A FILM SET CAN BE A SCARY PLACE!
A film set can be a scary place if you don't have much production experience, if you're not sure of yourself and if you don't understand the "business or politics of film."
To be a film director today, you need to know what is expected of you when you begin preproduction; when you step on the set; and when you are in the editing room - and to do this successfully, you need to constantly increase your filmmaking knowledge.
The main goal of the "Art and Craft of the Film and Television Director" is to help you discover this knowledge by giving you access to many of the film making resources, tools and techniques required to become a successful, working film and television director.
In his book 'Directing Feature Films', Mark Travis says "The prospect of directing a film is overwhelming. Not only is it not very clear or even agreed upon as to what a director does, but there are very few guidelines or programs for the learning director. There is no particular structure or manual that comes along with the job."
If you have ever spent any time on a film or television production, you know how true that statement is! I also like to quote the legendary film director Frank Capra: "There are no rules in filmmaking. Only sins!"
So please, have a look around the "Art and Craft of the Film and Television Director" and enjoy the experience. I would suggest you bookmark this page now, because I am constantly adding new film and television resources, film directing tips and filmmaking articles.
The "Art and Craft of the Film and Television Director" was created for you, so please take a moment to rate this site by leaving any comments at the end of this page.
Enjoy.
Peter D. Marshall
Website - www.actioncutprint.com
Email - pdm@actioncutprint.com
But before you begin - could you participate in a quick poll? The results will help me decide on the content for all my lenses
When I get a visitor to this filmmaking lens, I have no idea if you are in the film business or not - and if you are in the film or television business, are you a film student, an indie filmmaker or a union professional.
By participating in this quick poll, you will help me decide on future content
for all my filmmaking lenses. Thank you.
Monthly Film Ezine - The Director's Chair
A free monthly Ezine for filmmakers
The Director's Chair is a free monthly ezine published by Peter D. Marshall. It is read by over 2000 subscribers in 100 countries around the world.Here are just some of the articles that have been written over the past 7 years.
1) Working with Actors (Personality Traits)
2) Working with Actors (The Casting Session)
3) Script Breakdown (Script and Scene Analysis)
4) Script Breakdown (Character Analysis)
5) Blocking a Scene
6) Rehearsing a Scene
7) Visual Concept and Colours
8) Staging and Shooting a Fight Scene
9) Staging and Choreography
10) Convergence:The Reality
11) The Commercial Director
12) Open Letter from Your Sound Department
13) Directing Direct Response Television
14) The Director's Prep
15) The Art of Directing
16) Motion Picture Directing
17) Directing as a Helping Profession
18) On Israeli Cinema
19) Pre-Production Activities
20) Directing 101
21) 21st Century Black America Filmmakers
22) Finding Work in the Film & TV Business
23) Television vs Movies
24) Movie Industry Analysis
25) Making a Living in Video and Film
26) The Visual Style of John Woo
27) The Craft of Directing
28) What is Your Goal?
29) Buyers and Sellers
30) Beginning the Deal
31) Dreaming the Impossible Dream?
32) What is a Director?
33) 10 Tips to Market & Promote Your Film
34) A Short History of the Horror Film
35) The Hollywood Pitch Festival
36) What to Avoid in Low Budget Scripts
37) The 12 Biggest Mistakes Directors Make
38) Don't Let Budget Choose Your Format
39) Finding the Right Agent
40) Script Analysis Check List
41) Why S*x Is a Turn-Off for Movie Audiences
42) Finding a Film Job
43) MAKING IT in Film Production!
44) Introduction to "Directing the Money"
45) Translating Ideas Into Money Talk
46) Five Good Producer Skills
47) Using Music Legally in Your Work
48) What is a Pro?
49) African Cinema - An Overview
50) More About African Cinema
51) Music Licensing
52) Digital vs Film
53) The Importance of Securing Chain of Title
54) Tips to Make your Movie Sound Real
55) Producing Films for the Internet
56) INDIE Film Financing
57) DVD Replication for Dummies
58) Good Inexpensive Production Music
59) Producing a Dynamite Demo Reel
60) Film Making in Jordan
61) Breaking Free of Structure Paradigms
Take some time now to check out back issues of The Director's Chair and then sign up for your own free monthly subscription.
Audio Seminar - The Art & Craft of the Director
10 Day Audio/Email Film Directing Seminar by Peter D.Marshall
The Art and Craft of Director 10 Day Audio Seminar is a comprehensive, 10-day audio/email program that will help you gain the knowledge and confidence you need to be a successful film director by providing you with a "road map" to make the path you have chosen less bumpy.
I am very proud of this audio course and I guarantee that if you listen to the entire 10 days, and read all the support material, you will discover many of the tips, techniques and tools a working film director needs to be successful today.
