Directing 101

A Beginner’s Guide to Being the Creative Captain

Directing might seem like the most glamorous job on set—shouting "Action!" and wielding total creative control. But in reality, directing is often less about commanding and more about communicating. It’s about asking the right questions, empowering collaborators, and holding a vision while staying open to discovery. And discovery will happen -- a lot -- if you invite your collaborators to participate in the process.

Here are the foundational principles every aspiring director should know:

1. Know Your Story Inside and Out Your most powerful asset is your understanding of the script’s emotional core. Before blocking scenes or choosing lenses, ask: What is this story really about? What does each scene do for the whole? What’s the emotional arc? What does each character want? (what is their goal) and what is it that you think they really need that may not even know?

Knowing the answers means you’ll make decisions with clarity and purpose.

2. Shot Listing Is Emotional Architecture A shot list isn’t just a technical breakdown—it’s emotional strategy. Are you using a wide to alienate the character? A handheld close-up to show intimacy? Is the camera going to be shaky and handheld to evoke fear or uncertainty? Every visual choice should serve the story’s emotional rhythm. Don’t storyboard because it looks cool; do it because it deepens the viewer’s emotional experience or you need to describe the beats of a scene. But you won't do any of that effectively if you haven't broken the script down and figured out who your characters are, what they want, what themes are present, what emotional arc the main character takes us on, and perhaps more importantly, what your TAKE on the theme or subject matter is. Do you YOU think love conquers all? Or do YOU think sometimes Love is not enough? Regardless of the script you have, your unique persepctive and point of view will come alive in the choices you make and in the way you choose to tell the story. Use the shot list as a tool to manifest this vision.

3. Directing Actors Is About Listening Forget line readings or micromanaging. Actors are collaborators, not puppets. The best directors trust actors to surprise them. Learn how to talk in objectives (“What does your character want here?”) and obstacles (“What’s stopping them from getting it?”). Use verbs. 'Seduce her', 'connect with him,' 'Coerce them'. Be clear, kind, and precise. Remember that your actors are putting themselves out there. Treat them with respect and get their appropriate input.

4. Surround Yourself With Experts You don’t need to know everything about lenses, lighting, or costume design—that’s why you hire a brilliant DP, gaffer, and costume team. But you do need to communicate your vision effectively. Mood boards, film references, playlists—anything to create a shared language.

But you SHOULD arrive prepared. Come to the table with ideas and references from films you have seen that you like.

5. Manage the Energy Film sets can be chaotic and stressful. A great director is a calm center. Set the tone for collaboration. Stay solution-oriented. Respect everyone’s time and contributions. People work harder when they feel heard and valued.

6. Trust Your Instincts (But Check Your Ego) You’ll get conflicting notes, time pressure, and sometimes doubt. Stay grounded in your story. Be willing to pivot if something’s not working—but don’t change direction out of fear.

Directing isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about holding space for questions and leading with vision. It’s part storytelling, part psychology, part logistics, and all heart.