The defining line for the label of "productions" or "director"

[sheeep]

Here's something to throw out for discussion.

It's no secret that the "indy" film scene has exploded due to web released videos/easy access digital editing etc... I'm one of the children of that availability.

...to be clear, this isn't about the filmpocalypse which is supposedly happening right now.

This is more of a general question to all of you: where along your development did you begin calling yourself a director, or calling the people you film with a production company.

I myself have a serious problem with the title of "director", or "photographer", or any title for that matter. To me a director is some one who is established and has worked at it for awhile. Their title doesn't come due to the popularity or budget of their movie, but because they've stuck with making movies for a long enough time.

In my opinion a production company also should be composed of people who... well... know what they're doing, and have done it for long enough.

By all means, people can call themselves what they like. The problem is it's making it hard for me to find a direction to head in. I'm 18, hoping to get into some film related college, and hoping even more that the breakup of my group of friends doesn't make it impossible for me to make movies. I'm trying to find a place to work, or a group of somewhat mature people that are on a good but not overly good level.

I see tons of films being made, some student produced, others with budgets, but they all attempt to use this terrifying professional lingo with a full staff of producers, directors, assistant directors even if they're all the same 3 people.

Say some one's asking for a DP for a short independent film... maybe I can do it, lets give it a shot. So I show up, and it's 3 high school kids messing around in their house. I think I'm slightly above that level.

But then again, say some ones asking for a DP for a short independent film... okay lets give this one a shot. I show up, and they're working on a $1500 per actor per day budget. Do I think I could manage to get through the day? Yes. Would I much rather assist some one to make sure I don't blow it? Definitely.

I don't know if this rambling formed a coherent thought, but discuss if you think you get what I'm trying to say.

 

[Grug]

You can call yourself whatever you want, but using titles that other people can recognise and understand instantly (i.e. Director or DoP) helps to let them know what you do. Some people do throw those titles around fairly loosely, but you get that in any industry - I know "presidents" of companies who seem to spend half of their work day playing computer games (or browsing internet forums :huh. It's just a fact of life.

As for production companies - all you need to do is register a business name, then you're good to go. No one is going come up to you and say: "Hey you should form a production company" it's something you have to do yourself.

 

[Jim Brennan]

To me a production company is an entity that can create content, from concept to final delivery. It doesn't matter if it's one guy with a network he can rely on, or a company of thousands.

A director is an on-set boss who manages the creative aspects of physical production (the shoot).

But there is a lot of obfuscation out there. People use tiles to give the impression they are more experienced, or more successful than they are. That's why I never take a job with someone I don't know without a recommendation, or a face to face meeting.

 

[ConspiracyPenguin]

A title should only be applied when it describes what you do. Directors direct the film, it is their vision that the ultimate result is supposed to match. I call myself a writer and an actor because those are the things I do. Have I directed? Sure, but I don't call myself a director because that is not my main job description. There's my outlook.

As far as production companies, they are just that, companies - business. Get a few folks together who know what they are doing, register the company and make films using that name. Simple as that.

 

[Drew Ott]

Say some one's asking for a DP for a short independent film... maybe I can do it, lets give it a shot. So I show up, and it's 3 high school kids messing around in their house. I think I'm slightly above that level.

Being 18, why do you consider yourself above high school kids? Am I wrong to assume that you just graduated high school?

I think I see your point, I just don't agree with the way you made it.

anyway..

 

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Being 18, why do you consider yourself above high school kids? Am I wrong to assume that you just graduated high school?

I think I see your point, I just don't agree with the way you made it.

anyway..

Yeah, I agree. But I think he meant high school kids who have no talent and are just screwing around. Not high school kids who are members of DVXUser and make kick-ass films.