Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 10/8/2010

Question
Hi, I'm 14 and I'm very interested in becoming a movie
director. I love being behind the curtain as much as I love
being in front of it. I really would like to start directing
some plays, or musicals. I take a Theatre Arts class at my
high school and have been on stage crew in many past
productions my middle school put on. I want to get started
but I have no idea how. Most theatres in my town would
likely not hire me as director. What should I do?
Maeghan

Answer
Hi there, Meaghan...And thanks for writing.

Congrats on being interested and taking a step today toward your goal.  That is the first key to remember - taking steps.

Secondly, I commend you for being involved in theatre and being involved in many different ways.  It is my opinion and experience that those directors who are aware of and know much about every area of their field are the best directors.

One of the first things you can do is begin to read about directing.  Read anything and everything you can find in your library and online.  Begin to become familiar with what directing is and who directs and the styles out there.  

Secondly, go to the teacher for Theatre Arts and ask them if you can assist the director for any plays or musicals that are coming up - Assistant Director.  That would be a great way to begin.  Also tell them that you are very interested in Assistant Directing in any theatres.  Ask them if they can possibly introduce you to any directors in those theatres and set up an internship or work experience.

It is important too that you note that directing for the stage is quite different for directing for film.  So directing for school theatre will really help you and I still recommend it.  At the same time, it would be good for you to begin to become an extra on a film set or help with production in some way with an independent film if you can.  By doing that, you will learn also about film production.

There is A LOT you can do to begin to educate yourself and prepare.  The key is that you need to persevere and not give up.  Try different angles and look at different ways to learn.  

When you get out of high school, if you still like film and want to direct film, then it is essential that you attend a film school of some sort to get some education and support.  From there, you can make a choice of what to do and create.

Does that help you?

Great question.

Wanda