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March 23, 2023

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Notable Directing Styles

Have you ever wanted to find your own voice and style?

I remember being interviewed by a producer that was looking for a director. He was looking for a specific type of voice and style for his production and asked me to describe my voice. Back then, I didn’t know better than to say somewhere between tenor and baritone.

But he, of course, wanted to understand my visual voice as a director. I realized that studying a handful of directors and their styles would help me better understand my style. So I thought this article might help you do the same.

The first step is understanding the labels used to describe existing notable styles.

The art of filmmaking has come a long way since its inception in the late 19th century. The early pioneers of cinema are responsible for laying the foundation of this artistic medium, which has influenced society, culture, and politics.

Over the years, several great film directors have emerged, each bringing their unique style and creativity to the screen. With each style comes a platform to make a significant contribution to the industry and our culture.

When I mention box office dollars, they are the current ones on the day I published this article and were provided by The-Numbers.com.

Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg brought in $10.7B in ticket sales worldwide and has won three Academy Awards, including two for Best Director (Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan). Two of his most successful films are “Jurassic Park” (1993) and “Jaws” (1975).

Spielberg invented the blockbuster style with the release of “Jaws” and is known for his ability to create engaging and emotional stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. His signature film was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).

James Cameron

James Cameron is right on Spielberg’s heels, with gross receipts of $8.7B. However, if you thought his films brought in more than Spielberg’s, you would be right. It took Spielberg 36 films to hit $10.7B, and Cameron hit $8.7B with 14 films. He is likely to surpass Spielberg within the next five years. However, these numbers are only based on what the artists did as directors. Spielberg’s box office dollars as a DreamWorks producer are not counted in this report.

Cameron is best known for The Terminator (1984), Aliens (1986), Titanic (1997), and Avatar (2009). All of which were so popular they became franchises.

Cameron’s style is action-driven. His characters are always type-A personalities and often command each other. To further drive the story, Cameron is known for switching between sound effects and music to shift the audience’s emotions. His technique might even drop the soundtrack to near-silence and then build suspense with the volume to draw the audience to the edge of their seats.

Alfred Hitchcock

Regarded as the “Master of Suspense,” Alfred Hitchcock, an English film director, was known for his innovative camera techniques and ability to manipulate audiences’ emotions. His films were a perfect blend of horror, suspense, and drama. Two of his most successful films are “Psycho” (1960) and “Vertigo” (1958).

During his career, Hitchcock developed many techniques that altered cinema. He dedicated his legacy to pioneering innovations in film grammar. For instance, he created the zoom dolly shot where the camera zooms in while it is being dollied out, creating visual disorientation and emotional destabilization.

Hitchcock also popularized the MacGuffin. A MacGuffin (muh-GUFF-in) is an object, character, or event in a story that keeps the plot in motion despite lacking intrinsic value or importance. In Star Wars, George Lucas used R2D2 as a MacGuffin.

While Hitchcock was deemed one of the greatest directors of all time, he never won an Oscar for Best Director. Still, his style revolutionized the industry, brought him 32 prestigious awards, and pleased droves of audiences for several generations.

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese’s films reflect the gritty realities of life, infused with elements of violence, crime, and passion. He added to the legitimizing of profanity and violence more than other directors. He bared the souls of his characters to reveal their darkness, complexity, irony, and contradictions.

He grew up in Little Italy during the 1960s, where boys had two career choices: the priesthood or the mafia. He found a third alternative in filmmaking where he explored the good and bad within him. If there was a rule to break in filmmaking, Scorsese would find a way to break it.

He won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Director for his film “The Departed” (2006). His other successful films include “Goodfellas” (1990) and “Taxi Driver” (1976).

I could share another 100 directors that impacted society due to their stylistic choices. But the examples I’ve given are a good start in helping you realize that what a director brings to the industry, based on who they are, impacts the way the film informs culture. Therefore, if a director wants to impact our culture, he or she must find their voice and style.

Copyright © 2023 by CJ Powers

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March 16, 2023

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A Director’s Take on Location Scouting

When making a film, finding the perfect location is crucial. A great location can set the mood, add authenticity to the story, and make the audience feel as though they are truly immersed in the film’s world.

The responsibility of finding and securing these locations typically falls to the location department, which consists of the Location Manager, the Location Scout, and assistants. They all answer to the director and his vision for the story.

The Location Manager oversees all aspects of the location department, including scouting, securing locations, and managing the budget. They also coordinate with other departments to ensure the location needs are met throughout the production. Essentially, the Location Manager is the go-to person for anything location-related on a film set.

The Location Scout, on the other hand, is responsible for finding potential locations that fit the director’s vision for the film. They are typically the first person on the ground, scouting various locations and taking pictures to present to the director and producer. The scout should have a great eye for detail and understand how to capture the essence of a location in a photograph. They need to be creative and resourceful in finding the best possible locations that work within the budget.

