Chapter 20: Directing

By: William Nicholson

The Directors Role in Pre-production

During the pre-production phase, the directors responsibilities include script breakdowns, marking the
script, auditions, and pre-production meetings with the staff and crew.

The Directors Role in Pre-production

Script Breakdowns
Before script breakdowns can begin, several tasks must be completed:
The program proposal must be approved by the executive producer.
The outline must be approved.
The script must be written.
Locations must be scouted.
Script breakdown: is the process of analyzing the script from many different perspectives. This process
results in a production that is well organized and efficient.
Prop List
A prop list is developed by reading through the script and making a list of each prop that is referenced.
The director should visualize how the shots will be staged and note any additional props necessary.
Prop Plot
The prop plot is a more involved list of all the props, sorted by each scene of the program. If a prop is
needed for multiple scenes, it is listed separately for each applicable scene.
Location Breakdown
A location break down is a list of each location included in the program. Listed next to each location are
the scene numbers that take place at that location. Organizing the information in this way further assists
the director and crew in scheduling resources and general time management.
Cast Breakdown by Scene
This breakdown is very similar to a location breakdown. It lists cast members in the left column on a
page, with the scenes in which they appear in the right column of the page.
Scene Breakdown by Cast
The breakdown is a list of each scene number in the left-hand column of a page with all the cast
members needed for that scene in the right-hand column.
Equipment Breakdown
This breakdown lists each scene with all the equipment needed to shoot that scene. This benefits the
production in several ways:
With equipment organized in this manner, it is very unlikely that something will be forgotten when
shooting outside of the studio.

Directors role in Preproduction

Marking the Script
If a production is planned using film-style shooting, the director must
carefully mark the script with scene and shot numbers to help later in the
editing room.
Camera Shots
The director, instead of the scriptwriter, often enters all the camera shots
on the shooting script. A detailed and complete camera script aids in a
smooth production shoot. Shots should vary considerably. Using a wide
variety of angle and sizes keeps the audience interested. Cutaways and
reaction shots should be noted on the camera script, in addition to primary
action shots.
Shooting for the Edit
A director has very clearly defined duties in planning the production of a
program. All the time and work spent planning each shot allows the
program to be edited efficiently and effectively. Planning is a critical
element in creating a professional video program.
Shooting for the edit: The director must plan exactly how the scene being
shot will transition from the scene that immediately proceeds and follows it.

Directors Role in Pre-production

Set Design
The director visualizes where the cameras can be placed and where
the action will take place. Camera placement needs to be determined
before set construction begins.
Because individual designers for the production may not be in
communication with each other, the director is the final authority on
the colors used on the set. The director must consider the colors with
respect to makeup, costumes, set pieces, furniture, and lighting. Each
of these elements factor into the contrast ratio and contribute to the
visual quality of a production.

Directors Role in Pre-production

Auditions
Whether the program is a drama, comedy, game show, documentary,
or a news program, the director needs to decide who to put in front of
the camera. This process is know as an audition. During an audition,
the director watches and listens to a performer and decides if the
performer is capable of portraying the role needed in the program.
The director must try to be extremely objective when auditioning
talent. Unlike a performance theater, the director and talent should
not be in the same room for an audition. The director should watch the
aspiring cast member on a monitor in the control room. The
performers look on screen is extremely important to the director.

Directors Role in Pre-production

Preproduction Meeting
A preproduction meeting includes every member of the
staff. At this meeting, the expectations for each member
of the staff are discussed and everyone collaborates to
develop a production schedule/calendar. A commitment
to the production calendar is taken very seriously.
Neglecting this commitment is irresponsible- the
negative impact on the entire production team will leave
a lasting impression.
Equipment needed for shots must be scheduled.
Depending on the type of program, the director may hold
rehearsals with the cast before production begins.

The Directors Role in

Production
Before a studio shoot begins, the camera script is
reviewed and final camera directions are noted in the
left hand column of the script. Transitional devices for
the beginning of scenes and the end of scenes are
indicated, as well as variety of shots from many angles.
The dry run, or camera rehearsal, includes only the
director, talent, technical director, audio engineer, and
camera operators. Costumes and makeup are not worn
and nothing is recorded. After the director is satisfied
with everyones performance, he calls for the actual
shoot to begin.

The Directors Role in Production

Multiple Takes
Each time a scene is shot, it is called a take. Multiple takes of
scenes may be planned to capture different angles. They may also
be necessary due to a mistake made by the talent or crew, which
causes the director to yell Cut. This is a command given by the
director that indicates that all production activity, talent
performances, and crew activities, should stop immediately.
Slate is a board or page that is held in front of the camera to note
the scene number, take number, and several other pieces of
information about the scene being shot.
After the slate is recorded, the Countdown begins. Countdown
refers to the way the floor manager initiates action on the set and
cues the performers. He counts down from 10.
A take log, or a shot log, is a written list of each scene and take
number shot and recorded on a particular tape or other recording
medium. The director circles each scene on the log. This is done so
that the director can scan directly to the slate shot at the beginning
of the good take, instead of reviewing each proceeding bad take. By

The Directors Role in Postproduction

The directors role in post-production varies
from program to program and from one
production environment to another.
Processes during post-production include
editing, adding background music, scene
transitions, sound effects, some special
effects, and titles.

Being an Effective Director

Good directors commonly possess certain characteristics that contribute to quality and
successful productions.
A good director is not the dictator of the production
A good director fosters a team mentality among the cast and crew, so that everyone
works toward a common goal.
A good director does not wait to make decisions a decision is made and the director
confidently moves on.
A good director takes initiative to do whatever is necessary to successfully complete the
program.
A good director knows the capabilities of the equipment and strives to make the most of
available resources, instead of complaining about what is lacking or not available.
The director maintains an even temper in front of the cast or crew. Showing anger or
bursts of emotion causes others to lose faith in his abilities.
He is a people person and understands the benefits of saying please and thank
you when communicating with the cast and crew.
A good director is gives only constructive criticism when instructing the cast and crew.
A good director delegates tasks, rather than trying to attend to everything personally.
A good director is highly organized and efficient, almost to a fault.
A good director takes responsibility for making final decisions.
Other