Producing : First-Time Director? by Anthony McBride

Sounds like a good plan. It can be advantageous in many ways. Such as they are more passionate and have something to prove, which means they'll put everything into the project. They also would have a fresh prospective and would view their first script in high regards as opposed to some experienced directors who don't even want to work with new screenwriters.

Hiring 'first time Directors'/DP's, Editors... & others. Taught me a lot... Never do that again!

I'm all about giving someone their shot in the director's chair, but only if they have spent significant time on set in other roles.

As the director, you call the shots, you are responsible for the performances, the amount of coverage, knowing how to convey the story in tandem with your cinematographer, and how the tools they use impact delivery. You're responsible for the pacing of the story and the way the story's energy builds and grows scene by scene. It is an extremely tough job. It's creative and it's technical. A good director knows how every decision they make impacts the cast, crew, schedule, budget, and spirit of the film. No one has a good grasp on any of that until they have spent time on set and until they have hopefully directed a handfull of non-feature material.

First time director... no problem. But only if they have a genuine understanding of what lies ahead.

Thanks for your opinions. Just gotta brace myself...

Hi there! That's a really exciting path you're on, transitioning from award-winning screenwriter to director. It's truly inspiring to see creatives taking the helm of their own stories. From my perspective as an aspiring composer, the thought of working with a first-time director, especially one with your writing background, is genuinely exciting. New directors often bring an uninhibited vision and an incredible passion for their material. That energy is contagious and definitely pushes me as a composer to create unique, deeply integrated scores. So, I really like that!

Anthony McBride First time or 8th time, you need to find a director that understands the theme of the story you wish to tell. He has to be able to enhance the story without taking it over and making it "his" vision. He has to understand the use of composition within the frame, the correct lighting for the right ambiance of the scene and when he has the shot he wants from his actors without Kubricking everyone to death with 187 takes for one shot. He has to be an artist and an engineer at the same time. He has to trust his people to give him the shot he wants or teach them how to get it in the most time efficient manner. He must be adaptable without being unreasonable and he must respect the work of the writer and convey plot troubles and holes to where a compromise can be amicably reached. No one wants plot holes in their story. It distracts the audience and takes them out of the experience. Both writer and director have to be aware of this fatal flaw.

Ask the right questions and if you like the answers, ask some more until the bond between you is as solid as one soul.

Hey Anthony McBride Moving from screenwriting to directing is a natural evolution for many writers who want to maintain creative control and see their vision fully realized on screen.

The good news is that the industry has actually become more open to first-time or early stage directors, especially those with strong creative backgrounds - whether that's writing, editing, producing, youtube, and even social media like tiktok or instagram content. Your writing credentials are an immense resource for a first-time directors because you already understand story structure and character development.

Key Advantages You Bring:

- Story expertise - producers know you understand narrative fundamentals

- Professional credibility - your awards demonstrate industry recognition

- Script ownership- controlling both writing and directing gives you significant leverage (and unfortunately does make you a more "budget effective" option for many producers as you're a writer-director package deal

Strategic Approaches:

Start with shorts or proof-of-concepts to demonstrate visual storytelling ability. Many successful writer-directors used short films to prove they could translate their writing skills to directing. The key for short films is creating great atmospheres/tones which can carry tension in slower scenes.

Partner with experienced key crew - surrounding yourself with more seasoned DPs, editors, and department heads can offset first-time director concerns.

Emphasize your unique vision - what can you bring to the director's chair that someone else couldn't? Your intimate knowledge of the script and characters is a huge advantage.

Many producers actually prefer working with writer-directors because it eliminates the potential creative conflicts between separate writer and director visions. Plus, your writing background means you'll likely be more collaborative and understand the production process better than many first-time directors. The writer-director path is challenging but incredibly rewarding when it works!