There’s no shame in needing a refresher on filmmaking terms, the sooner you know who’s who, the faster you can get involved. So let’s start with one of the most basic, yet hugely significant roles, the movie director. What is a film director?
Defining Director
What is a movie director?
You’ve seen them win Oscars or have been with them on set, but who are they and what are their main responsibilities?
Film Director Definition
What is a film director?
A film director is a person who works on a movie from conception to distribution. Even though they’re hired by a producer, they’re typically considered the highest on the food chain. They have a huge say in how scenes are shot, both technically and artistically.
They work with all department heads determining what props will be used, what the characters will look like, make decisions regarding lighting, and even writing, etc. The director is involved with the project from pre-production to production and all the way through post-production.
What do film directors do?
- Interpret scripts
- Set tone of film
- Work with department heads
- Help producers cast
- Directs actors and camera
- Works with editors
Understanding the day-to-day tasks of a film director requires more than a brief definition. Check out our next post that dives into what movie directors do.
Up Next
What Does a Director Do?
Our next post we’ll go over the responsibilities of a film director and their key creative and craft considerations for making a film or show. Take a look.
Up Next: What Does a Director Do? →
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