Fuck hobbyists.
If this isn’t your first love, don’t fucking direct. This is my job, my career. I take it seriously because it’s my career. I work my ass off to get to where I am because it’s my career. I did not get here by dabbling in it.
You have to earn the title of director. It does not apply just because you declare yourself one. I did not call myself an AD when I was only exploring ADing. I became an AD through growing, learning, making mistakes, and moving forward. I learned to use the tools of my trade, the responsibilities I am expected to carry, the shortcuts and tips that help keep me on top of my game. I’m still learning. I’m still making mistakes. But I am getting to where I want to be one step at a time.
This is my life. I can say I am a professional AD because I’m hired to be one and I know the tasks of my job and I’m willing to learn more about it and take criticism to become better.
It’s no different for the director. You cannot come at your crew like you’re the only one that matters when you’ve barely spent time on a set. When your crew and cast are more experienced and more professional than you are at the task, that’s not something to get jealous and angry of. That is something to respect and to take positive learning experiences from. That is something to grow from.
Do not come at me as a hobbyist. Do not come at me if you cannot put the same time and energy into directing as I do ADing or as our DP does designing shots or as our Costumer does sewing and color matching. Don’t act like you know more and deserve to be treated higher than the Key Grip who is working a very physical 14 hour day to ensure that weird lighting gag you wanted. That person has earned their position. If you are a hobbyist, you can never earn the title of director. You will never be able to pour the raw energy and vision into your film if it cannot be made your priority.
Crews do not respect an unprepared director. If you can’t take the time to do your job properly, don’t you dare criticize mine. And don’t you dare give yourself that title.
