The Working Director: How to Arrive, Survive and Thrive in the Director's Chair [Paperback]

Charles Wilkinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2005

A step-by-step guide to the rules of engagement--starting with what and what not to say on the first producer phone call, how to deal with writers, with stars, with crews. A fun, irreverent, informative, gloves-off guide to landing the work, doing the work, and getting more.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

According to Wilkinson, numerous volumes have been devoted to the "A" director who helms blockbusters. This snappily written, candid and informative book addresses the other 95% of the world's directors: working "helmers" (Variety-speak for "director") like Wilkinson who lack absolute power and must answer to producers. Told briskly, in the style of an old, trusted friend, this narrative about "getting work, doing work, getting more work" recognizes the competitive nature of the business. But Wilkinson, who has directed independent features, network TV movies and TV shows, believes talented people can break through. He discusses the value of agents, assesses whether "to schmooze or not to schmooze" and analyzes a director's responsibility to come up with a viable cast and valid ideas about film style, script, location, crew and shooting schedule. On a personal level, Wilkinson stresses the need for directors to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and gain a clear idea of how others see them. He covers multiple details of pre-production, casting, storyboarding, mixing, editing and choice of music. Above all, he emphasizes extreme care: after a take, a good director will say, "That was perfect—we're going again." That assertive precision is evident throughout this meticulously organized book, one that should prove highly useful for aspiring directors. Photos.
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Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions (February 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932907025
• ISBN-13: 978-1932907025
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Stress > Anger Management

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Working Director Works... for Directors, March 1, 2005

By 

Pi Ware (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Working Director: How to Arrive, Survive and Thrive in the Director's Chair (Paperback)

The Working Director

By Charles Wilkinson

Review by Pi Ware

Many are the books which lay out the technical processes of directing. These types of manuals instruct the aspiring director in how to choose lens sizes, how to stay on the correct side of the 180 degree line, and how to stage eyelines for multiple actors in a dialogue sequence.

But what about getting a job? How do you do that? Or once you've staged your multiple actors in a dialogue sequence, what happens when one says, "There's no f-ing way my character would say that line!"? And how exactly should you comport yourself when the transportation department offers you a ride in the Shelby Cobra stunt car?

Real-world questions like these are addressed in Charles Wilkinson's new book, The Working Director, (Michael Wiese Productions, $22.95) The book is written in an easy, informal style and deals not simply with the technical aspects of directing but with the day-to-day politics of pursuing directing as a career.

Wilkinson takes you on a ride through the entire process: moving to town, setting up shop, applying for and getting the job, casting, pre-production, production, post-production, even the wrap party. While learning how to get the shot correctly is the focus of most technical manuals, learning how to get the shot quickly, effectively and within the given budget is the focus of The Working Director.

The majority of The Working Director is eye-opening. It's a kind of "things they never teach you in film school" book, a book that informs you of more than the department heads' responsibilities, a book that invites you into the mindset of the main players. The one drawback of Wilkinson's book is the author's assumption that the reader has an intimate knowledge of such terminology as "banking time" and "owing setups". This type of film jargon distances the writing from all but the most seasoned professional.

But overall, The Working Director is instructive and enlightening, offering countless real-world tips on how to stay calm, cool and collected in one of the world's most stressful jobs. And thus, The Working Director is a must-read for anyone seriously considering a career as a director of film or television.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT, INSIGHTFUL RESOURCE, April 5, 2005

By 

Jonathon E. Stewart "JStew" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Working Director: How to Arrive, Survive and Thrive in the Director's Chair (Paperback)

As an independent director and voracious reader of anything that seems as though it might be beneficial in developing my career, I found Charles Wilkinson's THE WORKING DIRECTOR to be an extremely insightful tool. Unlike most resourses out there, this book delves less into issues that are strictly theoretical (lens choices, lighting, etc.) and more into the practicalities of what it is actually like to work as a director. From a clearly veteran point of view, Wilkinson takes the reader from the first phone call through every stage of production, using his own experience to lend advice and highlight potential pitfalls that can snare the unwary novice. His discourse even takes a step further and offers the reader a window into what life can be like off the set and at home as well. Harried schedules, working in close proximity with people outside one's family, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are subjects he touches upon in the interest of doing the best job possible, and the ultimate goal of leading a fulfilling life. The book is a very honest portrayal of the JOB of being a director as opposed to the CRAFT of being a director; while both are clearly essential for success, until now it has only been possible to read and study the latter. If you have ever wondered what it is like to helm a project amidst a cast of seasoned professionals who are constantly looking to you for decisions that could ultimately make or break your career, THE WORKING DIRECTOR is a must-read.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Directing Is Really Like, June 7, 2005

By 

Kordt Larsen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Working Director: How to Arrive, Survive and Thrive in the Director's Chair (Paperback)

The Hollywood punchline for every waiter, model, wannabee is "what I really want to do is direct". They should read this book first.

Many want to be the next Lucas or Spielberg or Coppola, but the truth is... if they can find their way into a spot to direct, they better have all the information they need to not only do the job of directing, but not shoot themselves (pardon the pun) in the foot so they can get another directing assignment after their "one big break".

"The Working Director" provides a wealth of information on all topics directorial - from getting projects, to handling distracted agents and surly producers and petulant divas, to sound on-set production techniques and more.

Whether you work in motion pictures, television or (as I do) in advertising production, you'll find a treasure of great ideas and uplifting inspiration to deal with the vagaries of an exciting, but fickle business.

Best of all, this great book isn't written by a reporter or a professor who's never worked "real" production. It's written by exactly who the title describes - a working director.

This guy knows the turf. You won't find a better book about directing.