2. Directing
◦ Directing requires a certain set of skills, some of them
being creative thinking, good communication skills and
ability to successfully manage your free time.
◦ Mos importantly, a spiring director must be self-driven.
◦ This job often offers flexible working hours
◦ As a director you are given a relatively wide range of
creative freedom.
◦ Although having a film related academic past would
be beneficial in becoming successful as a director,
experience is what matters more. This makes directing
a perfect option for self-motivated people with no
interest in going into higher education
3. Women comprised 16% of
directors working on the top
grossing films in 2020, up from
12% in 2019 and 4% in 2018.
Women accounted for 18% of
directors on the top 250 films, up
from 13% in 2019 and 8% in
2018.
The film industry is strongly dominated
by male gender. Although some would
argue that the film industry has
developed over time into more inclusive
environment for women, statistics still
expose the bitter truth about inequality
in the industry.
99% of women working in
the film and TV industries
have experienced sexism'.
Women in the film industry
4. Practitioner Wes Andersson
Known for directing Grand Budapest Hotel and Fantastic Mr. Fox, Anderson is an American film director
and screenwriter. Born on the 1st of May 1969 in Houston, Texas, Wesley Wales Anderson started to develop his passion for
the art of film as a child. Using his father's Super 8 camera, young Wesley liked to create silent film, often featuring his two
brothers and friends as min actors.
While trying to cope with the disintegration of his parents' marriage, Anderson often misbehaved at school. After graduating
from St. John’s School (which he later used as a prominent location throughout Rushmore.) Wes decided to study philosophy
at the University of Texas ay Austin, putting his love for film and theatre aside. He earned a degree in philosophy alongside
writing partner Owen Wilson, who he met in a playwriting class and ended up creating his first ever film with.
‘After this class, Anderson recalls running into
Wilson, and the two "started talking about
writers, but we also talked about movies right
off the bat," he said to Interview Magazine in
2009. "I knew I wanted to do something with
movies. I don't know if he had realized yet that
it was an option." The two eventually became
roommates and worked on a script for a full-
length movie they called Bottle Rocket.’
https://www.biography.com/filmmaker/wes-anderson
5. Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson is best known for his unique film
making style. Visuals are a primary example of
what makes his films so intriguing to a potential
viewer. Anderson’s visual style is also often self-
reflexive, drawing attention to the very act of
looking.
The imagery is well thought through,
emphasising colour schemes and symmetry. Wes
Anderson wants us to look at the edges of the
screen, as well as the middle, appreciating every
little detail featured in the frame.
Auteur
‘Anderson's films are consistently categorised as
'indie' and 'quirky' because they run parallel to the
glossy, formulaic presentation of a mainstream
Hollywood film’
https://gcamerondow.medium.com/is-wes-anderson-an-
auteur-bca6894993a1
7. 5 Year plan
What are you currently doing to pursue a career in your chosen field?
As for now I am working towards Level 3 diploma from Creative Media, where I’m building
up my portfolio and add to already existing experience with directing, photo and film
editing and using film equipment as well as creative thinking. All those skills I have gained
during my A levels and am currently polishing. They will be, without a doubt, helpful in my
possible future as a film director.
I have also applied to various university courses, some of them being strictly related to
filmmaking.
Outside of my academic life, I am also currently playing the female lead in a Chinese/ British
student production. Being involved with a film production where a professional film
equipment is being used gives me a good idea of what I can expect in the future. I’s also a
great experience worth including in my CV, especially since the director is planning to try put
her production on both British and Chinese film festivals.
8. 5 Year plan
When I start getting university offers, I’ll hopefully get an idea of what
my options are. Once I decide on where I’m going to study, I’ll then
most likely continue my academic experience that hopefully will make
me qualified enough to then finally work in the industry.
After that I would hope to cooperate with people I have met during my
university, apply for as many jobs as possible and hope for the best. My
final goal would be to work as a director, working under A24
production studio is a dream I am working towards.
What do you plan to do next in the pursuit of your chosen field?
9. 5 Year plan
- Film production and Cinematography, Bournemouth University. Provides essential
technical skills and academic skills in order to work in the film industry.
-Television Production, Leeds Trinity. The course still provides you with knowledge
that can be applied to any media form, for example creative writing, however, it
focuses on creating content for modern TV.
- Film Business & Production, Screen and Film School Manchester. This course
focuses on business side of filmmaking, I see it as a brilliant option for if I decide to
change my final goal from directing to film production. The course polishes and
marries creative as well as entrepreneurial skills needed I modern film, screen and
media environment.
Select at least three potential University courses that would help you further your career aims. You should state what the
course is, which university it is run by, the entry requirements and why you think it would help you.
10. 5 Year plan
What matters even more than any degree when it comes to the film industry is the skills
one has (and knows how to use). He most effective way of developing skills such as
creativity, ability to use equipment and edit actual footage as well as improve work ethic, is
to get involved in someone’s project/ start your own small one.
Many student film productions look constantly. Look for actors and set runners. Any
opportunity is wort it as any experience improves on your knowledge and looks good on
your CV.
Apart from that, writing your own scripts and filming amateur films with your friends is what
most big director started with. Building up your portfolio will also be a big help when
applying to university, as some of them value experience above academic achievements.
What type of work experience do you think you would need to help you in your future career? How might
you be able to find work experience placements? If you could pick anywhere to do work experience, where
would it be and why?
11. 5 Year plan
- Creative thinking- simply create, do not limit yourself when coming up with script ideas and any other creative
process you might be involved in. When working on a film, ideas can be developed and worked on, but it’s
important for the director to be open for suggestion and be able to produce unique ideas on their own, This is
what makes films original and causes names to be remembered by the public.
- Technical skills (operating camera equipment, using editing software)- Try to involve yourself with tasks that
require using technical skills, whether it’s figuring stuff on your own or watching a tutorial on the side, the best
way to learn is to produce.
- Organization skills- set yourself weekly tasks and academic/personal goals to achieve. Being self motivated as
well as very organized is what makes a good artist, the studio you’re working for might give you deadlines
and you need to make sure you’re capable of getting your job done, especially when a big amount of budget
is involved.
- Negotiation and communication skills- perform group tasks (at college and work), try to be an active part of
every group in which you’re working in. With time you’ll get an idea of successful and effective ways of putting
you point across and setteling for ideas of other people. Being able to teamwork is a crucial skill to have in
the film industry.
What specific skills do you need to develop? There should be a mix of industry specific skills and
also personal development points. When you identify these, come up with suggestions as to how you might make
those improvements.
