What does the director do in the film. Director profession

The names and surnames of the leading directors of the world and the country are on everyone's lips. However, few people know how to get this profession, where to study and how to get a job. Find out by reading the detailed review.

Average salary: 25,000 rubles per month

Demand

Payability

Competition

Entry barrier

Perspectives

Art professions usually do not bode well, but they invariably attract talented people. A director is a person who manages all creative processes in theater, film and television. The range of his duties is very wide. The first directors appeared in the era of ancient theater, but the very concept of "director" arose relatively recently. The word came to us from the French language, and Vladimir Dal gives it the following definition: "a person who controls actors, play, performances, appoints what to give or put on, handing out roles." As a profession, directing began to be perceived only at the end of the 19th century. Naturally, at first it was associated only with the theater, but already in the first years of the 20th century, when cinema began to develop rapidly, directors were required there as well. Then came the turn of television.

Specialties

Over the past hundred years, the concept of the profession has changed somewhat and the following specialties have arisen:

• Stage director. The person who leads the film crew, but is not involved in administration as such. He is responsible for all creative processes in filmmaking and television.
• Theater director. This specialty should be singled out as a separate one, since the performing arts have their own specifics of work, and the director of performances thinks differently from the author of films. Nevertheless, theater masters sometimes achieve great success in cinema (Mark Zakharov, Mikhail Kazakov).
• Film editor. The specialist, who looks at the footage, selects the successful takes together with the director and does the gluing. It is in the editing room that films and television programs are born in the form in which they are shown to the audience.
• Sound engineer. Responsible for musical and noise design, as well as recording the speech of actors in films and on TV. He works closely with the composer, in large projects he leads a team of operators.

There are also narrower specialties within the profession: director of animated films, non-fiction films, pop, mass performances. In large-scale projects, the director is often assisted by an assistant. He participates in the selection of actors, rehearses secondary scenes. A somewhat different job is for an assistant director - an employee who performs minor assignments and solves problems that arise. This position is often occupied by creative college students seeking to pave the way for future careers in film or television.

In general, work is associated with both creativity and management. There is more pure art in theater, because on television and in cinema, a lot of time is spent working with technology. In addition, the stage gives more creative freedom: in cinema, the director's fantasy is often limited by the producers who think primarily about the financial success of the film. Therefore, people who are interested in pure art tend to go to the theater.

What is the job

As part of the creative process, the director solves many tasks at the same time: corrects the script, assigns actors to roles, conducts rehearsals, directs filming in films and on television. Of course, specialists with appropriate education are directly involved in camera work, sound recording, lighting and the development of scenery. But they, like all participants in the creative process, act in accordance with the will of the director. He is the source of everything that happens on stage or on set.

Where to study

There are relatively few creative universities in which one can master the profession of a director in our country. Examples:

• Russian Institute of Theater Arts (GITIS);
• All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimova (VGIK);
• Russian State Institute of Performing Arts;
• St. Petersburg Humanitarian University of Trade Unions;
• St. Petersburg State Institute of Cinema and Television;
• Chelyabinsk State Institute of Culture;
• Kazan State Institute of Culture;
• North Caucasus State Institute of Arts.

Who is the profession suitable for?

A director is a leader who leads many people at the same time, which means that those who are able not only to create, but also to manage will find themselves in the profession. Also, the director needs a broad outlook, therefore, in universities, examiners check the general erudition of those entering the directing departments with special passion.

Earnings and professional prospects

Like most creative professions, directing is not among the in-demand. It is not difficult to get a job as a director at a local house of culture or a theater studio, but you should not count on a salary above 30 thousand rubles a month. Truly high salaries and fees are received only by employees of TV channels and directors of commercially successful projects - in particular, popular films and show programs. In theaters, directors earn less on average, but the exact amount depends on the region and on how famous the director is in Russia and abroad.

The most difficult thing in the profession is for beginners. Producers tend to rely on experienced craftsmen, so university graduates are often out of work. A lot is decided by connections. At the same time, one should not forget that the director is a creative profession, and success in it is unthinkable without talent, which is revealed only through hard work. It is also true that even the most gifted graduates rarely become directors right away and begin their careers as an assistant or, at best, a second director. And this is normal, since such work immerses a young specialist in the creative process and prepares him for the responsibility that will fall on his shoulders when he becomes a stage director himself.

Despite the fact that the production director always remains behind the scenes, he plays the most important role in the creation of film masterpieces. Like a conductor, he sets the rhythm of the film - his own, unique melody. That is why it is so important that the director does his best on set. However, do not forget about professionalism, because only a well-trained specialist will be able to bring the started business to its logical end. So, let's talk about where you can learn filmmaking? What is the role of the production director on set? And how do geniuses of directing differ from ordinary workers of cinema and theater?

