Directors tell the story : master the craft of television and film directing

Move over, movies: the freshest storytelling today is on television, where the multi-episodic format is used for rich character development and innovative story arcs. Directors Tell the Story offers rare insight and advice straight from two A-list television directors whose credits include Monk, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Weeds, and more. They direct dramas and comedies using the same process that Steven Spielberg (or any other movie director uses)-just with less money and time. Learn what it takes to become a director: master the technical aspects, appreciate aesthetic qualities, and practice leadership, all while exuding that "X" factor that distinguishes the excellent director from the merely good one. Covering everything from prep, the shoot, and post, the authors emphasize how aspiring directors can develop a creative vision-because without it, they are just technicians. Hands-on and practical, this book lets you not only read about the secrets of directors, it also includes exercises using original scripted material. The companion web site includes scenes from the authors' own TV shows, along with the scripts, shot lists, and other materials that made the scenes possible. Key Features * Highly experienced Hollywood directors share inside information about what it really takes to be a director, giving the advice that readers covet. * Covers everything a director needs to know: the creative vision, how to translate script into a visual story, establishing the look and feel, selecting and leading a crew, coaching actors, keeping a complex operation on time and on budget, overseeing the edit, and troubleshooting through the whole shoot. * "Insider Info" sections feature interviews, advice, and tips from film and TV luminaries whose productions include Private Practice, Monk, Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, The Informant, American Beauty, and more! * Hands-on exercises help you understand and master the craft of directing. * Highly experienced Hollywood directors share inside information about what it really takes to be a director, giving the advice that readers covet * Covers everything a director needs to know: the creative vision, how to translate script into a visual story, establishing the look and feel, selecting and leading a crew, coaching actors, keeping a complex operation on time and on budget, overseeing the edit, and troubleshooting through the whole shoot. * & quot;Insider Info" sections feature interviews, advice, and tips from film and TV luminaries whose productions include Private Practice, Monk, Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, The Informant, American Beauty, and more! * Hands-on exercises help you understand and master the craft of directing Front Cover 1 Directors Tell the Story 4 Copyright Page 5 Contents 8 Dedication 10 Acknowledgments 12 About the Authors 14 Introduction 16 One: Prep 20 1 Breaking Down the Script for Story 22 Reading Well: Your Secret Weapon 23 Reading for Fun and to Get the Big Picture 24 Identifying the Various Stories 25 Building Your Story One Scene at a Time 26 The Climax: The Payoff to Telling Your Story Well 28 The Dénouement: Wrapping Up the Loose Ends 29 2 Breaking Down the Script for Character 34 Making a COW Chart 34 Exploring Archetypes, Essence, and Imagery 36 Thinking in Pictures 37 Finding the Character Intention 37 Exploring the Character Obstacles 39 3 Casting 42 Casting Roles Other than the Series Regulars 43 The Process of Casting and Making the Actors’ Deals 46 Fighting for Your Casting Choices 48 Learning by Watching 49 Learning by Fantasy Casting 49 Traps to Avoid 50 The Magic of Casting 51 4 Production Design 54 Collaborating Creatively with Department Heads 55 Communicating Well in Concept Meeting 55 Three Key Elements to Production Design 58 Shooting on a Soundstage or Going on Location? 61 Decorating the Set and Selecting the Props 62 Dressing the Actors 64 Other Production Design Departments 64 5 Organizing the Shoot with the First Assistant Director 68 The Servant of Two Masters 68 Generating and Juggling the Shooting Schedule 70 Your Right Arm While Shooting 76 6 Sharing the Vision 84 The Showrunner (Your Boss) 85 The Line Producer (The Money Guy) 86 Asking for Script Fixes 88 Meetings and Making Critical Decisions 90 Discussing Tone and Anything Else You Want to Bring Up 92 7 Blocking and Shot Listing, Part One 96 Where, When, and Why the Characters Should Move 98 Storytelling Around Those All-Important TV Commercials 100 Variations on a Homecoming 101 Your Palette of Shots 106 8 Blocking and Shot Listing, Part Two 112 The Camera and Other Equipment 116 Moving the Shot 120 Making the Day 122 9 Scouting Locations 134 Before the Scout 134 Choosing the Location (a.k.a. the Small Van) 135 The Technical Scout (a.k.a. the Big Van) 138 Shooting at Your Location (a.k.a. Putting the Money on the Screen) 140 Section One Review 144 Two: Shoot 146 10 Directing the Actor 148 The Actor’s Homework: The 5 Ws 148 Shaping a Performance on Set 151 Code Words that Trigger Performance 156 Hints for Honing Comedy 159 Protecting the Actor’s Process 160 11 Below the Line 164 Your Backup Trio 164 Your Crew and What They Do 176 12 All the Other Stuff 186 Working with Animals and Kids 186 Two Kinds of Nakedness 189 Working with Special Effects (SPFX) 191 Stunts 191 Shooting a Big Gag 194 Visual Effects (VFX) 194 CGI and Blue Screen 195 Choreography 196 13 Running the Set 200 How Do You Start? 201 The Psychological Underpinning 203 Harnessing the Magic 205 One Down, Four to Go 208 Personality in the Process 210 Section Two Review 214 Three: Post 216 14 Working with the Editor 218 Before Your Cut: The Editor’s Assembly 218 Knowing the Classic Principles of Editing 220 Breaking the Rules 224 Creating the Director’s Cut 224 Cutting for Story 225 Cutting for Time 226 Adding Music and SPFX 227 An Opportunity Worth Taking 229 15 Working with the Post Supervisor 234 Offline Video 235 Offline Sound 237 Assembling the Dub 240 After the Layback 240 Section Three Review 244 Four: Being a Director 246 16 Being a Director 248 Needing to Tell a Story 248 A Director’s Inner Sense 249 Being a Leader 251 The Business of the Business 252 17 The Demands of the Job 256 Suggestions for Dealing with Stress 257 Problem Solving 259 Tools for Success 261 Compromising Wisely 263 18 Getting Started 266 Bethany’s Story 266 Mary Lou’s Story 267 How I Got My First Directing Job 268 Getting Your Foot in the Door 276 Section Four Review 280 Appendix 282 Glossary 298 Index 316

