While critics gush over big screen directors come every Hollywood awards season, film directors are far from the only artists capturing their work on rolling camera. Television direction is commonly a stepping stone to take one’s talents to, in this case literally, a larger stage.Think about the similar skill sets involved. Someone who can successfully
In short, directors who spend time in television are more aptly prepared to take on the daunting task of a major motion picture. The primary difference between tv and movie direction is the sense of ownership taken on by a film’s director. Most tv directors will not direct the same show for the full length of the series, often not even a season, rather directing individual episodes at a time, rotating in and out with other directors. As a result, responsibility for the creative control and collective cohesiveness of the show ultimately falls on the shoulders of the producer(s). This stands in stark contrast to movie making, where the driving themes, motifs and character development are ultimately subject to the director’s interpretation and/or opinion.Television work gives directors a means to reach technical proficiency and provide their own personal touch on a micro scale. Movies, on the other hand, offer the opportunity to create something entirely your own. No disrespect to tv directors, however, as both can be artful, both can be expertly done and both can be done head and shoulders better than other directors in the same field. It’s merely a matter of personal preference and long term career goals. In fact, many famous movie directors will take to directing television either as a novelty or new experience, as the two closely intertwined occupations are not mutually exclusive.