TV Writer Twitter talks a bunch about how to make your way into a writers' room-- becoming an assistant, writers' programs at studios, contests, etc. Did you know that there are similar tactics by which you can become a director? Just putting it out there.
Especially in the last several years as studios, networks, and individual producers have woken up to how very entrenched inherent bias is when selecting directors. (When I started, it wasn't weird for a producer to look me in the eye and say "We tried a woman. Didn't work out.")
So, THATS a fucked up thing that was happening a lot in the 21st century to women and people of color who wanted to direct some television. But it's something a lot of showrunners and execs are working to fix.
This means that structured shadowing programs and criteria for hiring fresh new directors have been implemented more widely. Shadowing means you glue yourself to a prepping director and get to see everything they do to do their jobs. It's illuminating. Sets you up for success.
So, how do you get considered for something like this? Well, one thing I'll tell you is I would take the ask seriously from ANYONE working on our shows. Seasoned writer, art department PA, transpo, on-set makeup, ANYONE.
Everyone working on a TV show is working their ass off. To make TV. A think they are presumably interested in and even passionate about. That's about the sum of it IMHO, as far as that goes. So, step one, get in the door anywhere you can and go from there.
BUT WAIT! What if you can't because you're in Nowheresville or you have to make a certain kinda living to support your kids or WHATEVER reason you can't get coffee for the DP for not very much cash? You're still not out of the game, love, if you don't wanna be.
What you need is a movie you can show us. This used to be a huge barrier to entry. Writing a script costs nothing but sanity and the price of a shitty laptop. Making a short used to be costly AF. But no more! Your phone is a motherfucking MOVIE STUDIO, friend.
Watch Tangerine. My understanding is they shot a good deal of that extremely good film on an iPhone. I'm sure they had their little tricks and cheats but so will you if you apply all your brainpower and google the fuck out of it, and also do the big thing, which is...
GO SHOOT SOMETHING. You just gotta go make something, get your feet wet, and then eventually, and I don't know how long this will take for you, this is the part that's between you, your work ethic and your god, but eventually you'll have something good enough to show people.
That's what our producing director @widgetfactoryco asks for when any aspiring director comes to him and asks for the opportunity to be considered. He wants to see something that shows you're ready for the challenge. That doesn't mean a massive blockbuster. It means SOMETHING.
This would go all night if I got derailed by the details of what it takes to get good at anything worth getting good at. Let's assume you're down for that. I'm just here to tell you: you can legit make a cool movie in your house with your phone, and this can legit help you.
So if you're dreaming of this, I've been sent by your dead gramma to tell you to stop thinking it's some weird fancy job for Harvard people only. Get in the ring. Ask for what you want, and start practicing. Know that your first calling card is how hard you work at what you do.
Now that I've typed all this out the revelations contained herein don't seem all that shocking so I'll just add, there's a reason I hopped on the Twitter to say this to whoever needs to hear it. It is this:
I was talking to a producer today who noted that he is surrounded by dudes who want to direct. And he notes that while he may also be surrounded by women who want the same, they are FAR less likely to ask.
Can't blame 'em. See above about how fucked the culture has been. And in, like, the patriarchy. What I'm trying to do is just say: it's not magic. You don't have to be perfect. Or a dude. You can follow certain concrete steps that will lead you to this challenging gig you crave.
SO. Start thinking of a very small, simple idea to shoot on your own time as a first step. And if you are in any way involved with production, be brave enough to simply ask what is required for a shadowing slot. That's my homework for you.
And when you worry you're not good enough or "ready yet", check and see if you are anything besides a white dude* and know that if you are, you're more likely to wait longer to ask for the same permission and chance. (*White dudes can be great too.)
