How To Become A Movie Director

Are you looking for a job that is exciting, fun but also rewarding? Do you have great love for movies and have an artistic and creative attitude in visualizing things? Is making movies a desire? Then becoming a movie director may be the right job for you.

How to become a movie director

Becoming a movie director is undeniably exciting, but along with your desire to create movies should be the right skills for the job. You must be confident, determined, and able to work even under pressure as working on film production is not an easy job. Movie directors do not only create a film but also manage every aspect involved from pre-production to post-production.

Because of the tough competition within potential movie directors in the industry, obtaining education and well-rounded experience will help you get a job. Here are the steps on how to become a movie director.

1 Complete a bachelor’s degree a film-related program

There is no specific education path in order to become a movie director. Some directors may have invested much on their education while some succeeded without having such. But considering an immense competition in the film industry, obtaining a degree in film-related courses will be an advantage.

In order to learn important things to become a movie director, take a bachelor’s degree with a major in film studies or other related courses such as communications and fine arts.
A degree program will allow you to get exposed to different areas of filmmaking such as production, acting, cinematography and much more.

2 Consider completing a graduate degree

Completing a master’s degree in film will allow you to advance in your career and develop more skills in directing and managing skills which will help you develop your voice in managing people in different areas of a film production.

Most of the graduate degree programs will require you to complete a portfolio and a short film thesis for you to be granted with your master’s degree.
Hands-on learning experience are also involved that will further your knowledge in the different aspects of filmmaking.

3 Gain experience through internships or training programs

Movie directing is such a competitive job. Most of the successful directors nowadays have started in the industry as actors, writers or production staff in order to gain relevant experiences on the other areas of film production.

While in college, most degree programs will require you to participate in student short film projects that will allow you to apply what you have learned in class.
Another way to gain experience is to apply for an internship or training program as an assistant director or other jobs that needs assistantship. This will not only allow you to develop your skills, but also to know the dos and don'ts in film production, and create contacts with people in the industry that will be a great reference when you start looking for a job.

4 Practice your craft and build-up your professional portfolio

After graduating from your degree program, you may start directing your own film in the form of music videos, short films, commercials, educational films and other promotional programs to add up to your portfolio. This will also allow you to introduce your ideas and create contacts with potential employers.
You can also launch and promote your art-of-work through the internet. Allowing you to have a wider area to promote and exhibit your skills in directing.
Given the sufficient funds, you can also start directing your own independent film or television program. You will have to invest on equipment to be needed or ask someone who has one. Create your own film and submit it to film festivals for you to get recognized and hope to be discovered.

5 Consider moving to entertainment-known areas and apply for a job

Moving into entertainment areas such as New York, Los Angeles or Hollywood will be a great move as you will be closer to the action and to the elite people in the film industry. You will also get the chance to showcase your portfolio and find an employer.
Before taking a leap into a film school or completing a degree in film studies, you may also consider relocating to these areas and find great film schools, which will be preferable to potential employers.
Submit resumes and a sample of your work to contacts that you have made within the industry which can include producers, actors and directors. Constant networking will give you the opportunity to be recognized and lead to better opportunities.

6 Join film-related professional organizations

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) is an organization that represents film and television directors in the United States. Joining organizations like this will allow you to make more contacts within the industry that will eventually help you get a movie-directing job.

7 Consider advancing in your career

Because of a highly-competitive job, consider taking an assistant director training program that is offered by the DGA. This will allow you to get hands-on training on actual film sets and become a legitimate member of the organization, which will be helpful for you to get a job as an assistant director and eventually introduce you to a movie-directing job.

The film industry has become one of the most successful industries in the world of entertainment. When aspiring to become a movie director, be creative and persistent as competition is tight. Make sure to advance in your career whatever it takes to have better opportunities ahead of you. Continue learning new trends in film making and directing as this will help you to learn what are the in’s and out’s in the current industry.

The list above should help you on your path of learning how to become a movie director. The best thing to do is study and work hard.