Directors and producers need one another, but they are opposite jobs requiring very different skill sets. This is also why producing and directing by one person is often not a good idea.
At #Shorts2features, we know the millions of roles and skills a producer needs. But what do producers need from a Director?
📚 A. Passionate about good writing
I have worked with only a few directors who are not comfortable with writing. But a director can develop their screenplay without physically writing it.
Do they recognise a good script? Can they understand and develop it? Can they take notes and act on them reasonably quickly? Do they understand subtext? Are they good at dialogue?
✅ Test: Ask your director for a sample of their writing or a script representing him/her.
☯️ B. A unique, original passionate voice yet they can collaborate.
Directors need to see things their way. You want someone different, with a vision of what they want to say. Ideally, what they are passionate about aligns with what you are passionate about. Yet, they must be able to work as part of a team. They want to win awards but their journey cannot take over from the good of the film.
✅ Test: is he/she a little bit crazy or quite ordinary? What is their background? Is their work original?
📸 C. Good at visual storytelling
Directors need to understand visual storytelling and the building blocks of a good story. The best way for this is often to work with directors who are also good photographers. Or you need to find a VERY good DOP.
✅ Test: ask them to pitch: can they manage to convince you it is a great story? Can they visualise it? Can they bring good photos and good references to create a mood board?
🕺🏻 D. Good with actors.
No matter how amazing they are at storytelling or at many other things, they MUST be able to get the best out of actors.
This is the most challenging hurdle for advertising directors. They often have no training in directing actors and use them like props, cars, and bottles. Yet actors need to be handled differently. Can they do it?
✅ Test: Check the director's work. How are the performances? Only if the performances are believable then you get to the next step.
If they have not directed a short yet, organise a table read with your two actors' friends. And see.
This is all essential technically but also remember you need to get on as people. as you will spend a lot of time together. Can you have a few pints (or a Coke) and get on?
If get on at the pub - and all the other points are covered…he/she might be the right director for you.
What are you looking for in a director?
📆MAKERS CLUB: - HOW TO GET TAX CREDIT for short film - ** CHANGE OF DATE NEXT SESSION ONLY* 👉🏼 WEDNESDAY 30th
🍻 SHORTS 2 FEATURES NETWORKING DRINKS (XMAS SPECIAL) ON MONDAY 9th December - Soon on Eventbrite ⭐️
Happy shooting
PHOTO CREDIT: Own #jbalvin shoot earlier. Very good, visual director!
