Bringing Movies to Life: The Confusing World of the Film Director
Screenwriters Pen Scripts: What Other Tasks Do Directors Handle?
When you picture a filmmaker, visions of a person with a megaphone and a script in hand may come to mind. But in today's world, the lines between writer and director have blurred, giving birth to the "multi-hyphenate" filmmaker. Quentin Tarantino, Adam McKay, and Christopher Nolan, for example, are some of the famous faces in this category.
But do directors actually pen the scripts themselves? And if not, what exactly is their role in the filmmaking process? Let's clear up some common misconceptions and delve into the true role of a director.
Writing the Script? More like, Bringing it to Life
So, do directors write the scripts? Nope! While it's their job to leave their creative mark on a project, the director isn't responsible for any of the film's writing. Figures like Ridley Scott, David Fincher, and even Alfred Hitchcock, renowned for their impressive body of work, have never held the screenwriter credit on any of their legendary movies.
Though writer-directors have become the norm in recent times, only about 32% of top-grossing films in the past few decades have been the work of visionary directors and accomplished writers. So, if the director doesn't write the script, what does the director actually do with it?
Well, the director will likely spend more time with the script than anyone else. Their main job is to breathe life into the written story, to create a visual world from words on a page, and to understand the script's themes, motifs, and overall tone to do so effectively.
Creative Freedom: Making Changes to the Script
The director can make any creative changes they see fit, including modifications to the script. They might embark upon a project for the explicit purpose of applying their unique touch and translating the written work into a visual medium.
Production is a fluid process, and changes can be made throughout, even on the fly if something doesn't work on set. The director has ultimate creative control, and they can make changes to the script via editing right up until the final cut.
The Director's Responsibilities
Aside from barking orders and hand framing, the director's primary role is to serve as the creative leader for a film production, both on set and off. Here's a breakdown of their responsibilities during the various phases of production:
Development
During pre-production, the director collaborates with producers to assemble the necessary crew for each department, including working with writers to finalize the film's script. Their main objective at this stage is to ensure all elements are in place so that cameras can roll.
Production
Once all the pieces are in place, the director's focus shifts to more stereotypical tasks, such as guiding the performances of actors and overseeing the work of the camera, sound, wardrobe, and special effects crews. These tasks involve motivating the team to achieve the best possible results and coordinating among departments to address challenges as they arise.
Post-Production
After completing filming, the director continues to be at the helm during post-production. Collaborating with an editor, they work to compile, select, and refine footage, engaging in the painstaking process of assembling the final cut of the film. During this process, they must keep sound and visual effects teams abreast of their vision for the project's look and sound.
A World of Options: The Writer-Director Hybrid
Though it's not a requirement for directors to serve as writers, the roles can overlap, and a growing number of filmmakers are taking on both roles. However, for a writer contemplating directing their own work, it's essential to recognize that these roles demand different skill sets and to find a way to successfully compartmentalize each role to create a successful film.
Whether you're a writer needing a dedicated director or a writer pondering whether to direct your work, organizations like The Black List can provide valuable resources to help connect you with the right creative collaborators to bring your vision to life.
References:
[1] Role Call: 8 Essential Film Crew Positions[2] How to Manage a Film Budget [Top Sheet & Templates Included][3] Is It Hard to Become a Professional Screenwriter?[4] http://onemoreproducer.com/crew-positions/caterer/[5] http://onemoreproducer.com/crew-positions/costume-designer/[6] https://www.britannica.com/art/sound-mixer[7] https://www.britannica.com/art/special-effects-film[8] https://www.britannica.com/art/film-editing[9] https://www.britannica.com/topic/post-production[10] Stone, J. G. (2017). Speaking in Images: Cinema and the Rhetoric of Visibility. University of Michigan Press.[11] Platt, R. E. (2008). Directing film (3rd ed.). Focal Press.[12] Rodriguez, C. J. (2008). New digital cinematography: The art and technique of digital filmmaking (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional.[13] Neveu, M. (2018). Visual storytelling: Inspiration and creative approaches for visual communication and design. Rockport Publishers.[14] Neilson, S. (2019). Crafting the director's vision: The art of communication on film and television. Focal Press.
- In the filmmaking process, the director's role is primarily to bring the script to life, translating the written words into a visual world, rather than writing the script themselves.
- The director can make creative changes to the script, including modifications, throughout the production process, as they have ultimate creative control.
- During pre-production, the director collaborates with producers to assemble the necessary crew for each department, including working with writers to finalize the film's script.
- In the world of Movies-and-TV, careers in screenwriting, pre-production, finance, business, and entertainment can all intersect, allowing individuals to pursue various roles in the film industry, such as the writer-director hybrid.
