How to Become a Film Director - What You Need to Know

Film directors dream of getting their big break at the major movie shows. They will work many long hours and put in many long hours, but at the end of the day they will be rewarded with big movies starring in or producing, which will bring in the awards and profits. How to become a film director is not as difficult as many people make it out to be. A person needs a desire, creativity and guts to see their vision come to life on the big screen.

If you have all three of these traits then you are well on your way to becoming a director. You need a passion for what you do and if you are a great writer, you will also be able to write movingly and accurately about the subject matter you are working on. Once you have made a short film, you can submit it to YouTube and other video sharing websites, and before you know it you will be receiving movie offers.

You must be self-assured and confident in your skills and abilities as a director. As a filmmaker, your every decision is going to affect your production and the people that you will employ on the project. You must be able to trust yourself and not be afraid to take some risks. If you plan on making a short film at home, you will have to find a local filming location and purchase props and equipment from an amateur store, which can be a real learning experience. Your hands-on experience working with equipment and locations will be priceless when you start submitting your short films to YouTube and other video sharing websites.

If you want to learn how to become a director in the shortest time possible, attending a formal education is probably your best bet. A formal education will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to create great movies and it will also give you an opportunity to make connections within the industry. By attending a formal education, you will also be able to secure internships while you are in school. Most film schools will require that you submit a completed application to attend. The majority of these internships are actually unpaid and you can learn everything you need to know about filmmaking through them. Once you finish your internship, you will usually be able to submit your film application for a fulltime enrollment.

Every reputable film school will require that you submit a film degree or certificate to enroll. These degrees are extremely respected and will allow you to easily land one of the positions available at any of the studios throughout the country. This degree program is also highly recommended for young filmmakers who do not yet have a complete portfolio or a polished filmography. Most important, you will be provided with hands-on experience from the best professionals in the field. This will give you a true sense of what is expected of you as a filmmaker and it will give you the confidence you need to approach anyone in the industry.

It is also imperative that you consider the aspect of the story when you are thinking about how to become a film director. If you are more of a writer than a filmmaker, then you will most likely be given the task of coming up with the story concepts for the movie. As a screenwriter, you are not just told what to do, you have complete control over the entire process from the concept to the final draft. This means that your work as a screenwriter is essential if you want to learn how to become a film director. You should also take classes such as writing about the making of a film, working with actors and directors, and learning how to market your script. Film school will teach you how to write the movies that you want to make, but if you lack the experience, the only real way to learn is by working with a mentor.