A director must have a story to tell with the craft and tools to tell that story with clarity and detail. Directors must understand the script and how to film it. A director must be able to communicate his ideas to the other professionals involved in the process.

"On Directing" by Harold Clurman, "Picture" by Lillian Ross and "Making Movies" by Sidney Lumet are all books that give some idea of what is involved in directing.

A director needs to know a lot about lighting, set construction, costumes, scripts, actors, cameras, sound. Also, a director needs to know how to work with production designers, set designers, lighting designers, sound mixers, composers, costumers, editors, writers, producers, and of course, actors.

The qualities that are important for a director are intelligence, taste, creativity, empathy, courage, integrity -- and a little madness. A director needs a high tolerance for anxiety, pressure, confrontation and disappointment.

DGA - Directors Guild Of America LA

7920 Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles CA, 90046

Tel: 310-289-2000

323-851-3671 (Agency Listing)

Fax: 310-289-2029

http://www.dga.org