What is a production director?

Perhaps the most accurate description of this profession indicates that this person is the main director of the production process. That is, the production director is the figure who gives orders to screenwriters, cast, cameramen, sound engineers, and so on. Moreover, it is his word that is decisive in making final decisions. However, this kind of power requires maximum dedication from the production director. After all, the future success of the premiere depends on how well he does his job. Consequently, if the picture turns out to be a failure, then all the blame will fall on the main leader, that is, on the production director.

A bit of history

The first mentions of directors date back to the middle of the 19th century. In those days, this concept referred to the person managing theatrical performances. By and large, his only task was to correctly place the actors on the stage and make sure that they did not confuse the words. It was only at the beginning of the 20th century that the director's powers expanded to control everything that happened at the show. At the same time, one important point should be remembered: all the duties and rights of the stage director were established within the walls of the theater. That is, initially this profession appeared exactly there, and nowhere else. This means that the theater is the true home of all directors.

Choice of specialization

To begin with, the profession of "production director" is a very broad concept. After all, there are specialists who work exclusively with documentaries. And there are those who are much closer to animation. Therefore, let's figure out what narrow specializations the profession is divided into:

• Theatrical direction. In this case, the specialist initially learns to control the atmosphere prevailing on the big stage. All his skills will be focused on organizing performances and theatrical performances.
• Circus art. Working with artists on the arena is very different from creating the usual performances in the theater. For example, improper preparation for the performance of gymnasts can lead to serious injury. And if you make the number too simple, then the viewer will not receive the emotions for which he came to the performance.
• Television. This direction is very multifaceted - it includes a number of separate categories. For example, some directors specialize exclusively in TV shows, others create fantastic blockbusters, and still others do music videos.

Where and how can you learn to be a production director?

Alas, in our country there are not many educational institutions capable of teaching directing skills. And, nevertheless, with a great desire and perseverance, anyone can get one of the places in the following universities:

• them. Gerasimov.
• Russian University of Theater Arts.
• State University of Culture and Art in Moscow.
• Theater Institute named after B. Shchukin.
• St. Petersburg Humanitarian Institute of Trade Unions.

At the same time, it should be remembered that before admission you will need to choose a certain direction: directing a theater, an animated film, stage, and so on.

Duties and rights

The production director plays a very important role in It is simply impossible to list the full range of his duties, since this will take quite a lot of time. Therefore, let's discuss only its basic rights and tasks:

• First of all, the director must look at his project through the eyes of the audience. Only in this way will he be able to understand what he has and what he doesn't. And only after that he starts editing the script and recruiting the cast.
• Working with screenwriters. Today, only a few production directors write their own scripts. More often, this task falls on the shoulders of more skillful writers and artists. However, it is the director who approves the final version of the text, and, if desired, can even force the scriptwriters to rewrite it.
• Casting management. The production director not only selects actors for the role, but also directs them during the filming process. He explains to them what emotions should be played out, where they should fall, and where, on the contrary, it is necessary to improvise.
• In addition, the director distributes various recommendations to specialists in lighting, scenery, make-up, sound, and so on.

Summing up, let's say, only thanks to the efforts of the director, a hundred specialists can work as one well-coordinated mechanism. And therefore, it is he who is their heart and soul, without which the film cannot become truly alive.

Famous production directors

In conclusion, let's talk about the most.In this case, we will discuss not only their glory, but also how they were able to achieve it:

1. (1899-1989) - American master of horror. Despite the paucity of special effects, the films of this director have always fascinated the audience. And all because he knew how to make the audience feel the plot as if they themselves were at the scene.
2. Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977). Many people know this man as an excellent comedian, but only a few are aware that he was the director of all the scenes in his films. As for the secret of his success, it is quite simple: excellent humor and excellent acting.
3. Steven Spielberg (born 1946) is the most famous director of our time. From under his hand came the best blockbusters of the XXI century. As Spielberg himself assures, his success lies in the unquenchable thirst to surprise people, which he always follows.
4. Fedor Bondarchuk (born 1967) is a Russian actor and director. Probably, today Bondarchuk is one of the brightest film directors in Russia. And all because his works are filled not only with the colors of Hollywood, but also with a kind Russian soul, which is so pleasant to the audience.

As you can see, becoming a production director is not easy. This requires not only knowledge and skills, but also innate talent.

Stage Director is the leader and creative leader of a project in cinematography, television or theater. He is responsible for the artistic component of the work. Actors, cameramen, sound engineer, production designer, motion director, etc. work under his leadership. The director's job description includes qualification requirements, nature of work, tasks and duties.

