Film and TV directors are some of the most respected individuals in the industry. With a clear vision, they oversee all creative aspects of production, bringing the script from the page to the screen.

To learn what it takes to build a successful career as a director, we talked to several professionals working in film and television, including Bola Ogun (The Witcher, Shadow and Bone, Lucifer). Ogun boils down the job of a director to three words: tell the story. 

“[It] sounds super basic, but I think a lot of people are confused about what ‘story’ is sometimes,” explains Ogun. “They’re always focused on the flashier things like car chases or fight punches, but sometimes it’s just about the themes of the story; what are you trying to say?”

Though the director is commonly thought of as the person who directs an actor’s performance, telling the story is a responsibility that spans every stage of the filmmaking process.

Development

A director may get hired after a film gets the green light to go into production. In many cases, though, they are part of the filmmaking process from the very beginning.

They may be the screenwriter on a project, or they might team up with the screenwriter to get the script to a place where studios, production companies, and financiers want to back it.

During this time, the director’s vision for the project begins taking shape. They must not only know why the story is worth telling, but also how to tell the story in a way that will resonate with audiences. 

Pre-production

Once a project moves into pre-production, a director’s responsibilities quickly ramp up.

They work with the screenwriter on rewrites, and begin translating their ideas into concrete visuals, including rough storyboards and shot lists. 

Check out how Martin Scorsese, one of the most famous film directors of all time, uses storyboards to prepare for production.

The director also participates in the hiring of other key crew, including the storyboard artist, cinematographer, production designer, and head costume designer. While the producer handles all the logistical aspects of this hiring process, the director is responsible for aligning all the crew members with their intended creative vision for the film.

The director will likewise work with the casting director and their associates during the casting phase of pre-production and give the final say as to who is chosen for a given role.

Production

Production, or principal photography, is when a director starts officially capturing their vision on film or video. A significant part of their day-to-day duties involves working with the crew, including the cinematographer, production designer, and head costume designer, as well as the producer(s) to turn their vision into reality.

Director Coralie Fargea earned widespread acclaim for her bold, creative vision in The Substance. Watch how she collaborated with multiple departments to bring that vision to life.

Once a scene is ready to be shot, the director guides the actors through their performances, offering notes, refinements, and emotional support until they are happy with the take. 

Post-production

Many directors are heavily involved in post-production, as sound, color, shot selection, and scene pacing can make or break their vision.

They will generally work closely with the editor of the film, as well as the re-recording mixer, sound designer, colorist, and composer to guide the final look and sound of the project.

If a project includes visual effects, the director will also work with the visual effects supervisor to ensure that those effects are created and implemented as needed.

How Much Do Film Director’s Make?

Directors are often some of the highest paid creatives on-set, typically earning $250K to $2M on studio-backed films.¹ However, a film director’s salary can vary wildly from one medium to another, as well as from project to project. For low-budget projects, such as short films or micro-budget indie features, a director might even work for free.

How Are Film Director’s Paid?

A director’s salary is specified in their contract and is typically divided into a weekly rate. Some also earn a share of the film’s net profits, called backend points.

The exact rates are based on many variables, including union minimums, the film’s budget, the director’s notoriety, and the negotiation skills of the director and/or their agent.

As one of Hollywood’s most famous directors, Christopher Nolan was able to secure a rare 15% cut of Oppenheimer’s “first-dollar gross,” meaning the film’s revenue before any costs are deducted. As a result, he made nearly $100 million off the film², shattering records and highlighting how a director’s notoriety can boost their earnings.

Do you aspire to be a top-earning director like Steven Spielberg or Christopher Nolan?  Listen to the latter talk about his career directing movies.

DGA Feature Film Rates

If we’re talking about union feature films – even those with a lower budget – the director can potentially earn between $250,000 to $2 million. These figures typically correlate with a director being part of the DGA – the Directors Guild of America – that sets rates for its members. Currently, the weekly rate is $22,853 for a high-budget film and $16,321 for a short or documentary.

DGA Television Rates

In television, a director in the DGA can earn a minimum of $31,387 per episode for a half-hour network (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) show. That rate can increase for a longer show but can also be significantly lower for programs that air on cable or streaming.

Non-Union Rates

If a director is not yet part of the DGA, their salary again can be significantly lower. Moreover, a director may have substantial breaks between projects, which may mean that they only get paid for only one or two projects in a given year.

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Is It Easy to Become a Film Director?

Many people aspire to direct films, making it a highly competitive field. Unlike producers and actors, there’s usually only one director per film, further limiting opportunities.

Becoming a director on a major theatrical is especially difficult, with less than 1,000 studio-backed films released per year.³ 

Fortunately, the increase in streaming, new media, and self-distribution platforms, combined with the rise of low-cost, high-quality filmmaking technology, have created more opportunities than ever for filmmakers to direct content.

Building a Career Outside of Cinema

Many aspiring film directors build a portfolio and earn their income outside of feature films, whether that be working on commercials, television shows, documentaries, or digital series. For instance, did you know the Everything Everywhere All At Once directing duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert got their start directing music videos?⁴

Opportunities for Diverse Directors

With a greater focus on providing gateways for individuals who historically have had a more difficult time breaking into the directing world, namely women and people of color, several programs have been created over the last few years to help aspiring directors.

Some of these programs include the AFI DWW+ and NewFest’s Black Filmmakers Initiative.

