What Makes a Good Director?
It’s never too late to start your journey toward becoming a glorified film director. Provided you know what to do, you can thrive in your career and create a name for yourself. Also, you need to understand that the film industry keeps getting more competitive by the day. Here are the qualities of a good film director.
1. They love their work
A good director loves his/her job and isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. For such people, creating a film on-screen is pure bliss and not just a means of making money. That’s how passionate they are about cinema and putting in the hours to hone their craft.
2. They respect collaboration
Just because you’re a director, it doesn’t mean you can treat everyone else on the set like your minion. For a film director to excel, they need to respect other people’s opinions because every collaborator they work with has something valuable to contribute.
3. They like taking risks
Some of the best directors out there aren’t afraid of taking risks. They also don’t mind failing spectacularly because one failure isn’t going to spell disaster for them.
4. They’re highly intuitive
A good director can read people like an open book. They’re also constantly aware of what’s happening on the set (in the background) and on-screen.
5. They know how to delegate responsibility
Even though a film director is the head honcho, that doesn’t mean they can handle all tasks by themselves. And a good one knows how to delegate responsibility to other talented people who work under them.
6. They’re emotionally intelligent
You should have emotional intelligence in the world and know how to deal with a wide variety of people. An emotionally intelligent person knows precisely what to say to get the best out of their collaborators and improve their mood.
7. They have a clear vision
A good director always has a clear picture of what they want to achieve. And they’re good enough to know how to communicate it effectively to their team and make them follow through with the vision.
8. They have a set plan B
No matter how much you plan, there will always be twists and turns in your project. And this is where having a set plan B comes into play. A good director always has a backup plan if something goes wrong because the industry is cutthroat and unforgiving.
9. They don’t take failure personally
They understand that their work isn’t going to be a success all the time. A film is a collaborative art, and it’s hard to please everyone. A good director is receptive and also can take criticism in their stride.
10. They play well with others
A good director knows how to collaborate and play well with others. Or in other words, they don’t have a crazy ego that’s going to get in the way of their work. They’re humble and know how to listen and communicate well with others.
11. They’re passionate about their work
A good director is passionate about their work and isn’t afraid to penetrate new territories. They have the ambition, the drive and the willingness to do whatever it takes to take their project from inception to completion.
Conclusion
A lot goes into being a film director, and it’s not just about getting the right equipment. It takes technique, finesse and above all, the ability to peel away the layers of an onion. The film isn’t just about making your project look great on-screen or giving it a multi-million dollar production value. It’s about the human condition and the ability to make sense of it all.