Once a location has been identified, the director will visit the site to determine if it works for the story. There are several factors that a director considers when scouting for locations. Some of these include:

  1. Authenticity: The location needs to be authentic to the story and feel like it truly belongs in the film’s world. For example, if a film is set in a particular era, the location should reflect the time period accurately, or the location owners need to be willing for the art department to make the needed changes.
  2. Accessibility: The location needs to be accessible for the cast and crew. This includes transportation, parking, and ease of access to power, fresh water, and other resources.
  3. Lighting: Lighting is crucial to the look and feel of a film, so the location needs to have the right lighting to achieve the desired effect. This includes both natural lighting and the ability to set up additional lighting if necessary.
  4. Sound: The location needs to be suitable for recording sound. This includes considering background noise, acoustics, and the ability to control the sound environment.
  5. Logistics: The location needs to be practical for filming. This includes factors such as the ability to set up cameras and equipment, the availability of restrooms, and the location’s safety.

Once the location has been selected, the Location Manager and their team will work to secure the location, negotiate contracts, and ensure that all necessary permits are obtained. They will also work with the director to ensure the location is set up to meet their vision for the film.

Finding and scouting locations is a critical part of the film production process. The Location Manager and Location Scout work together to identify potential locations that fit the director’s vision for the film. The director considers factors such as authenticity, accessibility, lighting, sound, and logistics when scouting for locations. Ultimately, the location department works to secure the location, negotiate contracts, and ensure that the location is set up to meet the director’s vision for the film.

By working together, the director and the location department can create a truly immersive and believable world for the audience.

Copyright © 2023 by CJ Powers

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March 13, 2023

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A Director’s Take on Auditions

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Auditions are a critical aspect of the filmmaking process, and as a director, it’s essential to know what to look for in actors during these sessions. The audition process can be lengthy and challenging. Still, a director can find the perfect fit for their film by focusing on three key areas:

  • Observe the actor’s capabilities
  • Determine the actor’s chemistry with cast members
  • Ensure the actor can take direction and explore collaborative choices

Observing the Actor’s Capabilities

One of the most crucial things a director should look for in an audition is the actor’s capabilities. This involves examining the actor’s range, ability to convey emotions and portray characters accurately.

To assess these capabilities, directors can provide actors with monologues or scenes that challenge their acting skills. The scene can be a simple interaction between two people or involve more complex emotions and conflicts. The goal is to get the actor to play and interact in a manner that reveals their capable range.

During the audition, directors should look for the following traits in the actor’s performance:

  • Authenticity: Actors should be able to embody the character they are auditioning for and make it believable. They should be able to evoke the character’s emotions, mannerisms, and speech patterns to make the character come to life.
  • Versatility: The best actors have a deep range and can take on different roles and genres. Look for actors who can perform different emotions and characters with ease.
  • Presence: Actors should have a presence that commands attention. They should be able to captivate the audience with their performance and hold their attention.

Determine the Actor’s Chemistry with Cast Members

Chemistry between cast members is vital for a film’s success. Actors should be able to work well together, establish trust and rapport with one another, and create believable relationships on screen.

During auditions, directors can pair up actors and see how they interact with one another. Directors should look for actors who can create chemistry naturally and authentically. The result of strong chemistry appears in the form of challenging tension and natural acceptance.

The following are some factors to consider when evaluating chemistry:

  • Compatibility: Directors should look for actors who share similar energy and can complement each other’s performances.
  • Communication: Actors should be able to communicate well with each other and create a sense of camaraderie.
  • Adaptability: Actors should be able to adapt to each other’s acting styles and make changes to their performance if necessary.

Ensure the Actor can Take Direction and explore Collaborative Choices

Directors should look for actors willing to take direction and explore various solutions to a scene. During auditions, directors can provide actors with feedback and see how they respond to it. Actors who can take direction and make changes to their performance show they are open to collaboration and willing to work towards a shared vision for the film.

The following are some factors to consider when evaluating an actor’s ability to take direction:

  • Flexibility: Actors should be able to adjust their performance and adapt to the director’s vision.
  • Creativity: Actors who can explore different ways of performing a scene can offer new insights and ideas that enhance the overall film.
  • Collaborative Spirit: Actors open to feedback and working with others can create a positive and productive working environment on set.

The audition process is a crucial step in filmmaking, and directors should know what to look for in actors during this process. Observing an actor’s capabilities, determining the actor’s chemistry with cast members, and ensuring the actor can take direction and explore collaborative choices are all key factors in finding the right actor for a role. With these factors in mind, directors can make informed casting decisions that result in compelling and authentic performances that bring their film to life.

Copyright © 2023 by CJ Powers