Director's Package at DVinfo.net

G. Lee Gordon · February 16th, 2010, 11:27 PM

If you are hired on by a major studio to direct a film, video, etc. as a standard do you get to pick your storyboard artist or any other crew members. Are they usually included or are there certain crew members that come from the directors budget? Do you get to choose the format, cameras, etc? In a typical studio deal, what should a director be prepared to bring to the table?

Brian Drysdale · February 17th, 2010, 04:13 AM

I suspect it depends on the politics of any particular feature film, but directors do want to put their stamp on things and producers (usually) want to have a creative team that works together. A replacement director could fire old director's DP for example, but less likely to replace stars because the funding is probably dependant on the attached name. They're unlikely to be involved in hiring the camera assistant, but are more likely to be involved in firing them. Cameras etc would have to be OKed by the studio people and the producer, but usually would be done in discussion with the DP eg some love Panavision gear etc. The shooting format would be a part of these discussions. If you're shooting film or digital could be done before this.

TV drama can be a very different, with directors having very little control, it's not that unusual for them to have little or no involvement in post production. Again this varies from country to country, but it happens in the USA perhaps less so in the UK especially on top end drama.

February 16th, 2010, 11:27 PM	#1
G. Lee Gordon Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 431	Director's Package If you are hired on by a major studio to direct a film, video, etc. as a standard do you get to pick your storyboard artist or any other crew members. Are they usually included or are there certain crew members that come from the directors budget? Do you get to choose the format, cameras, etc? In a typical studio deal, what should a director be prepared to bring to the table? __________________ "Get Er Done!!!"

February 17th, 2010, 04:13 AM	#2
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	I suspect it depends on the politics of any particular feature film, but directors do want to put their stamp on things and producers (usually) want to have a creative team that works together. A replacement director could fire old director's DP for example, but less likely to replace stars because the funding is probably dependant on the attached name. They're unlikely to be involved in hiring the camera assistant, but are more likely to be involved in firing them. Cameras etc would have to be OKed by the studio people and the producer, but usually would be done in discussion with the DP eg some love Panavision gear etc. The shooting format would be a part of these discussions. If you're shooting film or digital could be done before this. TV drama can be a very different, with directors having very little control, it's not that unusual for them to have little or no involvement in post production. Again this varies from country to country, but it happens in the USA perhaps less so in the UK especially on top end drama.