TV/Film Director
What is the work like?
As a director, you would have overall responsibility for the way films or television programmes are made. You would use your creative vision, organisational skills and technical knowledge to manage the whole production process.
You might lead a small team or a large cast and crew, to direct full-length feature films, short films, live or recorded television programmes, commercials, music videos or corporate videos. Your main purpose would be to make the creative decisions that guide the rest of the crew.
Your work could include:
- meeting producers
- commissioning a script or an idea for a documentary
- interpreting scripts and developing storyboards
- deciding on the look, design and locations
- planning the shooting schedule and logistics
- hiring the cast and crew
- directing the technical crew
- directing the actors, or the contributors to a documentary
- selecting shots and supervising editing in the final 'cut'.
In some cases you might write your own scripts and raise finance for projects. On some productions you might also operate camera or sound equipment – this is particularly common with documentaries or productions with a small budget.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You could take various routes to become a director. The most important requirements are to have substantial practical experience in TV or film, in-depth understanding of the production process, and a network of contacts in the industry.
Many successful directors start as runners and work their way up into other jobs like 3rd and 2nd assistant director or floor manager. Others move into directing after experience in a technical or creative role like camera work.
To get a job as a runner, you will need to show your commitment to working in the media. You could do this through taking part in activities like student or community film or TV, and finding work experience placements.
You may find it helpful to take a filmmaking or media production course that helps you to build practical skills and make contacts. Several universities and colleges offer relevant BTEC HNDs, degrees and postgraduate courses, and some private film schools offer intensive directing and filmmaking courses. See Skillset’s website for details of industry-endorsed courses.
Another way of breaking into film directing is to make your own short films (known as 'shorts'), which you could market to agents or enter into film festivals and competitions such as those run by the BBC and Channel 4. To make your own films, you will need access to equipment, crew and actors. Getting involved in community film projects can help you with this.
Visit the Shooting People website for information about opportunities in independent film.
What further training and development can I do?
You will develop your skills and knowledge on the job as you gain experience in directing.
As an experienced director, you could take short courses and masterclasses to help you further your technical, business and creative skills. You can find relevant training with:
- film schools
- regional screen agencies
- specialist private training companies
- the Directors’ Guild of Great Britain
- the New Producers’ Alliance.
You could also choose to take a postgraduate course in directing at a university or film school. Some courses specialise in particular types of directing, such as screen drama or documentary.
Visit Skillset’s website to search for relevant courses, and for information about how to fund your training as a freelance director.
Where can I go for more information?
10 Little Portland StreetLondon
W1W 7JG
Tel: 020 7861 7861
London
SW9 9BT
56 Shoreditch High Street
London
E1 6JJ
Tel: 020 7613 0440
London
W1T 2HZ
Tel: 020 7580 9131
Tel: 0808 100 8094 (Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Freelance directors are usually paid a fee for each individual contract or project. Rates can vary widely, and may be based on the budget available and your track record. Contact the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) for current pay guidelines.
People working on films may agree to work for little or no pay on the understanding that they will share in any profit that the film makes. You should check the exact terms before going ahead with this type of contract or agreement.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours on a shoot would often be long and irregular according to the demands of a production, and may include evenings and weekends.
You could work in studios, or at various indoor or outdoor locations, depending on the production. Work may be anywhere in the UK or overseas, so working conditions would vary depending on where the production was filmed.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- creativity and imagination
- good communication and 'people skills'
- the ability to lead and motivate others
- excellent organisational and planning skills
- initiative and problem-solving ability
- decision making ability
- good time management and budget awareness
- calmness under pressure
- awareness of health and safety issues.
What opportunities are there?
As a director, you might work on freelance contracts for production companies, or develop your own projects and raise the money to put them into production. Competition for freelance contracts and for funding is strong.
Contact the UK Film Council or your regional screen agency about any funding that may be available (see Skillset Careers for contact details).
Some jobs are advertised in the trade press and websites, but it is much more common to get work through networking and word of mouth as your reputation grows.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and making contacts (links open in new window):
Mandy.com
Broadcast Freelancer
Grapevine Jobs
Production and Casting Report
PACT Directory (contacts directory)
The Knowledge (contacts directory)
Kays Production Guide (contacts directory)
BBC Film Network Filmmaking Guide
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
