Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/movie making

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Expert: - 4/23/2010


Question
hi i`m a 25 graduate of geography i reside in Nigeria and i`v always dreamed of directing and producing movies i have so many movie story ideas but i`v never developed anyone of them i would like to go to film school but i don't have the finances. how do you advice i proceed and what do you think really determines if i have the talent for movie directing and production. thanks

Answer
Charles,

Thanks for writing. I would suggest that you get your hands on a video camera, a computer on which you can download the video footage, and a software program that will allow you to edit your footage. Then find a story your passionate about, cast some actors, and make your own film. It probably will not be that good the first time out - most aren't - but you'll learn a lot by doing it. And every time you make another film, hopefully you'll get better and better. And that's the only way you're going to know if you truly have any talent at making films.

Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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