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HOW I DIRECTED MY FIRST SHORT FILM AND SURVIVED
I was a scriptwriter for more than ten years. I am still writing. I recently decided to take the plunge and direct something I have written.
When you take up the mantle of director, you must put aside the writer’s hat.
Like how the army breaks down the civilian in you to tiny atoms and begins to build you back up as a soldier, I had to bury my obsession with words and take up a new focus with visuals and other matters. I was painfully reminded of my new-found role as director when the assistant director asked me if I intended to schedule a pedicure for the actress to ensure her feet looked nice because I had written “CLOSE UP of foot”.
I had not thought about it.
I had to think about it as I am no longer the writer.
Here’s some lessons I learnt as a first-time director of a short film.
A Director Must Communicate Clearly
When I write my scripts, it helps when I know who is directing my words. I would then write in a style that I hoped the director would appreciate, much like how comic writers tend to write in a way that appeals to the artists who are transforming their words into visuals. But, most importantly, I must write in a manner that precisely communicates the story's intent to the director.
And now that I am the director, it is my job to communicate the script's intent to everyone on the team.
By everyone, I mean the art department, the camera crew, the makeup and wardrobe, and your editors and sound designers.
It can be tricky, as you must speak in a language that everyone can understand. You cannot go into long monologues on theme and metaphors unless you want to see the eyes of your editor or wardrobe person glaze.
I had to go back to my script and ask myself –
If I could summarize the film in one word, what would that be?
