How do I get to direct a movie?

How do people become movie directors? Do you have to work your way up through the ranks?

How long does it take?

–Shiraz, New York

The path to becoming a movie director can seem confusing for people trying to break in mostly because– it is. There’s no test you can take, no one who stamps your report card “ready” and points you to the hiring office (which there also isn’t one of.) In fact, there’s no single right way to get your first feature directing gig– everyone’s story is different.

But from hearing many stories from peers, I think there are two guiding principles to getting to direct a movie:

First, you have to be ready. You need to know how the job goes, have practiced, and created work people can look at. You need to know your craft. You can do that by working on sets and getting your pro friends together on a weekend, or you can make pretty great looking films with your phone. Seems easy, but it still takes a takes a lot of work, trial and error, and commitment.

While there’s no “official” path, most feature directors started in web, tv, commercials, or music videos. But anything works as long as you end up with a portfolio of your work. Something people can look at, that you can discuss with them in a meeting. That will give them confidence in giving you their time, money or support for your film(s).

The second principle: nobody will “let” you direct. You have to make yourself the director. Directing a feature isn’t about asking for permission. It’s about standing up and saying “I would like to direct now, and here’s why you I deserve your support.”  How?

If you write (or buy) an amazing screenplay, you can tell the financiers or studio, “You can only have this script if I direct.” If they want your script badly enough, then you are the director.

Or if you have a relationship with a woman who was in your acting class 10 years ago and you both absolutely loved collaborating and now she is a famous actor, you can say  “I brought this script I acquired to Jennifer Lawrence, who loves it, and the only way the film gets made is if I direct.” If they want Jen and the script, you are now the director.

Or if you become so good and hot (i.e. well known, exciting and expensive) in whatever TV or Web Videos or Music Videos or Commercials you’ve been directing that producers and executives want that “thing” you’ve got– then you are the director.

Or you can bring money to the table– “I’ve raised 3 million for this script I’ve acquired. I will be directing.” Done.

Putting these two principles to work goes like this:

When you’ve got the portfolio that proves you can direct, ask yourself:

• Do I have the talent to make this movie? (your own, of course, but Jennifer Lawrence’s attachment helps too.)
• Is my script good enough to attract an audience?
• Will studios or friends or financiers see in my previous work a reason to invest the money?
• What can I do to upgrade my answers?

The better you do on each element, the more likely it is that your film will get made and you will be the director.

The one thing I can’t help you with is how long it takes. I’m a committed “destination” guy, so I’ll spare you the “journey-not-the-destination” speech. But I can promise you that the “overnight successes” you see score with their first films worked on their craft– and their portfolios– for years before they got to direct their first feature.  I know I did.

(hmmm…maybe it is about the journey.)

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