Ten top tips for new directors

Odelay has often been a real incubation space for new talent, we see potential in directors at the start of their career off the back of short films and promos, and then build them up to be successful commercial directors. 

We are always on the hunt for the right directors to join our roster, but who we decide to sign in the end comes down to a few factors. Up until now, its hasn’t really been that easy to put into words – it’s felt like instinct or intuition – I have found myself describing directors to the team as “They feel very Odelay” or “they don’t feel Odelay”; and somehow that shorthand seems to make sense to us. 

The process of preparing for the talk I gave at the UK Creative Festival helped to dissect what it is that makes me stop and take note. 

Pru Beecroft, MD of Odelay Films.

1. Craft your style

This is easier said than done when you are starting out. You may be keen to explore all the genres, media, narrative length, tone and style. You may want to create a high-paced thriller one day, then a slapstick comedy animation the next. That exploration is key to developing your voice as a director so DO IT. 
But when you are ready to be signed you will need to pick a thread that runs through your work that creates a collection.

Use every platform at your disposal to promote yourself.

Start having your style in mind, start collating themes that work for you. Of course, no directors wish to be pigeonholed, but if there is a consistency and recurring theme in your work it will give the client or commissioner assurances of how you deliver their vision. So, think about it early on and aim to be as intentional as possible. 

2. Build your profile

Once you have your style established – start building your profile to support it. We often spot directors on Instagram, for example, so make each platform work for you. Think of the images, BTS and profile shots you feature. Have a separate account for your personal images so when we are reviewing your social feeds, we don’t have to filter through your social life too. 

Websites don’t need to be complex, just make them clear. You can communicate your style through colour and font choices too. Use every platform at your disposal to promote yourself. 

Enter awards, go to festivals and industry events, introduce yourself to production companies in person where possible. Stand out by being present and in the room too. I know lots of events are London-centric, but not all of them, so keep an eye on what’s on in your local area too.

Explore Your Nature Part 3: Fire & Feeling, Benjamin Falk, Odelay Films.

3. Be articulate 

We work in a communication led industry so it’s worth investing time in how you come across on emails, in pitches and in person. There are many talented directors who struggle with the written language. If you are dyslexic or perhaps English is not your first language there may be some anxiety about how you come across. The good news is there is help. 

Flag this to your production company (when you do get signed). We often support our directors with a treatment writer and our reps and EPs are on hand to proofread. But before having that support around you; use free tools like your spell check on your laptop (so easy but it astounds me how bad some emails can be) and try Grammarly or Quilbot. 

Keep constantly building your bank of refs so that you can back up your ideas.

When it comes to being articulate in a pitch you don’t need to be extraverted-social-buzzbees! While being able to be confident in your ideas and how to talk through them is important, there is no need to be a different version of yourself. Be prepared, be clear and concise and take your time to convey your ideas. 

4. Know your references

When you are at pitch stage you may need to pull a treatment together in a matter of days. A treatment can be a 30–40-page deck of your ideas showing HOW you are going to execute the creative idea in your style from cinematography, art dept, locations, casting, music, sound design, grade, VFX etc. 

Start building references you like now; bookmark websites, start a Pinterest board of styling references you love, follow photographers on Flickr, find interesting people on tik tok, and screen shot stills of movies you love, collate playlists that evoke certain emotions for you.

 Production can’t always and won’t always go to plan.

I personally feel we need to shed the ego of ‘high-brow’ culture and ‘low-brow’ internet refs – if it’s relevant and conveys your ideas then you can include a still from impressionist painting or a Love Island episode. Keep constantly building your bank of refs so that you can back up your ideas with refs that help others get inside your head and are clear on your vision. 

Inspired by the world, Peter Lee Scott.

5. Share the client’s passion 

A brand manager may have been cultivating a brand positioning for years, an agency may have spent months developing their creative concept. They need to entrust you to take their ideas and bring them to life on screen. It can be daunting, so they want to ensure the person they choose to do this job cares about it. 

A really great director is one that can be very solution focused in the face of adversity.

Do your research on the client and their previous campaigns. What do you love about the brand/artist? What do they mean to you? Do you have a personal affiliation? Share that passion and enthusiasm and it will help assure them you will be a safe pair of hands to add the magic to the film. 

6. Be adaptable 

Production can’t always and won’t always go to plan. Talent can get sick, your outdoor park location for a night shoot turns out be a ‘dogging hotspot’, there may be a freak snowstorm in April while shooting a summer scene, or there could be a water shortage as you are about to shoot a bath scene (yes, these are all real stories!). 

While your production team will be mitigating as many risks as possible and planning for backups too, a really great director is one that can be very solution focused in the face of adversity, quick to come up with options, able to adapt and unflappably cool. 

Our Crown, Kristyna Archer.

7. Be a great collaborator 

Also known as “Don’t be a d**k”. Teamwork makes the dream work, especially in film. While the ‘vision’ on set is coming from the director – don’t forget that you need a whole team of experts to work together. 

Your crew represent you on set; not only do they need to be gifted and able to deliver on their responsibilities on the day, but they should represent your values too. 

Be constructive and kind with feedback, don’t burn bridges. Also check your ego – you are making films for a client or commissioner much of the time. Take on board their notes and explain what, how and why you have landed on your approach and work together to get to the solution.

8. Build a trusted team 

Your crew represent you on set; not only do they need to be gifted and able to deliver on their responsibilities on the day, but they should represent your values too. While we rarely come across really inappropriate behaviour it has the potential to affect the shoot. Be aware of who you surround yourself with.