How To Become A Film Director In Alabama

By: Margaret Morgan

Break Studios Contributing Writer

If you want to learn how to become a film director in Alabama, you must have ambition and drive. If you truly want to become a film director in Alabama, get serious and follow these necessary steps.

  1. Earn a Bachelor's degree or higher. Film and video production schools are located all over the United States. The Art Institute and The New York Film Academy are only two of their kind, and the choice of film school is completely up to you. Within your course work you will learn how to design story boards, shoot video, and edit film among other aspects of film making. These skills are necessary to become a film director in Alabama and other states. While enrolled, you will make your own movies whether they are short or full length films. Each film made while in film school can be used on your resume, after all you created them. You work with an academic advisor and other faculty within the school to create a portfolio of your in school accomplishments. These accomplishments will help you become a film director. 
  2. Enter your movie into a film festival or contest. While in college or film school you may have an opportunity to enter your film into a contest or in the local area film festival. Find a list of the film festivals held in Alabama and submit your work. By doing so, you can gain the opportunity to work on a larger film, get an internship with a large production company, or even win awards or screenings of your film.
  3. Gain experience and become employed as a film director. Upon graduating with your degree in film and video production, apply for positions at companies in Alabama that interest you the most. Take heart if you are not immediately employed, and continue to stay positive and determined. Begin with entry level and work your way up. The more experience you obtain the better. Apply for internships as well
  4. Network as much as possible. The more contacts you gather in the industry the better. The film industry is all about how you know. So mingle and befriend as many contacts as you can. These contacts will help you become a film director in Alabama and other states.
  5. Obtain membership with Directors Guild of America. Once you have become employed in the industry, even if it is on the ground floor, apply for membership with the Directors Guild of America. Being a member opens a lot of doors and increases the odds for you to become a film director.
Posted on: Mar. 26, 2010