About Movie Directors
If making a movie is like going to war, the director should be considered the general. Presiding over the entire cast and crew while also working with production companies and studios, the director is the glue that holds the entire process together.
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Function
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The movie director reads a script, visualizes the direction of the storyline, and then proceeds to implement that vision with the help of a creative and technical team of writers, producers, actors, editors, engineers and technicians. The director must not only lead his cast and crew but also determine the artistic and technical components of a movie. Under the director's guidance, a film is essentially brought to life.
History
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The history of film dates back to the late 1800s, with the medium hitting the mainstream in 1896. By 1907, the United States boasted around 4,000 small cinemas, and the role of director began to develop into a necessary and integral aspect of the filmmaking process. Technology advanced, sizes of crews expanded, and directors like Alfred Hitchcock, D.W. Griffith and Orson Welles made history with their groundbreaking styles and storytelling.
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Significance
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Unlike television, where a theme has already been established, movie directors have the opportunity to control every stage of the development process. Usually hired by the executive producer, the director controls the overall storytelling of the film. Because they have their hands in all areas of production, it is important that directors are strong, organized, experienced, and unwavering in their artistic vision. Everything from the tone to cinematography to lighting is determined by directors, and they may also be involved in pre- and post-production work like financing, casting and editing.
Types
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The types of directors vary as much as the genres of films in the industry. Some directors specialize in horror films like Wes Craven, while others--such as Steven Spielberg and James Cameron--are more famous for working on dramas. Many directors venture into different genres, but much like actors, they can often be pigeon-holed into one subset of the industry. Directors employed by studios will be paid a much higher rate to work on blockbuster projects than indie directors will for movies on a smaller scale.
Misconceptions
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There can be many misconceptions about the extent of a director's role and how involved she is in the movie-making process. The bottom line is that directors' responsibilities can vary by project. For instance, some directors--like Wes Anderson--are involved in all levels of production. From writing to producing to design to editing, a director can have absolute and total control over the film. Some directors require final cut to work on a movie, which means the studio cannot change or edit the work the director has done in any way. Established directors also have the clout to demand certain actors be cast in the film. Basically, the more established the director, the more control she will have.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Simon Davison
