Researching My Role

As my idea was the one chosen for our project, I have been elected director. 

A director is someone who: controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualises the screenplay while guiding the technical crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. 

Described by the website Career Explorer the director is in charge of the three areas of film making: pre-production, production and post-production. 

An important distinction to make is the different between a director and a producer. 

• A director controls the film's artistic and dramatic aspects
• A producer initiates, coordinates, supervises and controls matters surrounding funding, hiring and distribution 

The director works with the producers and casting directors in pre-production, director of photography and first assistant director in production and editors in post. 

The Prospects website describes the different responsibilities for a director to include:

• Reading scripts
• Work with writers
• Select actors with the casting directors
• Monitor rehearsals
• Direct actors during filming
• Select locations during filming
• Hold meetings with key departments
• Agree the budget and schedule of the film with the producer
• Supervise all creative aspects of production
• Work with the editor on the final visual product of the film
• Select music for the final film and/or work with a composer
• Build and develop a network of contacts
• Maintain contemporary technical skills
• Have an awareness and knowledge of emerging industry trends

The ScreenSkills and Prospects website outlines particular traits a director needs to have to excel in the role:

• Leadership
• Imagination
• Arts knowledge
• Knowledge of production
• Staying calm under pressure

• Creative flair
• Initiative and problem solving ability
• Excellent communication
• Diplomacy and sensitivity
• Motivational and leadership skills
• The ability to work under pressure
• Excellent time management skills
• Attention to detail

Some of the most famous directors include:

• Martin Scorsese
• Steven Spielberg
• Quentin Tarantino 
• Alfred Hitchcock
• Christopher Nolan
• Tim Burton

And some of my personal favourite directors include:

• Greta Gerwig 
• Olivia Wilde

In order to prepare for my role I have listened to podcasts where these two directors talk about their creative process, this has helped me focus on mine and consider what it is I like from their films. 

One particular point that has stuck with me was shared by Greta in a interview where she talked about colour palettes and how each of the characters in Little Women (2019) had their own palette. Colour was also used to differentiate between the childhood nostalgia of the flashbacks and the cold harsh reality of the future.