The Art and Craft of Director 10 Day Audio Seminar
Testimonial "Peter offers his years of experience in a clear and comprehensive package that was very enjoyable. I recommend this course for anyone who is already in, or who wants to get into directing." Joe Vautour - Athens, Greece
New posts from my Blog - Film Directing Tips
Filmmaking Tips and Techniques for Film and Television Directors
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byFilm and Television Directing Articles
by Peter D. Marshall
The first time a director works with an actor is usually during the casting session. I will talk more about the actual casting process in another article, but today I want to discuss what you need to know before you enter the casting room... (read more)
Working with Actors: Part 2 (The Casting Session)
When a director first gets a script, you read it through several times to get a feel for what the story is about and who the characters are. As you read the script, you will get an impression of the characters. You then have a meeting with the Producer(s) and the Casting Director to share your ideas of the characters... (read more)
Script Breakdown - Script and Scene Analysis
The first time a director works with an actor is usually during the casting session. I will talk more about the actual casting process in another article, but today I want to discuss what you need to know before you enter the casting room... (read more)
Script Breakdown - Character Analysis
There are many facets of a Director's prep on any film or TV show - from location scouts and creative meetings to casting and scheduling. But the first, and most important part of your job, is to understand the script - what the story is about; the themes; the story points; the characters... (read more)
Blocking a Scene
Blocking is the first, and most crucial, aspect of a 4-part sequence. When you first start directing, blocking a scene can be one of the hardest - and most embarrassing - parts of your job. Get it wrong here, and you could waste valuable shooting time trying to get out of the mess you created... (read more)
The Director's Chair Discussion Forum
Only for subscribers of the monthly ezine, "The Director's Chair"
I have created a "new and improved" filmmakers discussion forum for subscribers of The Director's Chair. You will have to register in order to post questions, give answers or add links. All you can do without registering is read the posts.
Please visit this new forum now, sign up and take a look around.
The Director's Chair - Filmmakers Discussion Forum
The Squidoo Film Directing Discussion Group
Have a question about film directing? Post it here to get an answer.
This discussion forum is for anyone interested in film directing and filmmaking.
Gregory da silva, Eggman Cape Town wrote
Greetings from Cape Town South Africa.
Hello, My name is : Gregory da Silva, Famous Eggman, A Comedian Artist Dancer and Storyteller from Cape Town South Africa. I am a Director of African Children Dance Group Cape Town South Africa. I was a Finalist of the Best of Cape Town Awards 2008, Best Performing Arts. If you have any Future Films, Movie Projects in Cape Town South Africa, Please Feel free to contact me in my Mobile: 27 0737507923
In Attachments my Photos. Thanks, God Bless you. Best Regards.
Website: http://eggman.blog.com
Email: eggmanfestival@gmail.com
Mobile South Africa: 27 0737507923
Posted October 19, 2008
neethulakshmy wrote
sir,
i have a clearcut idea about each and every scene which is going to be formed from my script...but how can i tel it to the actor?what will i do if he is not understanding me...please please please reply
Posted August 25, 2008
Andy Six wrote
This is a stupid question, is there a right way and a wrong way to direct music event
Posted June 05, 2008
What is a Film Director?
Film Directing and Being a Film Director
To find out more, Click Here.
Film Making Workshops and Seminars
Presented by Peter D. Marshall
Film Making Workshops
I've been asked many times to share my Film and Television production knowledge with others. As a result, I have developed several workshops that I have successfully presented over the past 15 years - from Canada to Dubai to Singapore.
To find out more about these four workshops, just Click Here.
1) The Art and Craft of the Director
2) How to Design an Accurate Film Shooting Schedule
3) Directing the Actor
4) Acting for the Camera
If you are interested in any of these workshops for yourself or your organization, please Email Me to discuss how we can bring these workshops to your city.
Testimonial - "Peter's workshop was a pivotal event in my mostly self taught filmmaking experience. The best 3 days I've spent. After working with Peter and the other participants in the class, I now have the confidence and knowledge to work with both actors and non-actors and help them achieve the best possible performance. In short, I now feel empowered as a director." Larry D. Barr - Stephenville, Texas, USA
Filmmaking Resource Center and Monthly Ezine
This is my main film directing Website which I created in April 2000
Filmmaking Resources - Monthly Newsletter (The Director's Chair) - Film & Television Bookstore - Filmmaking Workshops - Peter D. Marshall Credit List
So You Wanna Work in Movies?
"A Practical Guide to The Hero with a Thousand Faces"
Joseph Campbell
It's certainly true that this book is having a major impact on writing and story-telling, but above all on movie-making. Aware or not, filmmakers like John Boorman, George Miller, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Francis Coppola owe their successes to the ageless pattern that Joseph Campbell identifies in the book. "Read rest of article here."
