Becoming a Video Director: A comprehensive Guide
Pictured: Behind the scenes photo from Poolside (2021)
Video directing is a challenging and rewarding career that can lead to a wide range of opportunities in the film and television industry. Whether you're interested in working on feature films, music videos, or commercial projects, a career as a video director can take you to new heights of creativity and success.
To become a video director, you'll need to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge, including storytelling, camera techniques, lighting, sound, and post-production. You'll also need to be familiar with the latest technology and trends in the industry, as well as the business and legal aspects of video production.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll take a look at the key steps and requirements for becoming a video director, including education, experience, networking, and the many different types of projects you can work on.
Education and Training
The first step to becoming a video director is to gain a solid education in the field of film and television production. This can include completing a degree, diploma program, course or technical certification in film and television production, screenwriting, or a related field.
Some popular programs include:
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Film and Television Production
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film and Television Production
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film Studies
Diploma in Film Production
Technical Certificate from a reputable industry organization
In addition to formal education, it's also important to gain hands-on experience in the film and television industry. This can include internships, apprenticeships, or working as a production assistant or crew member on various projects. There can be many great opportunities to build relationships, create a good portfolio and making a name for yourself, while still learning, collaborating, and exchanging your time on a pro-bono basis to build up your craft.
Networking and Building a Portfolio
As with any creative field, networking is crucial to success as a video director. Building relationships with other professionals in the industry, such as producers, writers, and other directors, can help you find new opportunities and build your reputation.
It's also important to build a strong portfolio of your work. This can include videos you've directed, as well as other projects you've worked on as a crew member or assistant. Your portfolio should showcase your skills and creativity, and demonstrate your ability to tell compelling stories on film.
Types of Video Projects
As a video director, you'll have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, including:
Feature films: This is the most well-known and traditional type of film that directors work on. These films are typically longer than an hour and are usually shown in movie theaters.
Short films: This is a less well-known type of film project that film directors work on. These type of films are shorter than an hour and are usually shown online or at film festivals.
Music videos: As a video director, you can also work on music videos. These videos are usually shorter than films and are used to promote a musician or band's latest song.
TV shows: A video director can also work on TV shows. They direct one or multiple episodes of a series and work closely with the show's creators to bring their vision to life.
Commercials: Video directors can also work on commercials, which are short films that advertise a product or service.
Corporate videos: These are videos made for companies to use internally or for external communication purposes.
Documentaries: A video director can also work on documentaries, which are films that aim to inform or educate the audience about a specific topic or person.
Conclusion
Becoming a video director requires a combination of education, experience, networking, and a strong portfolio. It's a challenging but rewarding career that offers many different types of projects and opportunities for creativity and success.
To get started, consider completing a degree or diploma program in film and television production, screenwriting, or a related field, and start shadowing someone reputable and build your portfolio and network of contacts in the industry.
Alex Kinter is a film and commercial director with over 15 years of experience. He has directed for major brands like Hublot, AT&T, and Mercedes-Benz, and has earned recognition and accolades at international film festivals. Alex's unique approach to storytelling will elevate your brand and connect with your audience. Contact us today and book Alex for your next project here.
