Taking A Different Path To Becoming Director

A

ALopez

Member
Hey guys, so I'm sure that you can guess by the title that I want to be a successful director in the future. The thing is though, I've been having a lot of thoughts and doubts in my head recently on how I should accomplish it. For years I figured that I would just try my luck and go full out gun-ho on it, but recently (due to other things) I'm starting to doubt that approach. I figured a safer route would be to first become a cinematographer and after a few years of being established in that, start transitioning over to director. I think it would be smarter to go to film school and learn the more technical aspects of it, since I've already kinda had some experience in directing my own shorts and such. Apparently people tell me that I have a good eye and I love creating visuals and have a knack for coming up with interesting shots that others wouldn't necessarily pick up on right away (for that particular shoot). Maybe I'll end up being a cinematographer, but I also love to share stories and love capturing life and its moments... Anyways, which road do you think would be best?

Obviously everybody makes their own path and circumstances are always different, but does this plan sound reasonable? Ultimately I want to be known as Adrian Lopez, the DIRECTOR when I'm older...

Thanks

(Youtube channel if you're interested: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBullseyeStudios)




-Oh and I forgot to mention that I would obviously still be shooting my own stuff and directing my own little projects on the side while mainly being a cinematographer for other more major projects, then making the transition when I'm comfortable with where I am at...
 
1. Ask your uncle _______ who works at (insert Studio/Production Comany/Agency) for a job.

or

2. Start shooting everything you can with whatever you can get your hands on. (Morgage house/Sell Comic Collection/Rob Bank) to fund masterpiece

or

3. Go to School.
 
Becoming a successful cinematographer is like becoming a successful director. If you think that's the easier way to go...I don't know what to say. I'm still working on getting more DP work and I've been at this since around 2006...my reel is starting to come together, but I'm still working as an electric and learning a lot.

I don't want to tell you not to work in other capacities than as a director, because I think that's the most valuable experience you'll have, but maybe think about doing something that is more related to story. How are you at editing? There's a lot of people who start out as editors and then come into directing later on, because that has much more to do with story than being a DP ever does.

The only other job that might be good for you to do, is to work in production. That way you can meet a lot of different production folks who make movies happen all the time, and you can work with them pretty closely on a regular basis. After you become friends with them, you mention you have this script, and you're looking for funding....it's going to be those guys that can help you and put you in touch with the right people, It's not going to be the gaffer or best boy electric that you've been learning the ropes from.
 
As RyanT says, getting any job in film will help in that eventual goal of becoming a director - at least more so than a non-film job. But remember that every second person you'll meet in the film industry also has ambitions of becoming a director.
 
Don't go into porn. Success isn't worth your soul. I'm actually rather impressed with the work you are turning out. It seems to be rather story oriented and all audiences appreciate that. Keep working hard and networking.
 
Thanks for the input everyone!

The reason I'm asking this is because I plan on attending film school, and I don't think it would be smart wasting all that money on directing classes when I'm already comfortable with where I'm at as a director. But cinematography on the other hand... I've always had an eye for the picture and love to create beautiful visuals and capturing moments, but never really understood all that technical mumbo-jumbo. So I figured, why not go to film school to learn about all of the more technical stuff while I keep carving out my more creative material on my own (such as directing, screenplay writing, etc) Plus I plan on attending Columbia College Chicago, and I hear that ever since Janusz Kaminski did Schindler's List, he hires students from that school to help him out with movies he's working on (since he attended that school as well).

So yeah...

While I'm at it, here's my photo work on flickr if you're interested:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57523975@N03/

And just a photoreel I made a few months ago:
 
Last edited:
School is a great place, not just for taking classes, but for meeting other people and working with other people.
 
RyanT said:
How are you at editing? There's a lot of people who start out as editors and then come into directing later on, because that has much more to do with story than being a DP ever does.
Click to expand...

Ouch. Objection, subjective.
 
greymog said:
Ouch. Objection, subjective.
Click to expand...

