Q&A: "How to be a professional film director."

Well, there are plenty of answers out there, and here is one of mine.

Directing is an art and a craft that requires a blend of creativity, leadership, and quick thinking. Besides just being a storyteller, being a director means you're constantly bombarded with questions throughout the entire filmmaking process. It's a non-stop decision-making marathon. Quick, decisive, and cohesive decision-making is key.

I've realized many directors, especially young ones, struggle to make clear decisions because they're often trying to find answers to the wrong questions.

Let’s say we’re shooting a horror film where Cindy, a young woman returning home after work, is unaware there's a ghost in her house.

Someone asks, "How should we frame the next shot?" How would you approach the question?

Well, my approach is to take a step back and ask a question about the question at hand. Instead of looking for an answer to "How should we frame the next shot?" I ask, "What’s the purpose of the shot?

Hmmm. the purpose of the next shot might be:

• To build suspense as Cindy unknowingly walks into danger.

• To reveal Cindy's fatigue and vulnerability as she unwinds in her home after work.

• To foreshadow the presence of the ghost in a subtle yet chilling way.

• To heighten the audience's sense of anticipation and fear.

Then, I plug those purposes back into the original question. Voilà, here is my answer:

"To build suspense, show Cindy's fatigue and vulnerability, subtly foreshadow the ghost, and increase the audience's anticipation and fear, frame the shot with Cindy entering while a shadow moves unseen by her but visible to the audience."

By knowing the purpose of the next shot, even if I don’t have a specific shot in mind, I can always discuss this with my DP, who can translate it into a great shot.

Another example: When someone asks, "What kind of backpack should the main character carry?" Here, many might think, "It's just a backpack; it doesn’t matter."

WRONG!

Since the backpack is intentionally stated in the script, it has a purpose—to show who the character is.

So, let’s say John, our character, is a college student. The bag belongs to him. Instead of jumping to a conclusion (Let's give him a brand bag), I will ask, “What kind of student is he?” Is he a cool kid? A nerd? A rebel? A rich kid? A poor kid? You name it. Here, let's say he is an underdog. Then Voilà, I have my answer!

The purpose of the backpack is to show John is an underdog. Now, I can either make the decision myself or leave it to the art director to do their job.

There are countless facets to becoming a professional director. But to me, this is one crucial step in mastering the craft that’s not commonly mentioned. It doesn't just streamline your decision-making; it elevates the storytelling process, bringing depth and clarity to every frame. Since it takes practice to be good at it, I adopt it even when I write.

Mastering the art of asking the right questions is just one step on your journey to becoming a professional director. Embrace this approach, and you'll bring greater depth and clarity to your storytelling.

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