JB Seesselberg
Member
Is it healthy to both direct and DP your own film? I mean, I know it's possible, but is it practical? I was wondering what the general consensus is on that, or if you all have any quippy anecdotes about said dilemma?
Direct & DP?
- Thread starter JB Seesselberg
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Beeblebrox
Well-known member
I think either job is difficult enough without adding the other to it.
Yup, it depends on whether you have a choice or not. A lot of indie filmmakers DP and direct simply because they're working with limited resources and have to wear multiple hats. But specialization is really the best way. If you only have to concentrate on one job, you're able to do it better. I've always DP and direct until my last project, when I worked with a director. It was so much better because I was able to concentrate completely on the camera and lighting while someone else worked with the actors. It's what I preferred to do anyway and the film was much better for it.
RyanT
Veteran
You can do both, but do you really want to?
My last film I finally found a DP who I was actually very confident with. I let him run things a lot more than I let my previous DP's and I have to say it made for a much better film in the end. I was able to concentrate on my story and the actors a lot more than usual, leaving me with a final product I was really proud of.
It's much tougher to do if you can't find someone you trust though, I think that's definitely key.
My last film I finally found a DP who I was actually very confident with. I let him run things a lot more than I let my previous DP's and I have to say it made for a much better film in the end. I was able to concentrate on my story and the actors a lot more than usual, leaving me with a final product I was really proud of.
It's much tougher to do if you can't find someone you trust though, I think that's definitely key.