Directing is not that easy.

[ScriptedEyes]

Many people think you can just pick up a camera and go. ERRRR WRONG!. It's not as easy as it sounds. You have to tell your actors what to do. If there is a scene that is impossible to make you have to work with it and try to make it fit. You have to make sure you find the right composer who can create the music to fit the scene. You have to basically run the show. Which is why I write and direct it is a whole lot simpiler but over time it gets boring.

[armagecko]

Directing is a whole lot easier if you assemble a good team. In fact, movie-making is all about teamwork. People who have never participated in team sports or team projects (not that you are one of them, SE) usually have a problem with movie-making because they don't understand how to be a part of that team. (That's a great thing about message boards like this: they allow others to become part of your long-distance team.) Even then, you are correct, directing is not that easy.

[ScriptedEyes]

See,I don't have a full team of people. People around here just don't want to do something like this. I have to rely on friends (about 4 people) to act,be the camera operator,and be the grips. I was on a very low budget movie set once. The movie was called "The Waking" the movie plot was good that is all I can really say that was good about the film. It gave me a better view at films. So you are right about the teamwork. You do need a team....but everyonce in a while that still doesn't help.lol

[HailtotheKing]

Snake I know how you feel. I live in a little old town in Missouri and that's the worst place to try to find "actors" to help you. So I rely on my friends. Although I have been contacting some actors and such to help with future projects. My friends WANT to help though and that makes it so much easier. Sure you got to give them a speech sometimes about why they are helping a manic like myself, but they always come back for the next production.

Directing is fun at times and hard at other times. Again it goes back to the team you have, and how flexable your actors are. Working with a new actor, going to have to coach them all the way through. Working with an actor you have worked with on other projects, they know you and you know them. Makes it alot easier. Then directing is fun. You get to torment your cast sometimes and pull pranks on people. The director is also the "lead of the pack," so you always have to be ready with a answer that someone is going to throw your way.

Just my 2 dead cents.....

[SightsUnseen]

You location in the US in but a portion of your directing problems...LOL

I'm in California's Central Valley and there are loads of acting talent ready to go...but never enough crew.

Crew is harder to find due to the "behind the camera" status that they get, credits just don't tickle anyone's heartstrings...everyone wants to be on the poster ya know.

Paperwork and legal forms: Don't get me started.

Feed your people: Watch out for the picky eaters.

Biting off more than you can chew...believe me, it's hard to be stuck in preproduction when you just want to get out there and start filming.

Directing "Hunting Ground" has been a pleasure, a chore, a pride, and a debt thus far...but I wouldn't give it up for the world.

Director/FX Technician
Sights Unseen
www.sightsunseencentral.com

[B-independent.com]

Roger Corman and Steven Soderburgh (sp) both claim to be able to teach anyone how to direct in under 10 minutes.

[sightsunseen]

That was helpful. LOL

10 minutes eh?
Must be to "drink heavily" because you can't
learn how to make a decent margarita in 10 minutes.

LOL

[mrmyers]

Does ne-one have directing tips for a 17 year old ,1st independent film, with VERY lo budget? Thanks

Joey

[DAD]

mrmyers
Directing is a very personal thing and everyone that does it develops their own methods. Some of the basics is being able to convay to actors and crew what your vision is on how you want a scene to play and how you see the film as a whole. Many directors like to do this for the tech side by drawing storyboards to show camera angle, character placement within the frame, possible lighting ideas and character/camera movement. With the characters, some directors like to let the actors find their place with what they think the characters motivations are and work with them from the point of view. Other directors take a more active role and will play out the parts for the actors trying to give them a feel of what the director feels the characters motivation is. There is no right or wrong way to do it. The directors job is like playing god in creating a world that will exist for 90 minutes to 2 hours (sometimes more) and hopefully convay an idea that is interesting and a story that makes sense. Probably the most important ability a director must have is communication and the ability to be clear about what he sees in his mind. It is that way only that he will be able to coordinate the efforts of the cast and crew to realize his vision.

Hope this helps.
David

[mrmyers]

Thanks DAD u r a very wise man. i know 4 sure i will be very hands on with my project, and will be acting out many scenes.


Joey

[DAD]

Also, Joey, on a low budget production the key word is PLANNING! Have as details a plan as possible going into the shoot. Have a script break down that orginizes the scenes by location and characters so that when you are done with a location ... YOU ARE DONE WITH THAT LOCATION! Going back to reshoot because something was missed is death to continuity. Have a good script supervisor ... they're notes wiil be invaluable when it is time to edit.

Be sure to have round table script readings with the characters. These are usually just a flat delivery type reading that allows you to look for character ideas and allows the actors to get a feel for the script as it is being read in a group arena.

Always plan to shoot simple scenes first and work your way into the more difficult ones. This allows the actors a chance to get a feel for the film before they really have to put on their faces for the tough and emotional scenes.

Trust everyone and listen to their suggestions. Just because you listen doesn't mean you have to use them but it makes for a friendly set and people feel more a part of the creative process. And who knows, you never know where your next great idea may come from.

David

[sightsunseen]

Directing a film is not too unlike raising a child.

So much goes into it and yet, so much can happen
along the way.

Best advice...
plan for the best, expect the worst...
And DO NOT GIVE UP.

The last part is the most important.
You will probably make more than a few films that you'll
later hide in your closet but chalk it up to experience.
You won't get any experience if you surrender to the
many things that can and will go wrong throughout
the process.

Hang in there.

[mandor700]

Yea sure directing is difficult, but thats part of what makes it so fun isin't it?
I know thats what it is for me. Seeing the finished film that you have put so much work into is the best feeling.

[mikeysbistro]

armagecko said:

People who have never participated in team sports ... usually have a problem with movie-making because they don't understand how to be a part of that team.

I like that, directing is like a team sport.

Sometimes it's more like soccer or basketball where there's a constant flow of action and everbody has to work together in the moment as a team.

And sometimes it's like baseball or football, where you're constantly having to start and stop the game for the next move.

And then there's those times where you think your playing soccer, but your actors are busy playing baseball, and your crew is bowling ...

[sightsunseen]

Sports is a good analogy.

The team must act as a team...
but you'll be the coach.

Know when to say, "No" and when to say, "Yes".

Get to know your crew...
learn who does what best and make sure to use this for the benefit of the team.
Keep it fun.

Lead by example...
nobody's going to put out 100% for a guy who isn't,
nobody's going to be happy on the set for a grumpy bastard who's never satisfied, tell em when they're doing well, smile even when it hurts to do so.