Today, more than ever, it can be hard to keep up with the newest media trend. A new show, movie, YouTube series, or podcast seems to come out a few times a day. The reason we have so many choices is simple: humans love entertainment. From bread and circuses to movies and popcorn, entertainment is a pivotal part of our lives. All these projects make it the perfect time to get into the media business, and lend a hand in creating the stories cherished by others. What better role is there in the hierarchy than that of Director? These individuals steer pop culture and bring heroes and villains, comedies and tragedies, to life.
Why Direct?
Some may ask why anyone would want to be a director. Directing allows creative folks to work on productions in many media formats and tell stories. These jobs can be stressful, but incredibly rewarding when sharing stories that can shape people’s lives. Directing is also a high paying job with a median salary of $85,000 dollars and a fast growth rate according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you are a creative and love video, stage, stories, or more, directing could be the career for you.
Get your degree
The first step on your journey is to complete a college degree, hopefully here at West Chester University [WCU]. To become a Director, a bachelors in communications or media and culture could prove beneficial. If you pursue media and culture, it is in your best interest to specialize in media production, although all would work. These majors serve as the basis of much of the modern entertainment industry and help to teach new generations the skills and tactics of veteran producers and directors.
An aspiring director must truly know their craft. Although your major should be in communication or media and culture, there are other convenient classes to take advantage of at WCU. Writing classes, for instance, can give you experience crafting your own stories and refining them into future classics. West Chester also offers a variety of film classes, these classes will specifically focus on the cinema, but learning to critically and deeply analyze media will help a director across mediums.
West Chester also provides internship opportunities and many clubs that can help build a resume and portfolio. WCU Studios is one of them, which grants you hands-on experience in media production. Joining such student media organizations can work as a springboard for potential careers.
Get Hands on Experience
After graduation, it’s time to use the skills learned and the resume you built to get a foot in the door in the industry. Though it would be nice to slide straight into the director’s chair, working up the ladder is more likely. Jobs in production can be a great way to start. Acting, editing, operating the camera, even working on special effects can all help your career. Though these jobs may not be what you set out to do, look on the bright side. Learning to act will help you understand acting and actors, a crucial part of directing them for your projects. Working with cameras and cinematographers can help you understand the visual aspects of storytelling and get you familiar with the tech.
According to the Nashville Film Institute, one of the most desirable jobs for an aspiring director is as a production assistant (PA). A PA has various tasks, ensuring your day-to-day life on the job will differ. As a PA, you’ll work all around the set and complete assignments as needed. This job allows you to show off a range of skills, which can help you get noticed by the director! All of these positions will help you learn your way around set. It will also help you build relationships in the industry and give you an understanding of how it all gets put together.
If you wish to avoid the typical Hollywood scene, get involved with low budget or indie films. These projects are, by definition, lower budget, but not necessarily unambitious. This route allows for more creative input and control. Though not easy, it can be easier to become a director of a short film. This can greatly add to your resume and get your name out to a wider audience, both publicly and professionally. Remeber, cult classic movies like Resivior Dogs and The Blair Witch Project began as indie films!
Climbing the Ladder
Now it may finally be time to get a directing position on a big Hollywood production. While highly coveted and competitive, these positions are not impossible to attain. If you have built a good resume, and caught the eye of the right people, you should comfortably slide into the directing chair. Still, it is likely you will start at the bottom rung of the directing ladder. This position is often called an assistant director, either first, second, or third from highest to lowest. The amount of assistant directors depends on the size and budget of a production. According to Studio Binder, as assistant director you will work with your directing team to break down scripts, run the sets, and hire/lead staff. An assistant director will work more closely with department heads, producers, and writers. All of these people are vital to a good production and a good director.
Enjoy your Success
Now, all that’s left is to direct a production. You will have more control than anyone on which projects you do and how they turn out. When you get to the top it may feel like there is little left for you to do, but this is where the real fun part begins. Now show the world the modern classics you can make.
