The Truth about Learning How to Be a Film Director

Directing films is a job that despite some stories about lucky people, requires an education. Yes, Quentin Tarantino dropped out of high school and never went to film school. But that is rare.
There are many college programs available that offer access to the latest lights, cameras, and film making technology -- but the truth is, the best education for a film career is on the job training. Education requirements for learning the techniques means you can get certification for the technical aspects of film making. The work as a director can be challenging, yet flexible and very rewarding. Courses of study often focus on the elements of a successful film plot, characters, and style.

Directors need to know every aspect of a film's production, from editing to cinematography to digital and sound effects. Many of you probably already have inexpensive modern digital cameras and editing software at home. This just means that film making and directing has never been more accessible to the average person, so there is lots of competition out there. Very few first time directors get to work on million dollar budget summer blockbusters. Directors usually have to work their way up, sometimes by directing commercials or music videos. And salaries for film and movie directors are unpredictable at best.

There are plenty of websites including our own, that can help serious filmmakers, such as imbd.com, dv.com, or indietalk.com. There are forums where independent movie makers gather to discuss tips and tricks. Like our own at the Film Connection, which hosts videos of our mentor teachers helping anyone who wants to learn how to be a film director. The Film Connection Directing School is accredited and will prepare you for all the steps to make your own feature film, music video or commercial. You get to work under the direct supervision of a professional director in the film industry. Usually within six months, you'll have all the experience, knowledge and connections you need to direct your first feature. The Entertainment Film Connection (http://www.film-connection.com/) will find a mentor professional --a film, commercial or music video director -- that's about 90 minutes or less from where you live.

If you get accepted into our film program, this professional filmmaker will become your personal tutor, or a private mentor, and will teach you just about all you need to know get into the film business, In addition to that, your mentor will introduce you to his or her connections in the film business. You will get to work on real movie, TV, commercial or music video projects.

This method is proven to work, and it sure beats sitting in some overcrowded, overpriced college classroom. Check out what our students and mentors are saying about a career in film directing on YouTube.