If you’re wondering how to become a director, the truth is there’s no one right answer. The career path to directing can be just as individualized as the person seeking it. It often comes down to an individual’s ability to convince enough people that they are the right person to tell the story.

However, aspiring directors should consider these common steps recommended by industry professionals to build a career:

Study the Artform

Film schools across the globe offer directing tracks for students, which may be the starting point for many aspiring directors. However, not all directors come from a technical filmmaking background. Others might choose to study acting, cinematography, screenwriting, or even less obvious fields like psychology or journalism to enrich their filmmaking approach.

Network With Industry Professionals

Making connections within the film industry increases an aspiring director’s ability to land jobs, whether that be on a short film or a Hollywood blockbuster.

Networking with working directors can lead to incredible mentorship opportunities, such as shadowing the director on set. A strong and diverse professional network also helps a director assemble a team when they’re trying to get a project off the ground.

Work on Film Sets

It’s important to reach out for opportunities early in one’s career, as there’s no substitute for on-set experience. Working in production can help an aspiring director gain the knowledge, experience, and understanding needed to convince enough people that they have what it takes to direct a project.

Apply to Mentorship Programs

Emerging directors can also look to any number of mentorship programs in the entertainment industry to aid their professional efforts. For instance, the DGA offers a Directors Development Initiative that pairs TV directors with their more veteran colleagues to help expand their careers.

Build a Professional Portfolio

In the vast majority of instances, a director will not be hired to helm their first feature film unless they have experience in other mediums, such as short films, commercials, or music videos. It’s extremely common to direct projects outside of feature film to build a portfolio of professional work.

Direct Independent Projects

If an aspiring director isn’t finding enough opportunities to gain experience through their connections, they may want to produce a project themselves. Many directors write, direct, and produce shorts or microbudget features that help them demonstrate their skills and voice, and leverage that work for more substantial jobs.

“I started by writing a short film and I directed the short film. I screened that film, I put it in film festivals and that allowed me to get my first feature film,” explains Barba. “That got me my second film, and then on and on.”

A director’s job encompasses far more than just directing the performances of the actors. It’s a combination of technical skills and impactful leadership.

Technical Skills

Because directors are considered the leader of a project, they must know how to interact with virtually every member of the crew, and balance authority with creative collaboration. 

Is it easy to become a director? James Cameron lays out what you must do to find your place in the industry. 

That means understanding to some degree the major facets of making a movie. The different skillsets of being a film director include knowledge of:

• Screenwriting
• Cinematography
• Acting
• Production design
• Sound
• Editing

While a director doesn’t have to be an expert in all of these specialties, they must know how to communicate their vision for the film to the people who are. This will help them earn the trust and respect of the crew, even when unexpected obstacles arise.

Soft Skills

In addition, as the go-to leader of a production, a director must master these soft skills:

• Creating a cohesive vision for the project
• Managing the give-and-take of creative collaboration and compromise with other department heads
• Working within budgetary confines
• Supporting the actors through their creative process and getting the best performances out of them
• Remaining focused and motivational even when things go wrong

This very unique skillset can be attained both with formal education and on-set experience.

A formal film education can play an important role in giving a director early momentum for their career.

Film School

Film school can teach aspiring directors the technical skills required in this field, and offer opportunities for a director to test out the process in a low-risk environment.

“The biggest thing that I got from USC was an exposure to the idea that being a filmmaker was both being an artist and being an entrepreneur,” explains Cassius Corrigan (Huracán, The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez). “That was so compelling to me because I had always felt like those were two aspects of my character.”

For some, it’s the perfect place to start networking with peers. Students often find themselves surrounded by aspiring screenwriters, actors, and cinematographers, and hold on to those connections even after they graduate. For instance, after meeting at the American Film Institute (AFI), Director Darren Aronofsky and Cinematographer Matthew Libatique collaborated on a number of major releases, including Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream.⁵

Academy Award-winning Director Spike Lee reveals his #1 piece of advice he tells his film students at New York University.

On-The-Job Training

If going to college isn’t an option, aspiring directors can still make connections with those who do. Often, student filmmakers will post notices about needing extra help – such as for production assistants – which can be a great way for an aspiring director to start getting that on-set experience.

Those just starting out can also look to see if any local productions are in need of extra help. With enough time and connections made, an aspiring director can work their way up to actually directing a film one day.

Mentorship Programs

As mentioned, the DGA offers mentorship programs that connect aspiring directors with filmmaking veterans.

Other programs include the Disney Entertainment Content Directing Program, NBCU Launch Directors Program | Female Forward, Paramount Directing Initiative, and Warner Bros. Discovery Access Directors Program. Each of these programs affords aspiring directors – especially BIPOC and women directors – the chance to further develop their skillsets.

There are many professional organizations to check out if you want to keep learning about how to become a director. Along with mentorship programs, the Directors Guild of America provides podcasts, Director Q and As, and film industry guides.

There are also paid online educational platforms like Masterclass which includes courses from the likes of Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, and Aaron Sorkin.

Ogun also recommends checking out the many free educational courses and videos available to directors. “Youtube is a really great tool,” he explains, “I watch so many film critique channels like The Closer Look, Lessons from the Screenplay, Wisecrack, and StudioBinder. It’s basically free film school.”

Of course, simply watching the films of great directors is an invaluable resource, no matter where a director is at in their career. As Steven Spielberg once said, “I try to rent a John Ford film before I start every movie simply because he inspires me. He’s like a classic painter; he celebrates the frame, not just what’s inside.”⁶