The job of the director is to inspire those around him to understand what is in his heart. They will then do their jobs, armed with that understanding, but expressed in their own personal way. The more universal and compelling the feeling that the director possesses, the easier it is for the crew to do their work. This, of course, depends on the talent of the director - his ability to communicate what lies in his heart to the crew, the actors, and ultimately the audience.

A director is there to help everyone do their jobs better - not the other way around. His most important work is to help the actors do their job.

Walter Huston (John's father) knocked around Hollywood for years before he finally got the chance to play leading men.  When John Huston offered him the 'old man' part in THE TREASURE OF SIERRA MADRE, Walter was reluctant to acccpt the part - he feared that it would ruin all the work he'd done to get out of playing down and out, low-class people.  On top of that, John insisted that Walter remove his false teeth and look as beaten down and unkempt as possible.  Walter finally agreed and it is the part for which he is probably best known and won him the Academy Award giving him the kind of Hollywood currency he'd always craved.  When John was asked how it was to direct his own father he replied, "On a movie the director is the father".  I see his point. A director is much like the father in a family. He may lead by intimidation, or by seduction, or by example, or by violence, or by bribery, or by surrender. Different crews are inspired by different methods. How a director leads is abundantly clear in the final product - the more talented he is, the clearer is his imprint.

A director cannot tell someone how to do their job - he can only inspire them to do their best. The rest is up to them. The director gives over the movie to the cast and crew - by the time he begins filming his job is nearly over (in the shooting phase).

It is terribly frustrating and unfulfilling to direct a movie where it is clear to all involved from the start (the script) what it is about - what it means. Your job in that circumstance is to do the best you can to bring that meaning across to an audience - a task at which you can only fail. It also creates a preachy, manipulative movie - one that lacks any true surprise and discovery - or joy.

 

Writing	Directing	Acting	Shooting
Editing	Producing	Financing	Distribution