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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Questions or Comments  /  How can a screenwriter be also the director ?
Posted by: Sugar, January 31st, 2017, 10:46am
I'll be finishing shortly a script and I think I've really come to a point where I'm feeling that I would really like also to direct it, the only problem is that I have no experience in directing and  I think I wouldn't be able to direct a movie all by myself.
Let's say in a miraculously way a studio would pick up my script,is it possible for me to tell them that I would also like to direct it ? Can there an arragement be made that would let me I know it sounds silly be a co-director ? The thing is that I have so many particular visions for scenes I even have an idea for soundtrack and I feel that I couldn't just leave it in a director's hand but I know that I couldn't do it all alone.What I need is someone who would agree to direct the movie with me,someone collaborative with experience that could tell me how things are done and from whom I could learn,but would let me express artistically in some situations my way.Is that possible ?
Posted by: AnthonyCawood, January 31st, 2017, 2:09pm; Reply: 1
If you fund the film, i.e. you are the Producer then you can make any decision you want, from Directing it yourself, to going the co-director route or any other variant.

If someone else is funding it then they get to call the shots, which will then make it more difficult to request things the way you want them... unless of course you make such conditions a stipulation of someone buying your script (which will put most people off).

Afraid most Producers/Studios won't take a chance on a complete newbie...

If your script is low budget then producing it yourself may be the best option to keep control of your vision.
Posted by: Sugar, January 31st, 2017, 2:19pm; Reply: 2
Thank you so much for your response.That's what I'm afraid of too as you said it's not likely for studios to take a chance on a newbie.Then again there are Damien Chazelle and Xavier Dolan who did it but I guess it's a matter of luck.The movie wouldn't be low budget so producing it myself is not an option for me,plus I would have no idea from where to start,that's why I would need someone competent beside me.
Posted by: Grandma Bear, January 31st, 2017, 2:23pm; Reply: 3
I would say, first focus on writing the most amazing script. When you've achieved that, producers will find you. If you truly have an amazing script, then you will also have more leverage because everyone will want it.
Posted by: Scar Tissue Films, January 31st, 2017, 2:51pm; Reply: 4
The only realistic way to do it if a major is backing it is what is known as holding the script to ransom... You write something that is so good and so commercial and then insist that they can only have it if you direct it.

It is possible,  but there will be stipulations... Like they'll review your footage from the first two days etc

More realistic to build your skills etc with ten shorts or so.
Posted by: TonyDionisio, February 1st, 2017, 9:46am; Reply: 5

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films


More realistic to build your skills etc with ten shorts or so.


Reputation is the magic word, also.
Posted by: irish eyes, February 1st, 2017, 9:17pm; Reply: 6
The Farrelly brothers did it with Dumb and Dumber their first movie with zero directing experience.
Posted by: eldave1, February 1st, 2017, 9:25pm; Reply: 7

Quoted from Sugar
I'll be finishing shortly a script and I think I've really come to a point where I'm feeling that I would really like also to direct it, the only problem is that I have no experience in directing and  I think I wouldn't be able to direct a movie all by myself.
Let's say in a miraculously way a studio would pick up my script,is it possible for me to tell them that I would also like to direct it ? Can there an arragement be made that would let me I know it sounds silly be a co-director ? The thing is that I have so many particular visions for scenes I even have an idea for soundtrack and I feel that I couldn't just leave it in a director's hand but I know that I couldn't do it all alone.What I need is someone who would agree to direct the movie with me,someone collaborative with experience that could tell me how things are done and from whom I could learn,but would let me express artistically in some situations my way.Is that possible ?


Possible sure. Probable - no.  

There is a good documentary - Tales From The Script

https://theproductionbunch.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/tales-from-the-script-on-netflix/

That paints a bleaker, although more realistic picture - that is you'd be lucky if they shot what you wrote in the first place.
Posted by: BSaunders, February 4th, 2017, 2:54am; Reply: 8
Tarantino directed Reservoir Dogs with only a 20 min short under his belt.
Guy Ritchie directed Lock Stock with only a 20 min short under his belt.
Kevin Smith directed Clerks with nil expierence.

I was wondering the exact same thing as you one year ago, so I went out and made 2 short films. Wrote, produced and directed and to be completely honest.. Directing isn't as hectic as people make it out to be. As a director, you don't do much, you have to hire people and explain your vision to them and they do it. Anyone with a vivid imagination and perseverance can be a director.

If you have a script that's good enough to be picked up, you have the nessasary traits to be a director.

You just gotta do it.

Write your script. Make it good. Find a producer who loves it (Not everyone will) Find funding. Go on Starnow, craigslist to find a cast and crew. Make that shit.
Posted by: LC, February 4th, 2017, 3:00am; Reply: 9
Yeah! What he said. ;D

Oh, and if you want use the font of knowledge that is the Internet to learn about lighting and camera techniques, and a whole heap of other technical stuff. But then, yep, just do it.  
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