Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/A few questions

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/12/2007


Question
Dear Phil Nemy,

I am doing an independent study on directors for my class at Barbers Hill Intermediate. I was wondering if you could answer a couple of questions I have about directors.First off, can you tell me a couple of famous directors you know? Second, how long does it take to become a director? And the last question I have is what does it take to become a director? Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Tyler Anders

Answer
Tyler,

Thanks for writing. Here are your answers:

1)  I've worked with Tony Scott, Michael Bay, Alan Pakula, Simon West, Steve Zaillian, and many more.

2) For some, it can take a long time to become a succesful film director.  For others, it can happen more quickly. There is no standard length of time that it takes to become a successful director.

3) It takes talent to become a director. You must know how to tell a story visually in an engaging and compelling manne. You must be great with actors and know how to get the performance from them that you need.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.