Saturday, December 4, 2010

What I think makes a good director!

Recently, I was asked some questions by some animation students at Emily Carr University about what makes a good director. Here are some of my responses to their questions. Enjoy!


1. What are your fundamental roles and responsibilities as a director?


All films are the direct result of the director's creative vision. The director is in charge of all aspects of creating a good film. It is the job of a director to take a weak script and make it stronger, make sure performances and animation are convincing, making sure the crew is motivated and inspired and overall all elements of music and sound design are working with the visual elements of the film. A director is first and foremost a filmmaker and should be ready and comfortable to wear multiple hats during the production of a film. Sometimes an independent animation director will handle all aspects of story, animation, and production. Therefore, it is important that the director is good at directing his/herself. Which is why I've taken a very

existentialist approach to my own animation and filmmaking.


2. How did you arrive at the position of 'director' for the first time


I became a director when I started making short animated films. Even though I was not directing huge crews, I was directing myself and that is sometimes the most difficult of all directing because you must push yourself towards trying to achieve perfection. Which is always impossible but it's important to stay motivated and focused. This is why I have coined the phrase: "Animation is meditation" Whenever you stamp your film with "a film by" you become a brand and your films become reflections of your creative vision.


3. What do you find to be the most difficult aspect of being a director?


The most difficult aspect of directing is making sure your creative vision is properly represented through the final film. Every film you create becomes an extension of you. If you just pump out films that take no effort, have terrible stories, etc. they become part of your filmography and that can never be erased. Plus you'll start form a reputation for creating bad work. The hardest part of being a director is keeping your integrity and fighting to only make good work. Sometimes that involves a battle with producers and other outside influences and sources. It's best to just stick to your guns and go with your best intuition. If you're losing control of a project of it's not becoming your own, move on and find a new project that you can be proud of.


4. Why become a director as opposed to any other job in the film/game industry?


The director has most of the creative control over a project. You are the boss. The producer can shut you down but if they've hired you, they've hired you for a reason...because they believe in your vision and approach. Therefore, you need to fight for that vision at all cost. For me, I have been fortunate to play the role of director who owns all my content. Thus, I own and control 100% of the project after it's finished. I am in the position to hire my producers which is a different type of approach. I really encourage directors to keep control of their work in this way. That way they know that their vision is properly being represented after it's been created.


5. Where do find you creative spark to create a film?


Creativity comes from the strangest places and at all times. Keep a notepad by you at all times to write down ideas and catalogue them. Find what works best for you and just brainstorm ideas for stories as you think of them. Some of my best ideas while I'm developing a film come just before I go to bed when my brain is racing with ideas and thoughts. I always write them down and organize them in the morning.


When it comes to creating new work, take a look at those archived ideas and go with the one that really jumps out at you a the time. Like I said animation is meditation. I don't listen to music while animating and let my mind and thoughts wonder. Because of that, my animation is strengthened because I'm always reflecting on my next movement. Music or any other sound can distract from that process. Sure it can drive you a bit crazy but make sure to take regular breaks. Other than that all ideas are good ideas...but not all good ideas make good films.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, indeed nice post. How will I get your subscription?

Jane Pingtown
new york city escort

Anonymous said...

reebok on the clock tennis shoes gucci chain large hobo bag malaysia

Anonymous said...

Wonderful write-up! It is good for a brand-new blogger just like us.

Anonymous said...

Very understandable info. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Tory Burch Boots and all participation public figure's micro abundant time attention activity newest trend. The public permeable website and the handset procedure, each time are the JMJ child charitable foundation make a US dollar donation in the public welfare quartz wall, but Shi Hualuo the world singular element simultaneously will also contribute one US dollar, donor's name will demonstrate on the public welfare quartz wall Tory Burch Flip Flops.
In order to encourage the more benevolence public figures to participation, the success donation's public figure has the opportunity to win iPhone the 4S handset and designs by Li Jiaxin uses Shi Hualuo the world singular element iPhone4/4S handset outer covering. Finally, the brand will use equates Shi who the final offering number and micro retransmits this active news number of times sum total abundantly Hua the Luo river world singular element, Tory Burch Sandals section of sparkle classics the work to take the eternal commemoration specially Tory Burch Flats.

Anonymous said...

QjyZrf [url=http://cheapggboots.com/] cheap uggs[/url] PhbTvv YwxBto http://cheapggboots.com/ BcxWzn NsfJrm [url=http://parka2013.com/] canada goose jacket[/url] AqiIrv FcaDiv http://parka2013.com/ MgyIth OcfFnt [url=http://cagoosehome.com/]canada goose[/url] RkhFre KtlLcy http://cagoosehome.com/ JugWst UmpWje [url=http://jackets-2012.com/] Canada Goose Outlet[/url] EdiCne WbhJpz http://jackets-2012.com/ XttUfh LbxHtg [url=http://gooseoutlet2013.com/]Canada Goose Outlet[/url] OymHli GksZjx http://gooseoutlet2013.com/ TyuMov RnkTug [url=http://jacketsca.com/]canada goose jacket[/url] SwoRsw JzzVst http://jacketsca.com/ GmzVgs

Anonymous said...

