Expert: Troy Heinzman - 7/21/2003

Question
Becoming a movie director
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Hi. I decided to pursue a career of a movie director. I have ideas similar to Matrix and Terminator movies, you know, those cool ideas. But I am not good in writing a script and making an interesting plot, creating humor in situations. I wonder whether it is possible to hire someone who would create a good story based on my idea. I have a sceleton story, but it would look a little boring I think, I need to add some interesting moments, humor etc. I also wonder what percentage of the money everyone gets. Who are producers? How much money director, producer and leading actors get? How should I break in into a movie industry having only this idea on how events would go on, how it will starts, finishes, special effects involved.  

Answer
There are many aspiring writers who could write a script based on your ideas. Some writers love collaborations as it is called.

The Producers are the people who finance the movie. They put up the money to have the movie made and in turn get a percentage of the profits.

The Director is usually the lowest paid of the three you mentioned, unless he/she is a big name director. The leading actors get paid depending on the size of the star. (800,00 to 3 million for middle of the road).

I have included a link to an interesting article for you.

http://www.people-one.com/hub/careeroptions/careeroptions_moviedirector.asp

Thank you.