A director is the principal creative artist on a movie set holding responsibility for the creative vision and the overall style of a film. He makes decisions on almost every aspect of the making of a film and his main duties include casting, script editing, shot-selection, shot composition, and editing. Directors are responsible for overseeing every creative aspect of a film. They develop a vision for the film and are required to look very carefully at the flow as well as the content of the plot, closely watching on the actors' performance, both by giving them definite positions and by eliciting the necessary range of emotions. They are the ones responsible for approving camera angles, lens effects, lighting and set designs. The non-artistic or practical aspects of film production like finance and marketing are left to the producer but the director has to keep in mind the limits of the budget and schedule of the film.
Direction requires exceptional artistic vision and creative skills to develop an interesting and original film. A director has to have great communication and interpersonal skills to work with a big team. He has to be committed and passionate about his work to complete what the team has envisioned. He has to be a good leader and a quick decision maker as well as a good manager to efficiently delegate the not so important tasks to others. The director has to act as a storyteller and has to creatively translate the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen.
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Directors should be able to inspire and motivate the entire crew as they act as a crucial link between the production, technical and creative teams. They require an understanding of both creative as well as technical aspects of films because they are involved in everything from costume selection to camera angles.
A film goes through various stages during its production. The various stages of film making that require a director's instructions are:
1. Pre Production: During this stage a director works on the script of the film. He may write the script himself or get it written by a script writer. He is also required to make crucial decisions such as selection of the right cast, crew and locations for the film during the pre production.
2. Production: While the film is being produced the director directs the rehearsals and the performance of the actors and also manages the technical aspects like the camera, lighting, sound, special effects and design.
3. Post Production: During Post production the directors work closely with the editors through the many technical processes of editing and reach the final version of the film.
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Directors make their living by either freelancing or by joining or forming a production company. The latter is usually a preferred option because it provides more stability as compared to freelancing that requires moving from one production to another being hired by various producers and production companies.
Directors need to study areas of history, language, performing arts, and visual arts. Many directors have attended film school but one would learn more in one day of professional shoot than the entire time at film school and to some extent this is true. Thus the best option that can be taken either with or without film school experience is to get into the industry from some other position such as a production assistant or an apprentice or a camera assistant to the director of photography or even an editor.
The reality is that it is quite difficult to become a director - no matter which route one may take. It requires great deal of luck as well as talent. If you want to be a film director always keep in mind that the journey is long, hard and often lonely.