NktOpl [url=http://ukbootshopon.com/]office ugg boots[/url] KvzEvy http://ukbootshopon.com/

Anonymous said...

/> Pieds sont sur le point de tomber! Vous n'avez pas l'habitude des talons de 4 pouces. Mais No Pain No Gain! / Première> est juste autour du coin. /> De terminer une grande répétition avec Rick Fox. Les semelles ont des gardes du talon et des orteils sur Click here eux pour bottes ugg les semelles de vos bottes n'avez pas s'user plus vite que le Made ugg soldes In MARQUE Chine. UEM aussi imperméabilise vos chaussures UGG pour vous, qui vous permet d'économiser de l'argent de ne pas avoir à acheter le Kit. UEM également si vous comparez la peau de mouton de qualité à la Ofthe Made In China MARQUE, weel UEM en peau de mouton est beaucoup plus épais et ne se déchire pas aussi facilement que le Made In MARQUE Chine.
Pour Vous permettre de mieux, conna? Tre Christophe Lemaitre, Nous Vous proposons also juin série de vidéos. La première vidéo intérêt non verticale avant les Jeux Olympiques de 2012. The second is sa conférence de presse avant d'en ENTRER poux sur 200 mètres aux JO de Londres.
5 tips on how to wear pajama pants to school

Anonymous said...

qwpspm [url=http://canada-goose-sales.ca]Canada Goose[/url] ppynnc http://canada-goose-sales.ca hskizt [url=http://canadagooseoutletss.com]Canada Goose[/url] lvfqic http://canadagooseoutletss.com ykkvat [url=http://salecanadagooseoutlet.ca]Canada Goose[/url] rhgiai http://salecanadagooseoutlet.ca jepumh [url=http://mycanadagoose-canada.com]Canada Goose Outlet[/url] pvctxf http://mycanadagoose-canada.com ztfuey [url=http://salecanadagoose-outlets.com]Canada Goose[/url] jbdznb http://salecanadagoose-outlets.com decghx [url=http://salecanaadagoosejackets.ca]Canada Goose Sale[/url] ourepu http://salecanaadagoosejackets.ca vdgtzu

Anonymous said...

KjeAtt [url=http://www.chloemise.com/]クロエ アウトレット[/url] RztJhy WcjSyl http://www.chloemise.com/ PwnZrk TxpMzd [url=http://www.megasyoppu.com/]アグ オーストラリア[/url] LboFdh OezCcu http://www.megasyoppu.com/ CvaElv VaxEjs [url=http://www.bootyangu.com/]アグ オーストラリア[/url] OkpGbw YgzXum http://www.bootyangu.com/ XouHpm

Anonymous said...

MweXmf [url=http://ghdshairscarestore.com/]ghd[/url] CpiIqh http://ghdshairscarestore.com/ YokKtp [url=http://ghdshairscareshop.com/]ghd straighteners[/url] ObpJvj http://ghdshairscareshop.com/ JqzJhz [url=http://ghdshaircarestore.com/]cheap ghd hair straighteners[/url] PywHwe http://ghdshaircarestore.com/ AwyGmo [url=http://ghdshaircareshop.com/]ghd straightener[/url] BwfKxm http://ghdshaircareshop.com/ KjuDoc [url=http://ghdhairscarestore.com/]ghd australia sale[/url] KgjGhv http://ghdhairscarestore.com/ PilTzu [url=http://ghdhairscaresshop.com/]ghd outlet australia[/url] IqfJoh http://ghdhairscaresshop.com/ WjbVmi [url=http://ghdhaircarestore.com/]ghd outlet[/url] AvjXdl http://ghdhaircarestore.com/ ZquLcy [url=http://ghdhaircaresstore.com/]ghd australia[/url] NlxBjn http://ghdhaircaresstore.com/ WdcPcp [url=http://ghdhaircareshop.com/]ghd straightener australia[/url] QnzYgf http://ghdhaircareshop.com/

Anonymous said...

qjhl [url=http://okbeatsbydrecheap.com]Cheap Beats By Dre[/url] faxz http://okbeatsbydrecheap.com gvef hqwn [url=http://beatsbydresalesok.com]Beats By Dre Sale[/url] nuow http://beatsbydresalesok.com zwkt jqik [url=http://okbeatsbydreus.com]Cheap Beats By Dre[/url] ecxj http://okbeatsbydreus.com ywez gmml [url=http://salebeatsbydreoutlet.com]Beats By Dre Outlet[/url] xklw http://salebeatsbydreoutlet.com qzaa

fastfifa14 said...

Pursuing these types of methods will help you do well. Something else we have put into help make things easier within the development pack will be the capacity to offer hold instructions. It's simple to matter orders to be able to your blue and red squads and still have them trigger the adventure in your demand. This permits to the parallel entry of an room from a pair of items. The brand new melee invasion is amazingly beneficial in subduing obstinate civilians--we believe it is to be a fantastic reduction after having was required to head for capturing out there kneecaps. Reveal about it brand new addition--how achieved it occur?PP: The melee attack took place the same manner an individual explained the idea.

Buy Fifa 15 Coins

Cheap Fifa 15 Coins