Role of Director | Research

One of my roles during the project as directing throughout pre-production, production and post-production. Before I start writing my directors statement and making decisions on this project, I wanted to do some research on the role of a director.

The range of the director's tasks is quite broad and involves quite a lot of coordinating creative actives throughout the whole course of production - pre-production, production, post-production & marketing the final project. The director liaises with multiple roles within the process, and will deliberate over ideas and options, which will eventually lead to a decision being made by the director as to what will actually be produced. One of the most important things they do is make sure the production runs smoothing and within the allotted budget given.
Therefore, technically the director has two jobs:

- Maintain a consistency of style and quality throughout the production.
- Ensure the the production proceeds efficiently and economically.

During the pre-production stage, the director has 4 main tasks, alongside minor ones.

1. Collaborating with the writer(s) on the development of the script.
2. Helping the casting director in hiring actors appropriate for the jobs, and arranging rehearsals.
3. Working with the producer(s) in developing a shooting schedule for the production days.
4. Planning the overall visual "look" of the film with the production designers and DOP (director of Photography).

As I am one of the writers, it will be easier for me in terms of the development of the script and knowing when blocking needs to change, depending on the locations. Since theres only three roles within our project, we have decided to all be involved in the audition process. I will be there looking for good actors for the specific roles, Laura will find the actors and will be looking for if they are practically good for the role, and Nisserin will be looking for watchable performances and if the actors are good on camera or not. I will be working with Laura for the schedule, and make overall visual and content decisions on the project.

During the production stage, so the actual shot, the director has to do a lot of multitasking to make sure that all of the tasks are being done in a good manner and solving any problems that may occur. The director works with the DOP in supervising the set up of the lighting and camera equipment, making sure they are in the correct places. Then the director needs to review the shots on the cameras and make sure they are all as they should be, along with making sure the set is set up properly. I'll check with Nisserin on the camera shots that will be shot and we'll both make sure that the cameras are where they should be. The director must then block with the actors, and tell them where they should be standing and what action to be doing when. This stage is usually done with the AD in the production, but as we don't have an AD in our project, it will be my job to block the actors. The director's main job on the day is to give the actors direction and instructions when they are delivering the character's role, to ensure that the character is portrayed correctly and they are doing the right action.

Then during post-production, the director will work alongside the editor, and make sure it is edited in the right way. They will give suggestions and an overall brief to the editor, and then they will change certain aspects of the edit if needed.

As a director for our project, I will need to make sure that I am happy with the overall decisions that I make on the visual look of the show and the content. I will also be working alongside both Nisserin and Laura in specific jobs. I'll work with Nisserin when creating the storyboard and shot list, and when we block all of the scenes in the location we will be using. We'll also work together in the sense that I will tell her my wants and desires for the visuals of the show, and Nisserin will make it happen. I'll work with Laura when finding actors and deciding who will be playing what character, and also in deciding what location to use for each scene. I'll also make sure the schedule we make together is always updated and everyone is sure about what is planned for our project, and they know what they are doing on the day.

Through previous directing jobs, over the years, I have improved with skill and I feel confident that I know what I and doing going into this project. I am adamant that I will make sure everyone is confident with what they are doing, that way no one is confused and everything runs smoothly. I am looking forward to this whole process, and I think everyone will stay on top of their own jobs, so the outcome will be successful.

http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Criticism-Ideology/Direction-RESPONSIBILITIES.html