How do I get started? (Directing)

O

opasepu

New member
Hi,

I'm going to graduate from high school soon, and I'm really interested in directing.
So, my question is - How do I get started? Should I just buy the equipment/books and start shooting something?
Well, I was thinking about attending the NYFA, but it turns out they're pretty shi--y. Then there's the LAFS, but I don't have spare $40,000. That's about it.. every other school I checked out didn't accept total newbies.

Oh, and please don't tell me how shi--y the industry is, and how I shouldn't be getting into this. I've already figured everything out. I'll get a part-time job, and in my free time I'll direct.

So yeah.. any info is appreciated. :)

Have a great New Year & thanks!:beer:
 
You should post this in the Directing Forum. Many of the people here tend to gravitate to their specialities.

But I would say, personally, team up with someone with the gear/equipment and do something and find out what it takes, what you need, and if it is what you want to do. Find or develop a script, get actors, and just do it.
 
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Oh, okay. Thanks! :)

Edit: I don't think I know anyone who has the gear. :( Maybe I could rent it at first?

Find or develop a script - Check. (I mean, I'd love to develop a script)
get actors - I could probably get some of the theater majors from local colleges.

Anyways, thanks for the reply! :)
 
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If you can, go to school for it. This way you won't have to make too many rookie mistakes, get the fundamentals down, and a degree in anything (especially Bachalar Science degree) will always help open doors.
Yes, you can become a director without a degree but you could miss out on certain opportunities because you don't have it.
Also, if you're in school you can use their equipement to create your work and you will have a credible staff that will give you honest feedback.
 
Jason Miller said:
take a couple filmmaking classes at your local CC, just to see if it is what you want, and surly you or someone you know has a video camera and some work lights.
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I don't think any of my local community college's have filmmaking classes?

lhdor said:
If you can, go to school for it. This way you won't have to make too many rookie mistakes, get the fundamentals down, and a degree in anything (especially Bachalar Science degree) will always help open doors.
Yes, you can become a director without a degree but you could miss out on certain opportunities because you don't have it.
Also, if you're in school you can use their equipement to create your work and you will have a credible staff that will give you honest feedback.
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Do you know of any good filmmaking schools in LA?

Edit: Oh, one more thing - is NYFA's filmmaking program that bad? On paper it sounds terrific.



By the way, thanks for the replies. :)
 
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there are a lot of schools that will accept newbs, AAU in San Francisco accepts anyone with a high school deploma into their undergrad program, and they do have a fairly good program, i've sat in on a couple of classes, and I've worked with a few students,from there some are pretty good, some suck, I just got my Masters in VFX there, best school in the world for VXF, not a top school for film, but good, they teach you the "proper way" unlike a lot of schools who teach a more indi gorilla stile. I can tell you that if you pic a school in LA, SF or NY, you'll probably get pleanty of chances to crew for free on films made by dvx users.

there is also full sail in florida, and you should look into your CCs, even Tulsa CC has them lol.
 
the best way to get started doing anything is to simply start doing it.
When you get good enough at it, people will start paying you to do it.
This will not happen if you don't take the initiative to just do it.
 
Jason Miller said:
there are a lot of schools that will accept newbs, AAU in San Francisco accepts anyone with a high school deploma into their undergrad program, and they do have a fairly good program, i've sat in on a couple of classes, and I've worked with a few students,from there some are pretty good, some suck, I just got my Masters in VFX there, best school in the world for VXF, not a top school for film, but good, they teach you the "proper way" unlike a lot of schools who teach a more indi gorilla stile. I can tell you that if you pic a school in LA, SF or NY, you'll probably get pleanty of chances to crew for free on films made by dvx users.

there is also full sail in florida, and you should look into your CCs, even Tulsa CC has them lol.
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AAU, you say? It seems like a nice school, but I'd much rather attend a school in LA, so I wouldn't have to move upon graduation. By the way, what are your opinions on NYFA?

---

Thanks for all the replies! :)
 
Take your fist years tuition and buy gear. Nothing extravagant. A nice NLE (FCP/Avid) a nice camera, sticks, basic light kit. Then start reading DVXuser interring fests and crewing out on other productions.

You can take on local commercials weddings local band music vidz etc for experience plus some cash.


Then decide if you want to go to film school after that year. If you decide this gig is not for you sell the gear and the money you earned with it will help offset the depreciation and you can come out without a lot of money out of pocket.

You might find that you will carve out a workable business with your gear and you can pursue that.

Or you enroll in film school with an advantage. You own your own NLE your own camera you have some experience and it will put you among the top students. Many film students end up striving to buy these things while they are in school. You could walk in and own them and have a year of experience with some options.
 
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I agree with the above.
As art goes, most of the time the more education you get about the more handicaps and hesitation you develop.
Never being told ya cant do that offers raw freedom... very very billable raw freedom.
This is a vidual industry. People forget that sometimes. By that, make it look awesome. You do not need others to tell you how to do that. trial and error is yer buddy.
 
NYFA? I know of it, thats all I can really say about it. I know it's there, I don't know if its good or bad, but again if you moved to NY, you'd still have to move to LA after, well you wouldn't have to, as NY has some film industry, but so does SF. and SF is an 8 hour drive lol
 
Doc Bernard said:
You should post this in the Directing Forum. Many of the people here tend to gravitate to their specialities.

But I would say, personally, team up with someone with the gear/equipment and do something and find out what it takes, what you need, and if it is what you want to do. Find or develop a script, get actors, and just do it.
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that sums it up.

meet people, meet cool, driven, successful or on their way to being successful people. You will run across a lot of different types of personalities and styles and what not, and just always work hard, learn fast and grow your leadership skills. If you are already in the LA area, DONT LEAVE IT.

Avoid school if not for atleast a year like said before. Debt isnt fun.
 
Jason Miller said:
NYFA? I know of it, thats all I can really say about it. I know it's there, I don't know if its good or bad, but again if you moved to NY, you'd still have to move to LA after, well you wouldn't have to, as NY has some film industry, but so does SF. and SF is an 8 hour drive lol
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They are located in LA as well.

Anyways, thanks for all the replies! I really appreciate them. :)
 
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