Question by Percussionrocks: What steps do I need to take to be a film director?
I’m fourteen right now, in the 8th grade. When I grow up, I hope to be a film director. What steps shouldI start taking to get into the best film schools?
Best answer:
Answer by MissDeviance
Step One: DO NOT PLAN TO GO TO ANY FILM SCHOOLS.
Seriously. Read Robert Rodriguez’s book, “Rebel without a crew”
http://www.amazon.com/Rebel-without-Crew-23-Year-Old-Filmmaker/dp/0452271878/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272671264&sr=1-1
And ABSOLUTELY get the book by Michael Rabiger, “Directing”
http://www.amazon.com/Directing-Fourth-Techniques-Aesthetics-Screencraft/dp/0240808827/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272671316&sr=1-1
That second book will teach you MORE than you will ever learn from film school.
If you want to get a text that is like an introductory course at film school, get Louis Gianneti’s book “Understanding Movies”:
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Movies-MyCommunicationKit-Louis-Giannetti/dp/0205737544/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272671402&sr=1-1
That book IS a film school text book.
With those 3 books, you can save all the money you WOULD have TOTALLY WASTED on film school and instead can use that money to get a really good Prosumer type digital video camera and a good high-end computer and the entire Adobe Suite of software (including Premier Pro and After Effects, just as good on the PC as it is on the Mac, both versions are identical).
Use that money to MAKE really GOOD movies, and that will be all that you need to get a break in the business.
If you want the shocking truth what a waste of money film school is, also check out Dov Simens’ book “From Reel to Deal”:
http://www.amazon.com/Reel-Deal-Everything-Successful-Independent/dp/0446674621/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272671645&sr=1-1
It’s not as good as the other 3 books, but he DOES explain why film schools are a waste of money.
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