Sample Director's Job Description

1. General Provisions

1.1. The production director belongs to the category of specialists.

1.2. For the position of production director:

- the highest category is accepted (transferred) by a person who has a higher professional education (culture and art) and work experience of at least 5 years as a stage director of the first category.

1.3. The production director must know:

- Fundamentals of the legislation of the Russian Federation on culture, other federal laws on culture and art;

- Resolutions of the Government of the Russian Federation (Regulation on the Basics of Economic Activity and Financing of Culture and Art Organizations, Regulation on Theater in the Russian Federation, etc.), regulatory legal acts of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation that determine the development of culture;

- orders and other normative documents of the higher authorities on culture and art;

- fundamentals of civil legislation (regulation of copyright issues, rights related to copyright);

- the structure of the organization where he works,

- the main structure of the audience;

- theory and practice of directing and acting;

- the basics of stage and musical design for performances, vocal, choral and choreographic art;

- history of domestic and world theater, music, circus, other arts and literature;

- the state of modern domestic and foreign theatrical art, other types of performing arts;

- modern and classical drama;

- fundamentals of management;

- psychology of management and creative work;

- the foundations of the sociology of art, stage technology;

- fundamentals of economics and management in the field of performing arts;

- fundamentals of labor legislation;

- Internal labor regulations;

- rules and norms of labor protection and safety measures; industrial sanitation and fire protection;

1.4. The production director in his activities is guided by:

- this job description;

1.6. During the absence of a production director (vacation, illness, etc.), his duties are performed by an employee appointed in accordance with the established procedure, who acquires the corresponding rights and is responsible for non-performance or improper performance of the duties assigned to him in connection with the replacement.

1.7. The production director belongs to the professional qualification group "Positions of the management staff of cultural, art and cinematographic institutions" (Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia of August 31, 2007 N 570).

2. Duties of the stage director

2.1. Organization of the staging process.

2.2. Ensuring the artistic level of the productions.

2.3. Produces new and capital renewable productions in the quantity determined by the labor contract, ensures their artistic level.

2.4. Conducts rehearsals, supervises the work of the production group and the workers of the artistic production part participating in the rehearsals.

2.5. Carries out planned, urgent and emergency introductions of new performers in previously staged performances (performances).

2.6. Ensures the observance of production and creative discipline during performances, rehearsals, classes.

2.7. In accordance with the established procedure, he is on duty at performances (concerts, performances).

2.8. He is directly involved in organizing and holding events to improve the professional skills of the organization's creative workers, in promoting the performing arts aimed at expanding the audience.

3. The rights of the stage director

The stage director has the right to:

3.1. Participate in the discussion of draft decisions of the management of the institution (organization).

3.2. To dispose of the property and funds entrusted to him in compliance with the requirements determined by regulatory legal acts, constituent documents.

3.3. Sign and endorse the agreed documents.
3.4. Initiate and conduct organizational meetings.

3.6. Conduct quality checks and timely execution of orders.

3.7. Demand the termination (suspension) of work (in case of violations, non-compliance with established requirements, etc.), compliance with established norms, rules, instructions; give instructions for correcting deficiencies and eliminating violations.

3.8. Participate in the discussion of issues related to the duties performed by him.

3.9. Submit for consideration
ideas about hiring, moving and dismissing employees; proposals for
their encouragement or the imposition of penalties on them.
3.10. Require the management of the institution (organization) to assist in the performance of his official duties and rights.

4. Responsibility of the production director

4.1. The production director is held liable for:

- for improper performance or non-performance of their duties provided for by this job description - in the manner prescribed by the current labor legislation of the Russian Federation;

- for offenses committed in the course of their activities - in the manner prescribed by the current administrative, criminal and civil legislation of the Russian Federation;

- for causing damage to an institution (organization) - in the manner prescribed by the current labor legislation of the Russian Federation.

The profession of a director belongs to the category of creative ones, and its essence lies in guiding the creative process of creating a work - a film, a play, a circus performance, a variety show, etc.

A representative of this profession is responsible only for the creative side of creating a work. This differs the director from the producer who raises money for the project, solves financial, technical and organizational issues. However, there are masters who combine both roles and avoid possible conflicts of interest (commerce and creativity).

What kind of directors are there

Stage director

The production director is the main person who is responsible for everything that happens on the set or on stage. Actors, cameramen, sound engineers, scriptwriters, decorators and other specialists are subordinate to him - he organizes them and is responsible for the final result. Therefore, the word "director" is not always used in relation to him.

