Filmmaking / Directing : Directing by Josiah Bhola Hillaire

Hi Josiah - here is a link to a highly rates Stage 32 webinar taught by one oft he top DGA Assistant Directors in the industry on how to best prepare as a director. I think you'll find this helpful: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/An-Insiders-Guide-For-First-Time-Directors

And here is a link to all Stage 32 directing education to help you on your creative journey: https://www.stage32.com/education/tag/directing

Have a vision, be prepared to evolve the vision, understand, respect and acknowledge all filmmaking roles which will drive the film forward.

Thanks Sam Sokolow

Clive Martin thank you

Josiah Bhola Hillaire this goes back to my previous answer:

Josiah, tips won’t help you be a director.

First ask the question why do you want to be a director? Then - What is there within you that moves you towards this? Do you have the skills to understand and nurture the talent that surrounds a production, in front of and behind the camera? Are you someone who can see the bigger picture, to tell the story and make the production successful?

If you can answer those questions and none of your answers have anything to do with a (false) sense of the romance of being the man, the director, then maybe you can start on this journey.

Start with iPhone and make shorts, 2-3 minute long and work you way to longer content.

What Dan Maxxx said! Here's the first assignment I give to new filmmakers: grab your smartphone or you tablet, and film someone making a cup of coffee. Use natural or indoor light, don't worry about sound. Goal is to have a one minute movie. Watch it. And then do it again because you'll quickly learn what worked and didn't work. Most smartphones have editing apps that are free. So have at it!

Make a film best school ever

To me, it's all about listening. Listening is free between projects. During projects - weigh what you hear against your own vision, but also against your constraints (usually money/time). When your day is getting away from you, listen only to the ideas that get your days back on track (but how do you know without hearing them first?) The hardest thing to do is know when to stop listening because it's getting in the way and you just have to trust in your gut/prior experience. But none of this matters if you're not making stuff. Doesn't have to be good stuff, just keep making stuff. You'll learn

here’s a quote from James Cameron: “Pick up a camera. Shoot something. No matter how small, no matter how cheesy, no matter whether your friends or sister star in it. Put your name on it. Now you’re a director.” The rest is just negotiating your rate.

Drink heavily, take lots of hallucinogens, wear jodhpurs and carry a riding crop.

Practice. Just go for it and make something, anything, and go from there.