High School Senior Who Wants to Direct: How Should I Start?

[Rockey H.]

I am a grade 12 student. I never realized that I could become a director until I saw masterpieces like Citizen Kane, Casablanca, The Godfather etc. That was a couple of years ago. Now, since I am going to graduate soon I have to decide whether I should get into this or make an easy career out of something else, which I can. Because I am good in studies too. On the other hand, I still wish that I should make up my mind and follow my dreams in filmmaking. But I don't know what to do that can give me an idea how movies are made. I am planning to buy a camera because some suggest that I should start making home videos etc. What do you think how should I start get started in filmmaking. Or more precisely, how did you start? What did you do and how did you progress?

I would really appreciate your suggestions,
Thanks.

 

[director15]

Hi Rockey. That was a good suggestion: start making the little short home films. And try to make each one longer than the first one you made. As far as how films are made, try watching this to get a better idea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UOa7tkByrw
That's the link to part 1 of 2 called The Robert Rodriguez Ten Minute Film School.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLxqNwc1oYU
There's the link to part 2.
http://www.exposure.co.uk/makers/minute.html
There's another link of Ten Minute Film School that would help you.

O.k. let's start with the screenwriting. You probably, by the way you wrote your post, do not know how to write a script. That's o.k. Write it any way you can think. But if you want to learn the correct way, try reading scripts from already produced films.
Yeah you can read the Godfather on that site.

As far as the short films you are making, only make them as long as you think you can keep the audience interested.

O.k. equipment. I'm assuming you have a computer at your home. So if you do (assuming that it's XP.) get a video capture card and video editing software.

Oh if you need help writing a first script for your first short film, let me know. I'll be happy to help . Or I could give you a short film script that I've already written or I could just write you a new script from scratch. You'd just have to let me know what you want.