Who's a Director?
Enjoy watching movies, TV shows and plays? Did you love coming up with your own stories as a kid? Are you always at the forefront to put up plays at your school/college events? If so consider becoming a director!
As a director you will work as a storyteller. You would either use the stage, TV shows or the silver screen to tell stories. There are many aspects involved in creating these stories. And as a director, you will be the central figure who determines everything about how the story is told. Right from planning the story to scheduling the shooting, you will be in charge. You will work with actors, musicians, photographers, videographers, designers, and many more people!
If you are passionate about bringing a story to life, direction is the way for you! Read on to learn more about what you would do as a director.
Are you passionate about directing films? Want to pursue it as a future career option? Explore a day in the life of a Director- Dharampal Thakur
What will you do?
Where will you work?
How do you get there?
What skills would you need?
Creative Skills
Creative skills involve the ability to think outside the box, generate new ideas, and find innovative solutions to problems. These skills include imagination, design thinking, artistic abilities, and the capacity to develop fresh concepts or approaches in different fields, from writing and art to problem-solving in business. Creative skills help you come up with original ideas, improve processes, and develop unique solutions in the workplace. In roles like marketing, design, or product development, creativity is essential for staying competitive and bringing new perspectives to projects or challenges. build this skill
Social Skills
Social skills are the abilities that enable effective communication and interaction with others. They encompass a range of interpersonal competencies, including active listening, empathy, non-verbal communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork. These skills help individuals navigate social situations, build relationships, and collaborate effectively in various settings. Having strong social skills is crucial for personal and professional success. They enhance teamwork, foster positive relationships, and improve communication, which can lead to better collaboration and productivity in the workplace. In many professions, especially those involving direct interaction with others—such as education, healthcare, and sales—strong social skills can significantly impact outcomes and overall effectiveness. build this skill
Time Management
Time management refers to the ability to plan and organise how much time you spend on specific activities. Good time management enables individuals to work smarter rather than harder, helping them prioritise tasks, set goals, and allocate time efficiently. It includes skills such as prioritisation, scheduling, and setting deadlines, allowing individuals to maximise productivity and reduce stress. This skill is especially valuable in fast-paced environments, where the ability to adapt and adjust priorities can significantly impact performance.
Communication Skills
Communication skills are the ability to clearly express ideas, information, and feelings, both verbally and in writing, so others can easily understand. This includes listening effectively, using the right tone, and being aware of non-verbal cues like body language. These skills help you explain your thoughts clearly, build relationships, and work better in teams. Good communication is important in almost every job, from customer service to leadership roles, because it ensures that tasks are understood and done correctly, and it helps prevent misunderstandings. build this skill
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail means being careful and noticing small things that others might miss. It involves checking your work carefully for mistakes, following instructions exactly, and making sure everything is done correctly. This skill helps you do accurate work and avoid errors. In jobs, attention to detail is important for tasks like writing reports, managing data, or following safety rules. build this skillHow do you make it to the top ranks?
Amateur Director
You can start your career by working independently right from the beginning. As an amateur director, you should enter your films in contests and awards. This will help you build a reputation as these contests and awards are closely followed by people from the industry.
Assistant Director
On the other hand, many senior directors are on the hunt for passionate people who share their interests. You can choose to work with them as assistants and start gaining experience. TV, motion picture and theatre groups are always looking for assistants. The set-up is more formal for TV shows and movies as they are backed by production houses. Theatre productions may have an informal set-up as they are mostly created by small, loosely-knit theatre groups. As you learn more about film direction and theatre play direction, you can start working on your projects.
Director
Once you gain enough experience and have a good network within the industry, the production house you work with will hand you a project or you can take up something on your own. This is when you get to put your skills to the test! You can handpick the people working on your project, think of creative ways to present your story, work closely with the crew members, mentor your cast before, during, and after the duration of the shoot/rehearsal, and set deadlines for the process.
