What does a director do and how to become one?

Being a director is a cherished dream of many young people. Despite the fact that few people gain fame in the profession, graduates of this specialty still get a unique opportunity to constantly realize their creative potential and find jobs even in the most unexpected spheres.

The director can be called the head of any creative team. The description of the profession makes it clear that the range of its activities is extremely wide: he works with the script, directs the work of lighting and sound engineers and, of course, works with the actor, telling him exactly how he should appear in the frame. This person is also involved in casting and sketching, working with camera angles and colors. In addition to the prestigious profession of filmmaker, a graduate of this specialty is able to become the head of a theater, circus or any other art troupe.

A talented specialist has the opportunity to prove himself even in areas that are not at first glance related to the profession, such as the creation of computer games or mobile applications. Some directors organize weddings and birthdays, others direct opera groups, and others organize concerts. By the way, not one director, but several may be involved in the most popular occupation - making films.In addition to the main person who directs the entire filming process and is called the stage director, his assistant, called the second director, is most often present on the set.

The duties of the director include ensuring a continuous creative process and meeting deadlines, improving existing productions and introducing new ones into the repertoire, conducting casting and, if necessary, expanding the cast. The director’s “hand” is visible in the creation of sketches, costumes, special effects and scenery. He organizes rehearsals and coordinates the work of all staff.

In principle, this specialist may be partially responsible for the promotion. The editing director creates a single film from individual films, and the event director controls the quality of the celebration. The duties of a mapping director include the implementation of laser shows and three-dimensional projections, and the clip maker thinks through and implements the production of music videos.

One of the main advantages of the director’s profession is the ability to fully realize his creative potential. An ambitious and conceited person will like the opportunity to work with recognized masters of their craft and well-known experts, as well as gain popularity in certain circles. The combination of talent and work, sooner or later, should lead to good incomes. An important component of a prestigious profession is the ability to travel around the country and around the world, as well as meet a lot of new people.

The disadvantage of the director’s profession is the rather difficult path to success. Hundreds of young directors graduate from specialized schools every year, but only a few achieve fame. As a result, many of them, instead of shining at the awards, organize holidays, work in chamber theaters or shoot short films. It must be added that even the preparatory stage — admission to the university itself — causes certain difficulties. As a rule, more than 25 people can apply for one place.

Emotional stress and an irregular schedule often lead not only to creative crises, but also to serious health problems. Finally, it must be mentioned that quite difficult working conditions sometimes turn out to be incompatible with family life.

Not every person has a predisposition to become a director.

Of course, creativity is what any director needs. It is important that he knows how to think unbanally, find a way out of difficult situations, pay attention to details and even create a finished picture in his head at the preparatory stage. This person should be charismatic, able to find a common language with anyone and successfully organize a global workflow. Of course, a good director has the makings of a leader. Another important qualities of a specialist are unique style and vision of the world, energy and sense of humor.

Since the director is the unequivocal leader of the ongoing creative process, he must simultaneously create and manage. This means that it is not recommended to go into the profession to modest and sandwiched people who are afraid to make important decisions and who are not able to give instructions to others.

A good director is not just a talented creator floating in the clouds, but also an excellent specialist who understands camera work, editing, acting and screenwriting, and, of course, the director itself. A huge plus will be a broad outlook and knowledge of culture, art and history. I must say that during the entrance exams for the specialty “Directing”, the erudition of applicants is evaluated with particular bias. For example, in the framework of just one interview, a future student may be asked how he relates to Nietzsche, who is Marcus Aurelius and in what films Oleg Tabakov starred.

It is important for the director to constantly improve himself: read books, “absorb” the experience of the great, listen to music (from classical to contemporary compositions) and constantly receive new information.

To become a director, you can study at a theater college or university, enrolling in an educational institution either after 9 or after grade 11. In college, you can start getting education in related areas, for example, "Animation" or "Socio-cultural activity." After college, higher education will be able to get in the areas of "Directing the theater", "Directing the film and television", etc.

Those applicants who become students of the directing department must provide the exam results in such subjects as literature, the Russian language, history or social studies. but much more important is the successful passage of a creative test and interview, which almost always determines the verdict of the admissions committee.

As for educational institutions, of course, one should focus on the proven universities and colleges, located mainly in the capital and St. Petersburg. For instance, it would be nice to submit documents to the largest educational institution in Europe GITIS in the direction of theater directing or go to the Moscow State Psychological and Pedagogical University, allowing you to learn how to direct film and television.

The specialty “Directing Films and Televisions”, taught at the All-Russian State University of Cinematography named after S. A. Gerasimov, or “Setting up and organizing theatrical performances and festivals” in the Moscow Institute of Fine Arts, has proved to be quite good.

but the most prestigious universities for future directors still include GITIS, VGIK, MGPU, TI them. B. Schukin, SPbGUP and SPbGIK. Recommended colleges that train directors include MGKI, MGTK named after L. A. Filatov and TXTK. If directing is chosen as an additional education, then you should go to the Higher School of Directors and Scriptwriters.

After training, the newly-minted director can start his career at film studios and television centers, in agencies involved in producing activities, or in various theaters. For a specialist of this profile, cooperation with singers, dancers and musicians is also possible, as well as activities in event organizing agencies and large holdings. Of course, participation in independent projects and private interaction with customers are always welcome.

The salaries of eminent directors are very high, but graduates will have to start small. It should be remembered that the maximum payment will be obtained by working in the field of cinema, theater and television, and the amount earned will depend on the presence of an impressive portfolio, and on one’s own talent, and on the education received. On average, the fees of a theater or circus director vary from 15 to 40 thousand rubles, but a television specialist receives from 50 to 70 thousand rubles. For a successfully completed film project, the director can earn an amount starting from several hundred thousand rubles.

See who the director is in the next video.