How to Become a Film Director?

director William Eubank performs multiple roles on-set as both director and camera operator.

I’ve always been wondering, how to become a famous director like Christopher Nolan, David Fincher or Clint Eastwood. Before I went to Germany and study Wirtschaftsinformatik. At high school I actually wanted to go to a film school, and study how to make a film. And now I read in a forber article, that film school was the most useless majors. Thank god I didn’t went to a film school.

I think that if someone want to be a film director, then they should just start making film as soon as possible. There are two path to be directing film, being hired or making an independent film. At the beginning everyone, who want to become a film director, must make an independent film, by self learning through books like, How to Build a Great Screenplay or Rebel without a Crew. And participate in film festival.

Even  James Cameron, the producer and director of avatar says:

Pick up a camera. Shoot something. No matter how small, no matter how cheesy, no matter whether your friends and your sister star in it. Put your name on it as director. Now you’re a director. Everything after that you’re just negotiating your budget and your fee.

But I don’t have the money to make film.

You can ask people to fund your film at indiegogo. if your idea is great, and people like it, they will help to fund your film. Or first you find a job in the film industry, and start saving money. Aside from that, you can learn a lot of things as production assistant, art director, lighting technician or even craft. And making friends with Production Managers, Producers, Cinematographers and Production Designers. In film industry it is all about who you know, because film industry is actually smaller than you think and people talk.

But it is a very difficult job to get. And at the beginning you will not get any cent from doing your work. Unless you are in love with film-making, I suggest you find another alternative job.