Move over, movies: the freshest storytelling today is on television, where the multi-episodic format is used for rich character development and innovative story arcs. Directors Tell the Story offers rare insight and advice straight from two A-list television directors whose credits include Monk, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Weeds, and more. They direct dramas and comedies using the same process that Steven Spielberg (or any other movie director uses)-just with less money and time.

Learn what it takes to become a director: master the technical aspects, appreciate aesthetic qualities, and practice leadership, all while exuding that "X? factor that distinguishes the excellent director from the merely good one. Covering everything from prep, the shoot, and post, the authors emphasize how aspiring directors can develop a creative vision-because without it, they are just technicians.

Hands-on and practical, this book lets you not only read about the secrets of directors, it also includes exercises using original scripted material. The companion web site includes scenes from the authors' own TV shows, along with the scripts, shot lists, and other materials that made the scenes possible.

Key Features
* Highly experienced Hollywood directors share inside information about what it really takes to be a director, giving the advice that readers covet.
* Covers everything a director needs to know: the creative vision, how to translate script into a visual story, establishing the look and feel, selecting and leading a crew, coaching actors, keeping a complex operation on time and on budget, overseeing the edit, and troubleshooting through the whole shoot.
* "Insider Info? sections feature interviews, advice, and tips from film and TV luminaries whose productions include Private Practice, Monk, Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, The Informant, American Beauty, and more!
* Hands-on exercises help you understand and master the craft of directing.

"Here, in one volume, learn everything you need to know to become an excellent director, not merely a good one. Covering everything through prep, shoot, and post, the authors offer practical instruction on how to craft a creative vision, translate a script into a visual story, establish and maintain the look and feel of a television show or film, lead the cast and crew, keep a complex operation running on time and on budget, and effectively oversee editing and postproduction."--back cover