Senior Director
At this stage, you will have established yourself as a professional in the industry and have a few successful projects in your kitty. You can continue working on more projects or even take over as producer for other directors that you mentor, funding their projects and providing your professional guidance wherever you can.
Pursuing your career locally VS abroad
India has one of the biggest entertainment industries in the world – be it in cinema or television. With plenty of film industries and a booming television and web business, you will not find themselves deprived of jobs here. Having said that, the path to success and fame is hard. There’s cutthroat competition in this field. While there is no specific qualification required to be a director, a degree in some technical aspect of filmmaking can provide the necessary skills for this career. Students can either opt for a Bachelors in Mass Media or choose the arts stream and specialise in Multimedia or Fine Arts. The cost of graduation can range from INR 5000 to INR 2,00,000, depending on the choice of college. There are also options for Diploma courses in Film Direction offered by many film schools across the country.
Becoming a successful director in a foreign land is difficult but not impossible. Many Indian directors like Mira Nair, M. Night Shyamalan and more have successful careers in Hollywood. The basic qualification to study film direction abroad is a Bachelor’s degrees in fine arts, film, or a related field. These programmes typically last four years and offer technical specialisations in filmmaking with options for further education. Earning a master’s degree costs, on average, INR 5,00,000 – INR 15,00,000 per year. Similarly, options for theatre direction are also available, such as the National Association of Schools of Theater in the US, which also offers opportunities to students to work on their own projects. Due to the highly competitive nature of the industry, students also gain hands-on training by working with professional directors as interns or assistants.
How much would you get paid?
The exact amount will depend on your skill, expertise, the medium you’re working with and the producers budget for the project. However, we can give you a fair idea of what you can make:
What are your career options?
Broadcast Presentation
A broadcast presenter is the face or voice of programmes broadcast on television, radio or the Internet. Depending on the genre of the show, you will present information or entertainment in a way that connects you with your audience. You will need to have excellent skills in communication, research, coordination, and the ability to come up with ideas and present them attractively. Some broadcast presenters also get an additional degree in journalism or media studies, however, the same is not required in the field.
Video Production
Video producers manage all the aspects of production right from the start to the end of the project. You will work closely with other crew members, either on the set or in a studio. You will be responsible for managing the budget of the project and work on marketing and distribution. You will need good skills in presentation, pitching and negotiation. Most video producers have a graduation degree while some also get a qualification in filmmaking, media production and broadcast production.
Camera Operation
As the name suggests, camera operators handle the camera work of the project. Your role will be to combine creativity and technology to create a visual work of art. Camera operators either directly work under photographers or directors of photography. You will either work at a studio, a set, or cover live events. Other than the ability to work with multiple kinds of cameras, you will also need creativity, patience, and an eye for detail. Most professionals usually gain some or the other degree related to photography or filmmaking to pursue this career.
Criticism
Critics review every aspect of the finished product. Your job is to rate the movies and determine their worth. You must be well-versed in communication. You will need to have good language skills and expertise in your area of work, be it cinema, television, web, or theatre. Some critics get a degree in journalism or media studies with added experience in the industry.
Production Coordination
Production coordinators work in the administrative and organisational aspects of all the work surrounding the making of the film, TV show or play. You will be involved in every stage of the project, right from the start to the finish. You will be responsible for arranging production meetings, determining schedules, distributing scripts, organising travel and accommodation, assisting cast and crew members, and other secretarial work. Most production coordinators have a graduate degree in any media-related field and few opt for a post-graduation to acquire more practical skills.
Programme Research
A programme researcher is a support function for the production team. You will assist producers in all aspects of production – from generating ideas to ensuring that everyone on the set is catered to. You will be responsible for organising, planning and researching everything that is required during the course of the shoot or rehearsal. You will also fact-check, write briefs for producers or presenters, and ensure that the production adheres to certain laws and rules. Many programme researchers usually get a postgraduate degree in media, journalism, or broadcasting.
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