What To Expect When You’re Directing

By Chloé Laight

My head thoroughly wedged between the armpit of one man and the moist back of another, I was rattling my way across town to South West (sob) London for a crash course in directing at the London Film Academy.?

For four days, I’d be getting to grips* with everything that happens behind the camera, and then team up with a cinematographer – also on a four-day crash course – to deliver a final film. Did I mention it was four days? Really, really super chill.?

*get it?

_____

Day 1.

I was late but no one made jokes about my last name so we were off to a good start.?

The lecturer asked us about our jobs, what we wanted to get out of the course and what our favourite movies were (Paddington 2).

Ice-breakers done, we were tasked to get into groups of twos and threes, and list down as many crew members we could think of that were needed on set, and what they did. Coincidentally, Greg and Andy at Ralph had given me a presentation about this just two days earlier. Result.?

After watching a clip from Witness – and as Harrison Ford’s number one fan, I was delighted – we talked about camera positions, blocking and what, in our opinion, made for an interesting scene. Sat at the back I furiously scribbled down notes from those who had better ideas than me.

After being told what scene we were going to shoot for our final piece, we met the DOPs and talked about the vision (what a wanker) for our short: mood, vibe, tone etc. Brain atrophy.?

Day 2.?

When I arrived there were two actors in the room, who we’d be working with for the next two days. Around the theatre, we took it in turns to put our ~one day of~ knowledge to the test and walk the proverbial directorial walk.

Then it was DOP time again. Together, we went through the script the final time: shot lists, visual references, and sorted out a semblance of a plan for shoot day tomorrow.?

Day 3.?

The big day loomed and I’d listened to more directing podcasts than you could shake a stick at. Sidenote: why are they all men? Boring. I’d printed out ten shot lists - absolutely not needed - and made my way back to the blacked-out basement, where the whole of the course was waiting. We’d only had a bit of time to set up, so I ran down to the props department and grabbed anything velvet I could get my mitts on.?

Within thirty minutes - we set and shot, and sat there watching the monitor, it felt somewhat religious.?

Day 4.?

It was The Edit?, and the only Premiere I’d ever touched was the offie at the end of my street.

After being given the rushes, we cut, spliced and sliced our way through our films for what seemed like forever (4 hours). Close to throwing the Mac out the window, the lecturer took pity on me and showed me around the keyboard for the eighth time that morning. Suffice to say Thelma Schoonmaker I am not.?

After running to the pub at 4pm and back again at twenty past after necking a nervous pint, we sat for the showcase and watched each other's films for the first time. For four days’ worth of work, it was incredible, really, and I felt a bit emotional - a shock to no one who knows me. Cue clapping.?

_____

After these four days, I had an epiphany.

I’d always thought that directing was a space cut off from me; a space exclusive for people with a lot of money, a daddy in the film business and/or men. But as someone who’s always been obsessed with movies, I realise this is what I want to do. I just can’t believe it’s taken me this long to realise I want to make one.?