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How to become
Filmaker
Who are Filmmakers?
In the making of any audiovisual project, Filmmakers are the persons to refer to for all crew and production members. Whether it is fiction, documentaries, or commercials, they are in charge of the actual directing as much as some of the writing and pre-production, shooting direction, and post-production phases. Versatile creatives, they are visual storytellers, able to guide the actors and team to the ultimate goal of engaging an audience through a unique emotional journey.
What do Filmmakers do?
Filmmakers’ tasks are different and individual responsibilities may vary considerably from project to project. For example, some professionals may collaborate or be personally involved in writing the script; while, in other cases, they may step in at the end of this phase. In fact, their actual role begins with planning and pre-production: a moment in which, for example, art direction is defined, actors and locations are chosen. During filming, they lead the cast and coordinate the production team to get the best possible footage in relation to the story to be told. Here, they contribute to the photography, filming, and creation of a product’s visual output. During post-production, they take part in the editing process to assemble scenes, add visual effects, and perfetcion the final result.
What skills should Filmmakers have?
Covering such a multifaceted role requires a combination of technical, artistic and communication skills.
- Storytelling skills to write or tell engaging stories in pictures.
- Technical knowledge and mastery of cameras, lights, microphones, and other filming equipment.
- Directing skills to guide the cast and production team toward a common vision.
Artistic sensitivity to define visual aesthetics through lighting and composition of striking images.
How to become a Filmmaker?
While there have been highly successful self-taught filmmakers in the history of cinema, today's Filmmakers are increasingly professionals who have followed a specific training course such as NABA's Three-year BA in Cinema and Animation. The educational program includes theoretical courses in Film and Video History as well as purely practical teachings such as Audio and mixing. The conception and realization of a short-format product is, for example, central to the Directing 1 course, which is taught as early as the first year. In general, one of the goals is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge to shape audiovisual projects. Emphasis is placed on students’ own poetics, attention to the authorial aspect and direction of actors, and narrative and stylistic experimentation.
