Creating a Short Film: 05 Directing

Directing movies means being in charge of all creative decisions on a movie set: performance, wardrobe, lights, camera movement, color palette, music, and the overall tone of the film. Some directors focus on directing actors, while others focus on telling stories, building explosive moments of action, or creating visual art. Here filmmaker Chad Perkins explains the role and responsibilities of a director on a small, independent film.

Watch and learn how to shoot a script, using visual motifs, atmospherics, framing, and different types of shots to tell the film’s story. Find out how to give direction to your crew and be a good leader, while staying on budget and on schedule. Plus, get tips to improve shots during retakes or in post, and to become a better director, storyteller, and communicator.

Note: Like the rest of the Creating a Short Film series, this course was shot during the production of The Assurance. It offers a unique window into the actual struggles and challenges filmmakers have to overcome to get films made. Find the rest of the courses in the series on Chad’s author page.

Topics include:

What a director does

Interpreting the script

Scouting locations

Choosing the tone and theme of the film

Using motifs

Shaping the story through visuals

Being a good leader on set

Respecting budgets and schedules

Planning shots

Moving the camera: on a tripod or dolly or in handheld shots

Using rolling takes

Framing shots

Adding atmospherics

Directing in post-production

Becoming a better director