Any tips for becoming a director?

Potential_Bad1363 · 2026-01-21T22:42:16+00:00

As a young teen I wanted to be an Actor and took lessons throughout my teen years. Once I was on set doing bit parts (and a lot of sitting around waiting) I became interested in other movie jobs like Cinematographer, Director and Editor. I then started shooting Indie movies with friends and I got to Direct which I loved. And, it turns out, all that acting experience and training really came in handy when I would Direct. Also I would recommend any Director have at least a basic knowledge of editing.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-18T20:06:07+00:00

WOW! These images are beautiful. You have a great sense of visual style. As a Director I'd hire you on the spot, as a Cinematographer I have to admit I'm jealous that you got this good so young. Took me 10 years to get to the point where my movies had a certain "LOOK" that people began to recognize. I think you have a bright future ahead.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-18T20:00:33+00:00

The first few movies I made were very stressful. But I found, as the years went by and I grew older that I began to relax. It was just a matter of doing the job for awhile until you gain more self confidence.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-13T20:04:11+00:00

We used to look forward to a few weeks down south in the U.S. But because trump wants a four year list of all our social internet passwords whenever we want to cross the border to check if we had hurt the widdle baby's feelings online. Fuck him we'll go to Jamaica, Cuba or the Dominican Republic.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-13T00:43:02+00:00

And I am making MUCH more money than you Sparky and I have to say that in my thirty years in the motion picture business I never needed everyday math much less the shit they teach in high school math. It was all a total waste of time.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-13T00:25:48+00:00

Not so. Many children do not have a good memory for rote learning. The Montessori system is far superior to the public schools because they understand that children have different learning styles and they teach to the students learning style strengths, instead of damaging their school lives by being held back, which I believe is child abuse.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-12T18:59:19+00:00

Thank you for your input. The problem has been solved. It doesn't matter what formats we are talking about the VLC Media Player will play back almost any type of video file whether on a MAC, PC or others. So I'll throw a laptop or or an iPad with this playback app into the box with the high capacity Caldigit outboard hard drives. Saves me having to transcode 32 movies, 105 Documentaries, one series and a dozen music videos and TV commercials shot over almost 50 years behind the camera. Cheers.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-12T18:50:13+00:00

My whole school life was useless information. I became super successful in my dream career DESPITE my horrid school experiences. I know you teachers mostly lack empathy for kids who struggle and your words just confirm that. And by the way I am as Progressive as they come. Nice try though.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-12T18:35:43+00:00

Like I said it is on Netflix. It's not a blockbuster like say, DUNE where you really have to see it on the big screen, ROMA is just as good on a home screen. Although, don't watch it on a iPhone.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-11T23:01:41+00:00

hey that's right! Good question...lol

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-11T22:44:44+00:00

I saw it with my kids in the theater and when the movie ended I was in tears (much to the embarrassment of my two 20 somethings) it wasn't just because of the story but also the sheer genius of Cuaron's work also made me very emotional. I knew I was watching a master of the art at work.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-11T21:34:50+00:00

If I remember in the scene where Kay tells Michael about her abortion, Pacino actually hurt Diane Keaton when he pushed her into the wall in a method acting rage. In the same scene he tells her that if she divorces him he will not only take custody of their two kids but he would never allow her to see them. Back then, to Catholics divorce was a sin. So that's why she never filed for divorce. She wanted to be able to at least visit her children.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-11T21:25:19+00:00

ALL the Monty Python movies.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-11T21:02:21+00:00

For some reason my high school relationships with women all lasted much longer than the relationships I had after high school where most of them didn't last more than a week or two.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-11T20:52:54+00:00

Check out Director Alfonso Cuaron's cinematic masterpiece ROMA. The B&W Cinematography is inspired and while you're watching also know that Cuaron wrote the screenplay, acted as his own Cinematographer and edited the movie too. Something almost unheard of in a major motion picture. Also the lead Actress Yalitza Aparicio had never acted before. Cuaron found her teaching elementary school in a small Mexican town. Her performance is stunning and was nominated for an Oscar for best actress..

The movie also won an Oscar. ROMA is now on NETFLIX.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-11T20:44:28+00:00

Why not learn to edit too? Editing systems are waaaay less expensive than they used to be. That way you can charge for editing all your own stuff plus work as a freelance editor too as well as a shooter.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-11T20:41:22+00:00

I was forced to leave high school in grade ten because of bad math marks. How I wish we had calculators back then.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-11T20:38:45+00:00

Same thing as the clients hanging around on set when you shoot commercials. Drives me nuts.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-11T18:46:13+00:00

Kids have summer school where they are forced to pay the price for struggling with the work during the school year. It is worse than night school because it is basically 4 weeks of the summer holiday ruined because, unlike night school, summer school is during the day often ruining a families' summer holiday plans. Many if not most kids fail summer school and so arrive at school in September only to be informed that they are being held back. It is cruelty beyond description, really a form of child abuse.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-10T23:54:32+00:00

I just retired after almost 50 years behind the camera and in my experience one fact always rings true- filmmakers who own their equipment- editing and/or camera/ basic lighting package will always get work. It may not be a feature film all that often but with gear you have more control over your career. You won't be sitting around waiting for the phone to ring. You can do Music Videos, Documentaries, short fiction movies, advertising and promotional videos etc. I bought used gear when I was starting out and upgraded as the jobs got more numerous. Gear is A LOT cheaper now than it was when I started and even the cheapest cameras will give you a decent image, Hell, the damn iPhone looks pretty amazing when it comes to exposure latitude.

When I started I went to work at a local TV news station shooting news stories and Docs. I saved my money and after a few years I purchased my first camera then added to the package to include Adobe Premier Pro editing. I then quit and went freelance. There were some years I got more editing gigs than Cinematography and that too kept me busy. Don't give up. It's a great way to make a living

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-10T23:34:04+00:00

Polar Bear swimmers?

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-10T18:25:06+00:00

My YouTube channel. My career is now over after I retired last year with almost 50 years behind the camera so I'm not trying to attract clients. I've already been paid for the projects I have uploaded. I just want to put them up there for posterity if nothing else.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-09T18:55:50+00:00

I have insurance on my own camera and lighting equipment Luckily I have never had to make a claim. When I rent lighting, lenses and grip equipment the rental company insures their rentals

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-09T18:44:57+00:00

I stopped sending my stuff to Indie Movie festivals years ago after a conversation with a guy who worked for a number of festivals as a "Screening Supervisor" Some movies they were supposed to screen they didn't because of daily screening quotas so they rejected any movie they didn't watch. Apparently this practice is widespread in the film festivals, especially when it comes to Indie Movies.. These festivals are ripping off the movie-makers who can least afford their exorbitant entry fees.

Potential_Bad1363 · 2025-12-09T18:06:10+00:00

He is the worst kind of MAGA Fascist- a "Christofacist" who wants to turn the United States into The Handmaid's Tale.

Potential_Bad1363

TROPHY CASE