Theater director

The tasks of the theater director include organizing and conducting all activities for staging the play - from working on the text of the play, selecting performers and scenery to staging the work, synchronizing the actions of the actors and their correspondence with the storyline, and the artistic intention (both for the author of the play and for his own ).

Film editor

The profession of an editing (or film editing) director hides an ordinary editor, who brings together the pieces of shooting into one work (film, TV show, commercial, clip). Of course, this is not an ordinary technician who presses buttons on a computer, but a specialist who works side by side with the director, who knows all the subtleties and nuances of the future picture and, in addition, is able to perform all the technical functions.

The main task of the editing director is to do at the exit what the main director expects.

Places of work

The position of a director is provided for in many organizations that produce entertainment and entertainment products:

• in film companies and film studios;
• in theaters and circuses;
• in large advertising agencies.

And some other organizations.

History of the profession

Before the advent of cinema, the profession of a director belonged to the theatrical sphere. At all times, there were people who staged plays, performances and various shows. They could be playwrights, actors or someone else, but they were the progenitors of future directors.

The popularity of the theater, more complex productions around the second half of the 19th century gave birth to the profession of a director. The place of her birth can be considered the Meiningen Theater, which was directed by Ludwig Kroneck.

In the cinema, directors appeared almost immediately after its appearance: in the documentary genre - the Lumiere brothers themselves, the inventors of cinema, in the fiction genre - Georges Méliès, in the animation genre - Emile Reynaud.

Over time, this activity has become more diverse, not only film and theater directors have appeared, but also circus directors, organizers of large public events, etc.

Director's responsibilities

The list and scope of specific tasks and responsibilities of the director can vary significantly depending on the direction and specifics of the activity. For example, a movie director does the following things:

• writes or selects a script;
• defines the general artistic style of the picture;
• selects and directs actors;
• supervises the work of decorators, costume designers, screenwriters, cameramen, editors, assistants and other specialists;
• supervises the installation procedure (sometimes participates in it).

For comparison, we will describe some of the functions of a television director who creates programs and broadcasts:

• creates scripts;
• accepts ready-made plots and programs;
• participates in the editing of TV programs and advertising video materials;
• works live.

Requirements for the director

The basic requirements for a director are simple:

• higher specialized education;
• work experience in a certain area of ​​directing: in cinema, theater, television, etc.

At the same time, “specialized” specialists (editing directors, sound engineers, etc.) sometimes require knowledge of the appropriate hardware and software.

How to become a director

It is not so easy to become a director, especially of a high level. To do this, you need to get a higher education in the specialty "director" - for example, to graduate from the directing department of VGIK, theatrical academy, institute of culture or other specialized university.

Moreover, it is advisable to choose an educational institution immediately according to the desired specialty: very few succeed in retraining, for example, from a theater director to a film director in the course of their careers.

Director's salary

How much a director earns is a big question. Famous masters make millions, but they always risk that their next creation will fail and they will be in the red.

In addition to well-known directors, there are also a lot of specialists without a name. Their incomes are usually not very high. A director's salary can range from 30 to 250 thousand rubles a month (depending on the employer and the level of projects).

In cinematography and theater, the leading role is played not by actors or producers, but by directors. It is he who is responsible for the final result, and it is in relation to him that the highest requirements are put forward.

In recent years, domestic cinema is undergoing a stage of revival. The society is regularly presented with new films that can rightly be attributed to the masterpieces of the film industry. In this regard, the demand for people of creative specialties is increasing, who will be able to maintain the achieved level and continue the development of art.

In cinematography and theater, the leading role is played not by actors or producers, but by directors. It is he who is responsible for the final result, and it is in relation to him that the highest requirements are put forward.

Who is a director?

- a specialist who manages a set of key processes on film sets, stages, circus arenas and other theatrical and concert events. He interprets the script and has a complete understanding of how to play this or that scene in order for the plot to look the most realistic.

The director's profession emerged relatively recently - at the end of the 19th century. Undoubtedly, the need for people coordinating actors and working on staging performances appeared in an earlier period, namely during the formation of the theater. However, at that time, theatrical troupes mostly managed on their own, so the number of such specialists was limited.

The idea of ​​directing in its modern presentation belongs to the German and French theaters - it consists in the formation of an ensemble and the subordination of the entire performance to a single concept.