I'm a DP myself and I know that the editor makes a lot more story decisions than I ever will. The editor can change the entire meaning of the movie with a few little clicks, but me? I rarely get the chance to change things that drastically.
 
Don't fool yourself. It takes every bit as long to make a good career in cinematography as it does in directing. It's not by any means easy.

That said, if you are "already comfortable with where I'm at as a director" you are in deep deep ****.
 
Mark Harris said:
Don't fool yourself. It takes every bit as long to make a good career in cinematography as it does in directing. It's not by any means easy.

That said, if you are "already comfortable with where I'm at as a director" you are in deep deep s**t.
Click to expand...

Yeah I may have worded that wrong haha... I obviously have a lot to learn, especially since I'm still relatively in the beginning, but I'm definitely a lot more comfortable with taking a director position if someone needs it more than giving off a lot of technical know-how with cameras and stuff. I hope you know what I mean.

I don't expect it to be easy, because nothing worth getting is ever easy, but I think I could have more of an advantage by knowing both sides of making films; The creative side and the technical side...

And @yrpfilms
Thats another reason why I'm interested in school. I'm a collaborative person and want to see all of my "options" so to speak. I love working with new people and think its great to see how unique everyones take on film is, and how we can help one another to finish the final product.
 
ALopez said:
I don't expect it to be easy, because nothing worth getting is ever easy, but I think I could have more of an advantage by knowing both sides of making films; The creative side and the technical side...
Click to expand...

I just wish more people thought like this. :)
 
You don't need to go to college to be a filmmaker. You don't have to uproot. You don't have to end relationships. You have better things to do with your time.

True, you will make social/business connections in school, but you'll be making them in the real world on real sets too if you choose not to go.

I only suggest this if you're a self-starter and can read and do research online on your own. The internet has opened up education and democratized it.

Make movies, get a camera, some lights, and good sound equipment. Make some movies. Did I mention make some movies? Study lighting, writing structure, direct as many actors as you can. Just work. You'll have a great reel, money in your pocket and tons of experience.

Good luck.
 
I'm almost done with film school at a major university, and I'm really tending not to agree with Brad up there. I learned a ton in college, made valuable connections with people who work in the industry, and formed close bonds with some of my colleagues that allow me to make films regularly and have a pool of labor available for paying gigs. No, you don't need filmschool, but college is an amazing opportunity and while you study film I encourage you to get a second backup degree... always nice to have, and a way to distinguish yourself from the other hopeful directors (makes you appear more rounded and more educated than your film only colleagues), and an option not available to you should you decide the intern and move up routine is better. This advice is straight from four time emmy award winning producer Dave Lacy.

It's a tough decision, I could have bought a red and a nice prime lens set for what I have spent on my education, and possibly made a feature film or two, and a handful of shorts to take to the festival circuit during those four and a half years. However being able to navigate two degrees at once says a lot about your ability to oversee a long term project on your own, direct experience for your job. Going to film school allows (cough requires cough) you to learn every single position on a film set, learn the history and theory of film, and give you access to equipment and talent you would never be able to afford on your own. No one is there to hold your hand, and you are expected to make what you will of your time there, if you choose the film school route I highly encourage you to put your time to good use. I heard nearly 40% of those enrolled in my film school graduate without touching a camera... and promptly go on to work at a call center I'm sure. Just make sure you have a plan, work hard, teach yourself (this forum is a required textbook), don't expect a single handout, and enjoy the college experience, but don't get to wrapped up in the stupidity. It is a tough balance.

Large numbers of kids graduate film school and go on to start entry level jobs with those that skipped school altogether. Those that work their butts off to distinguish themselves with their work, buddy up to their professors, and make their name within their department have a bit of a fast track in starting to work in their desired department be it camera, special effects, or directing (where many entry level jobs can be obtained through professor recommendation). And there are lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of kids who want to be cinematographers only, so you will face stiff competition should you go that route (against people like me pouring serious money into their rigs). Would a surgeon go to veterinary school in hopes of one day operating on humans?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top