants (see Runner or Production Assistant). Some start as actors. Others begin by making short independent films called 'shorts'.


• Entry is very competitive. The most common way is through making contacts in the business.


• Film magazines and websites advertise a few job vacancies.

What Does It Take?

You need:

• creativity and vision


• assertiveness


• good organisation


• enthusiasm and drive


• decisiveness and good judgement


• the ability to give and accept criticism


• ability to keep calm under pressure and meet deadlines


• health and safety awareness


• financial sense.

Training

• Training is on-the-job but some employers offer training courses.


• The British Film Institute has a directory of media courses and multimedia courses in the education section of the website.
  
• BBC Training and Development have several courses on their site which may be relevant.


• The National Film and Television School website lists courses which may be relevant.

Getting On

• Most directors are freelance and work on short-term contracts for cable and satellite broadcasters, or for independent TV and film production companies.


• Some start up their own projects and get funding for them through Scottish Screen or other film agencies.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

The Network scheme which is part of the Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival provides opportunities for those genuinely interested in a television career to gain experience in front of and behind the camera and to make useful contacts.

Look on the MGEITF website (see Addresses) for information on their 2010 programme.

Each year The Co-operative gives young people aged 19 and under the chance to have their short films shown on the big screen at The Co-operative Film Festival, which this year takes place at the National Media Museum in Bradford on 7-8 October 2010. The entry deadline is 28 May 2010.

For more information log on to http://www.co-operative.coop/filmfestival/.

Also look out for:

First Light - an initiative to help young people to realise their potential by getting involved in digital film and media projects. They fund and inspire film projects with five to 19-year-olds throughout the UK. Log on at http://www.firstlightonline.co.uk/.

And, watch out for local opportunities to take part in film competitions and workshops - like the Edinburgh Schools Film Competition, which was launched in December 2009 or the Glasgow Youth Film Festival, which takes place from 7-15 February 2010. You could enter their Chew TV One Minute Movie competition, which is open to 14-19 year-olds. Log on to their websites for more information.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.