Any DoPs on here who are now directors?
- Thread starter rc444
- Start date
j
Veteran
I only direct because I have projects in mind that I have a hard time finding a director with the same vision (or if it's a smaller project and I'm doing it for the extra $). I've DPd for probably 5-8 years or so before directing. I still prefer to DP. I don't know of any DP that started out that way as a path to becoming a director. Every DP I know wants to be a DP.
That's not the path I'd take if I was going be a director. I'd learn to AD, Produce, Script Sup, Edit and Act first. The most important thing to learn as far as DPing goes is to communication. Learn how to clarify your vision and how to effectively communicate that to the DP.
That's not the path I'd take if I was going be a director. I'd learn to AD, Produce, Script Sup, Edit and Act first. The most important thing to learn as far as DPing goes is to communication. Learn how to clarify your vision and how to effectively communicate that to the DP.
renegadewill
Well-known member
If you read American cinematographer, most of the big timers started out ACing and just worked their way up the ladder, some cross over and are directors too, it just depends. David Fincher work at ILM, look what he's doin now.
Barry_Green
Moderator
DOP to Director is, IMO, a lousy path. It's about as relevant as going Sound Recordist->Director. The two jobs have nothing in common, and being a DOP no more prepares you to be a director, than being a wardrobe specialist does.
If there's a career path that works, it's writer->director.
If there's a career path that works, it's writer->director.
That might be taking this good observation a bit far. No wardrobe person I've worked with had as good a grasp on scene blocking - which, of course, many recongnize as a key, central element of directing.
I think DP is the most logical technical craft path to directing. Perhaps only editing makes more sense.
Naturally, the PA, Scripty, ADs and so forth make the most sense from a career path perspective - at least if you're looking for the shortest, most common-sense path.
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Barry_Green
Moderator
Erik caught me using an extreme to illustrate a point. Guilty as charged. 
But I've met lots of DPs who thought they were directors, and I haven't met very many of them who understood how to direct a movie. A "scene" maybe, a commercial maybe, but not a film.
I say the writer is the logical progression to director, because the writer and the director are the only two folks in the entire production chain who understand the film in its entirety. Everyone else works on it piece by piece, but those two guys (and the editor, after it's all shot) deal with the film as a whole.
But I've met lots of DPs who thought they were directors, and I haven't met very many of them who understood how to direct a movie. A "scene" maybe, a commercial maybe, but not a film.
I say the writer is the logical progression to director, because the writer and the director are the only two folks in the entire production chain who understand the film in its entirety. Everyone else works on it piece by piece, but those two guys (and the editor, after it's all shot) deal with the film as a whole.
I concur!
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