How do people become movie directors or write for movies without going through any film school?

) August 23rd, 2013

I just wondered about that. I mean, did they just submit something or were they discovered by someone who realized they had talent?

I’m not talking about acting. Like the question mentions, I’m strictly referring to DIRECTING movies and WRITING for movies, like the actual screenplay/story/whatever.

I always loved movies and have thought about making them. It’s the one thing that has always been on my mind since I was a kid. I keep talking about it and crafting ideas of things and I got involved with any kind of film directing or editing in school. I was always the first one raising my hand for that one. And I had the aggressiveness for it. Whenever I was in a club and someone was like, “So we need to advertise..” or “We have this idea for a short clip…” I’d be like “OKAY. ME. Done. Let’s do it. No-shut up, you’re not coming. You – yes! You – maybe.” Etc, etc.

Alas, I am pursuing a completely different field. I was a bio major and already am working for a bio industry. But in my down time at my office I never forget that dream and write things down. I’m an aspiring writer on the side and I’m currently trying to get any short story published. So I figured maybe through that niche, maybe if I DO get published that can somehow help me wind down to the movies? I mean, from what I recall, lots of writers get involved in film too. Right?

Observing members: 0

Composing members: 0

6 Answers

many writers were drafted after they succeeded in writing elsewhere, like F Scott Fitzgerald. Many power directors worked their way up from indies starring friends and family, like Spike Lee. But some creative product somehow has to reach some audience before anyone will risk money on you.

anartist (14813

)“Great Answer” (0

) Flag as…

” Alas, I am pursuing a completely different field ”

Alas?

Many writers do get involved in films but many writers rue the experience.

Aspire to write first then see about movies.

Neodarwinian (3008

)“Great Answer” (0

) Flag as…

you know Michael Crichton was a doctor. For films like Andromeda Strain [was his noel to begin with] he was consulted, maybe wrote screenplay, maybe didn’t but still advised and got film rights to book. If you don something really hot in biotech or can even speculate about something really hot in a story, you might find your workaday world gains you access.

anartist (14813

)“Great Answer” (1

) Flag as…

A lot of it is networking. It’s a marketing effort, and just like most sales jobs who you know matters as much if not more than what you know.

Judi (40025

)“Great Answer” (0

) Flag as…

Nepotism. Oh, some directors started off as actors which they became by nepotism.

Hypocrisy_Central (26879

)“Great Answer” (0

) Flag as…

Quentin Tarantino wrote a few movies, then financed his own directing.
Kerry Conran wrote a movie, then created a computer version of it. This lead to his remaking the movie with real actors. It was easy for the producers to see what he had in mind.
David Fincher started making MTV videos. That lead to Aliens3, then Fight Club.

If I were to try to get work in Hollywood, I might write my own script, then video tape it, using friends as actors, and post it on YouTube. If Money People like it, they will let you know.

filmfann (52515

)“Great Answer” (2

) Flag as…