Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Film Directing

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Expert: - 11/25/2007


Question
I am 15 years old and I live in Texas and all my life I wanted  to be a director of film. my question regards what steps do I need to take to make my goal.

Answer
Jo-X,

Thanks for writing. If you want to be a director, you need training. Since you live in TX, make sure you get good grades in High School, then enroll in UT-Austin's Radio, Television, and Film Department and begin developing your talent as a director. Learn as much as you can about narrative filmmaking, how a motion picture and digital video camera works, learn about camera movement and lighting and how they help you tell a story. Learn editing software such as Final Cut Pro or the Avid system. Every good director understand that the REAL art of filmmaking is in editing. Learn as much as you can about the craft of filmmaking, then  find stories you are passionate about and start making your own short films about them.

This is how most good directors start their careers.

Hope this helps. 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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