Directing Basics

Inspiration & Exploration

Great directors don't just call "action" — they have a vision and share it with everyone on set. Start by watching two short films made by students or indie filmmakers. The Utah Film Center (utahfilmcenter.org) streams free films and often hosts free screenings in Salt Lake City — check their calendar. On YouTube, search "director's commentary" for a favorite movie and listen to how the director talks about choices. Read a free interview with a working director on IndieWire or No Film School. Notice what questions directors ask: What is this scene about emotionally? Where should the camera be? How should the actors feel? Start a simple notebook — physical or digital — to jot down ideas. You're ready for the next step when you can name three director decisions from a film you watched and explain why each one worked.

Tools & Techniques

Directing uses a specific toolkit: shot lists, storyboards, script breakdowns, and communication skills. Download a free storyboard template from StudioBinder (studiobinder.com) and sketch out a simple three-shot sequence for a scene you imagine. Watch "How to Direct Actors" tutorials on YouTube by channel Indie Film Hustle. Learn the basic shot types: wide, medium, close-up, and over-the-shoulder. Understand the 180-degree rule — breaking it confuses viewers. No Film School (nofilmschool.com) has free articles on all of these. If you have a smartphone, it's your camera for now. Practice composing shots around your home or neighborhood. You're ready for the next step when you can name five shot types and draw a basic storyboard panel for each one.

First Creations

It's time to direct your first scene. Write a simple one-page scene — two characters having a short conversation. Cast two friends or family members. Give them direction using feeling words: "You're nervous about what she'll say" rather than "stand here and say your line fast." Shoot the scene at least twice with different camera positions. Use your storyboard from last week. Afterward, watch your footage and ask: Did the actors feel real? Did the shots tell the story? The Utah Film Center sometimes offers beginner filmmaking workshops — check if one is coming up. You're ready for the next step when you've directed and reviewed a short scene with at least two actors and two different shot setups.

Style Development

Every great director has a recognizable style. Watch short films by Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, and Boots Riley on YouTube — notice how their visual style, pacing, and actor performances differ wildly. Which feels closest to what excites you? Start developing your own "director's eye" by practicing visual storytelling without dialogue. Shoot a 60-second silent scene that tells a small story — someone losing something, finding something, or waiting for someone. Show it to a friend without explanation and ask them what they understood. The University of Utah's Department of Film and Media Arts hosts student screenings open to the public — attend one for inspiration. You're ready for the next step when you can describe your directorial style in three words and back it up with a clip from your own work.

Refine Your Craft

Real directing means solving problems under pressure — limited time, tired actors, wrong light. This week, run a timed shoot: give yourself 90 minutes to direct a complete two-minute scene, start to finish. Before you shoot, hold a proper rehearsal and give each actor specific notes. During filming, practice giving direction between takes quickly and positively. Afterward, log what slowed you down. Read the free PDF "Directing the Documentary" excerpts available via No Film School. If you want feedback, share your clip in a Utah filmmaking Facebook group like "Utah Filmmakers" — local directors often give generous notes. You're ready for the next step when you can complete a timed shoot, give actor notes between every take, and stay on schedule.

Portfolio Piece

Your portfolio piece is a short film you direct from scratch — 3 to 5 minutes, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Write a one-page script, create a shot list, hold a rehearsal, and schedule a shoot day. Treat it like a real production: brief your crew (even if it's one friend with a camera), communicate your vision clearly, and make decisions confidently on set. When it's edited, submit it to the Utah Film Center's short film showcase or to a free festival like the Salt Lake Film Society's open submission events. Post a clip or still on social media and tag Utah filmmaking communities. You're ready for the next step when you have a completed, watchable short film you directed and can screen for an audience.