Inception and impetuous development of cinema caused not only an increase in the popularity of the profession, but also the range of duties assigned to directors, with which it would be rather difficult to cope with one person. This determined the need to highlight narrower areas:

• The production director is an experienced professional who is at the head of the entire team and is responsible for the result of its work. He is engaged in the selection of actors, corrects their play, makes amendments to the script.
• The director has the second most important stage after the stage director and, in fact, is his assistant, who learns from him and gains experience. He is recruited to take part in major projects and is made responsible for the selection of extras and the filming of secondary scenes.
• An assistant director is the lowest level of the profession and at the same time a good start for career growth. Despite the fact that he is "on the spot" and does not perform any important functions, many graduates of educational institutions begin their activities precisely from this position.
• The sound engineer is concerned with improving the quality of the voices. He expresses his expert opinion on what exactly and with what intonation it is necessary to say so that the sound matches the picture as much as possible and evokes certain emotions in the audience.
• Editing director is an expert who is involved in combining individual episodes into a single full-fledged picture. In his work, he is guided by the recommendations of the chief director and works with him, selecting the best scenes from the footage.

A theater director has a completely different work specifics. Theatrical performances require special training and skills. The play of the actors, the script, the scenery - everything must be built flawlessly, because in the theater the director will not be able to shoot another take that the audience will like.

Depending on the type of specialization, the main duties of a director may vary, but the most important aspects of the work include:

• interaction with scriptwriters, producers and other participants in the process;
• distribution of roles, control and staging of the actors' play;
• lighting adjustment;
• viewing footage and highlighting the best shots;
• making changes to the script;
• instructions regarding the appearance of the actors;
• resolving disputes and maintaining an appropriate work environment, etc.

It should be noted that directors are unique specialists. Often they can combine work with related professions and act as producers, screenwriters, actors. In this case, the range of their responsibilities is significantly expanded.

What personal qualities should a director have?

To unleash their creativity and achieve success in their careers, directors have to work hard and put a lot of effort. Therefore, it is very important for them to be purposeful, hardworking, strong-willed people.

• As in others creative professions, in their activities, they must be creative and have a broad outlook.
• A high level of intellectual development, erudition and imaginative thinking are constant companions in the work of directors.
• Curiosity and a desire for self-development are required to increase experience and a better understanding of the profession.
• Since people in this profession have a large number of employees in their subordination, they must have leadership qualities and be sociable.
• The ability to organize work and find compromise solutions in problem situations is the key to a favorable atmosphere in the workplace.
• Objectivity and observation will also come in handy on the creative path, which will allow you to give a correct assessment of what is happening, to choose the right direction.

Advantages of being a filmmaker

The director is greatly pleased by the opportunity for self-realization and implementation of his ideas, which, if successful, will be recognized by the public, and he will gain popularity and recognition.

High-level specialists do not need to find a job - she finds them herself. Majority famous directors are highly demanded and receive large fees, the amount of which is usually not disclosed. Naturally, the level of their salary directly depends on the scale of the projects, but, in general, they can independently set the amount of remuneration for their work.

The profession is very exciting, due to the fact that directors travel very often and participate in various events. In addition to the opportunity to see the world, meeting famous people and making connections that will undoubtedly be of great benefit are equally attractive moments in work.

Disadvantages of the director's profession

The main disadvantages of the profession include the low probability that the specialist will be able to succeed in his career. Novice directors it is quite difficult. Lack of experience and a recognizable "name" often means lack of work. A significant part of sponsors choose only famous personalities for their projects, who will certainly be able to create a masterpiece. Of course, you can start your activity by working in small projects, but in this case, you will not have to count on a solid remuneration. And there are no guarantees that in the future it will be possible to get into the top league.

The director is not only entertainment and loud parties in honor of the premiere, but also hard work. This work most often does not provide for a normalized schedule and scheduled vacations. It is not uncommon for directors to work late into the night or around the clock until they achieve the desired result.

Very often, directors experience stress and are in a state of increased psycho-emotional stress, which can have an extremely negative impact on health. Also, do not forget that the main share of success in the creative profession is associated with inspiration. Depression, apathy and stress are unlikely to lead to the creation of something worthy of attention.

Where can you get the profession of a director?

The profession of a director cannot be mastered independently or with the help of special courses. While the study of basic directing principles through self-education, it will not bring harm, you can become a real specialist only after receiving the appropriate higher education.

Today in most cities of Russia there is at least one institution of higher education that trains filmmakers. Many universities are commercial, but there are also enough state universities where you can get this profession. All educational institutions offer training mainly on a paid basis, with a minimum number of budget places, and it is very difficult to enroll in them. Applicants are selected according to strict criteria, the main among which, nevertheless, is talent.

Further employment largely depends on the choice of the university, since the prestige of the university plays an important role in this profession. The most popular educational institutions among employers are:

Sources of images: macdigger.ru, tvkinoradio.ru, vnews.agency, severinform.ru