What Do Independent Film Directors Do?

Independent film directors are responsible for the artistic vision of a film that is made with little or no financial support from a major studio. A film can have one director or several, though more than two independent film directors is rare on a set. The director or directors will work with the actors to give them instructions on how to act out a scene, and they will also be responsible for instructing the various crew members during the shooting process. Light crews, special effects crews, script supervisors and assistants, and many more crew members will all be instructed by the director.

With the advent of the digital age, the process of making films has become easier, which means independent film directors may have little or no prior experience. These directors may end up taking on more than one role within the production of the film as well; a director may be an actor in the film, the financial backer, the producer, the set designer, and so on. In other cases, independent film directors may only take on the directing tasks, which include all creative aspects of the film. The directors must have a creative vision for the film and carry that vision out to create a final product that captures the essence of the script.

During the filmmaking process, independent film directors will work with the actors to ensure those actors are creating a performance that fits with the overall tone of the film. This can be especially difficult with independent films, since many of the people who act in such films are not professionals. The directors will therefore be responsible for helping actors make corrections, adjust movements, deliver lines more effectively, and essentially give a better performance. In some cases, independent film directors will also write the film, which allows them to adjust the script as necessary to capture the particular emotion or delivery they are seeking.

Once the initial filming is complete, independent film directors will have an active hand in the post-production process. This often means the directors will work with editors to ensure all the shots are in the proper order, the types of shots are varied and compelling, and the overall flow of the film is well done. Sometimes directors may be involved in the sound production of the film as well; voice-overs and musical scores are often added once the film is edited, and directors may oversee these processes.