VIDEO - Dreams and Symbols: The Hero's Journey in Film
International Film and Television Festivals
Latest information on International film & television festivals
Article - Lights, Camera, Action - 27 ways to better your chance of winning at a film festival by Elizabeth English, Founder & Executive Director of the Moondance International Film Festival.
500 Film School's Around the World
1500 Film and Television Resources
AFI's Top 100 Films of All Time
The American Film Institute's Top 100 FIlms
of the Top 100 films covering the last 100 years of filmmaking.
Here are the Top Ten Films of All Time
1 CITIZEN KANE
2 THE GODFATHER
3 CASABLANCA
4 RAGING BULL
5 SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
6 GONE WITH THE WIND
7 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
8 SCHINDLER'S LIST
9 VERTIGO
10 THE WIZARD OF OZ
Curious about the rest of the list?
Take a colorful interactive tour of all 100 movies on the list, with key art and credits for each. Then, download the official enhanced list - where you can see which films have moved up or down - or dropped off altogether - compared to the 1997 list.
NOTE: you need the Flash plug-in to view this presentation.
Vote for YOUR Favorite AFI Top 10 Film
Interesting Filmmaking Websites and Blogs
- Movieset - Homepage
- Movieset.com - Live behind-the-scenes footage of films in production. Video blogs, community forums, exclusive production notes. and more!
- BBC Online Broadcast & New Media Courses
- BBC Training & Development - Online Courses(Video)
- Senses of Cinema - Top Tens
- Compilation of lists of top ten greatest films ever, by various critics, cinephiles, filmmakers, etc.
- RonCineTV
- RonCineTV is the ultimate hub for aspiring writers, actors and filmmakers. The site provides a platform for artists to network, find jobs and gain useful industry information.
- Film Directing Tips Blog
- Filmmaking Resource Center for Film and Television Directors
- Directing and Talent Tips
- A valuable resource for free information and tips on directing and working with acting talent.
- Best Online Documentaries
- A web portal has over 500 documentaries you can watch for free.
Why Do Filmmakers Need to Know the History of Cinema?
As film makers, we need to know about the history of this visual medium (how movies were made in the past and the filmmakers who made them) because this knowledge will help us understand where we can go in the future.
Why? Click Here to find out.
Buffoonery Acting Workshops with Trilby Jeeves
Are you actor? Would you like another acting tool?
Buffoonery Acting Workshops
Through "Le Bouffon" the film or theatre actor will find a route to authentic, believable, and committed performances. And, have FUN!
What is "Le Bouffon?"
Buffoonery Acting Workshops
Based on the teachings of Jacques Lecoq of Paris, "Le Bouffon" is an exploration of the ironies, and absurdities of human existence. The Buffoon comes from another world, perhaps the inner world of the planet. Its grotesque appearance liberates its character to mock, imitate, and laugh at the rituals of the human being, and get away with it. His opinion is made clear through his large, exaggerated gestures. Mimicry is his ultimate pleasure.
To find out more, visit Trilby's Squidoo page:
Buffoonery Acting Workshops
3 Golden Rules all Film Directors Must Know!
to survive in the Film and Television business today!
Movie Outtakes: 201 Things You Wouldn't Know ...
...Without Movies or Television
Grab your Free copy of this humorous list of 201 Things You Wouldn't Know Without Movies or Television. I have also included 4 additional BONUS lists for you enjoyment.
And don't forget to pass this file on to your friends. It could be the highlight of their day - as long as they have the same sense of humor you do!
Do You Want a Link to Your Squidoo Site?
Please leave a comment or suggestion in my guestbook below.
Your comments are important, so please let me know what you think.
The "Art and Craft of the Film and Television Director" was created for you, so please take a moment now and rate this site by leaving any comments on what you like about this site, as well as any suggestions on other filmmaking topics you would like to know about.
tkoppel wrote...
Great lens. I will book mark it for future reference for my short film making adventures.
Posted March 06, 2008
NatChar wrote...
This is a great lens! I am a move watcher not a move maker and I can see why! You have provided some very good content here and I really enjoyed reading your words. Well put together!
Posted March 05, 2008
yt wrote
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Posted August 09, 2007
okky said wrote
I am very happy to receive and every time read your gold information, for me this site is big value for my career as a film director, here in Indonesia. for other and my future culture here, i want to discuss much more with you about all topics, how to make our vision or making good the film. thanks
Posted July 16, 2007
End Credits - Director
Film and Television Production Credit List
Awards and Nominations
Agent Information
End Credits - First Assistant Director
First Assistant Director Credits
Executive Creative Consultant Credits
