Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

I work in the film / TV industry and read a lot of these "behind the scenes" books, I've never met the author but he evidently knows his stuff, packed with very useful information told in an easy going style with lots of "real life" examples.
I strongly recomment this book if you are involved in the Film or TV world in ANY capacity.

Charles Wilkinson pulls no punches, and the result is powerful. It's like he took you under his wing and explained the dos and don'ts of directing, not the film school stuff, but the tricks of the trade that you need to survive in the real world. I learned that there are many rules on a set, and how you interact with those on the food chain above you, and below you, can make or break your career. If you plan to be a director, "The Working Director" is full of good stuff that you need to know.

The term "working director" refers to the type of director who gets hired for various movies and TV shows, instead of just picking his projects wherever he wants like Speilberg or Cameron. This book doesn't contain much information on the "art" of directing. Instead it tends to focus on the business of it, and that's exactly what makes it enjoyable. Tips on how to not piss off the producer who may be in charge of hiring you for your next job, how to earn the cast and crew's confidence and loyalty, and what will be expected of you on set are what makes it unique.
On the down side the book really only slightly dips into any given topic, more "quik tips" then any real in depth advice. But at least that makes it a fun, fast moving read.

I happened upon this book in the local library and the title caught my eye. There are many books about screenwriting and how to make it in hollywood, but not too many in my opinion show how to make it from day to day, project to project like " The Working Director." I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in directing.

I have read literally dozens of books on Film Directing and this is the best book I have EVER read on directing the film. Period. It is a fast, easy read, and 100% employable - meaning every page has info you will use on the set.

I am an actor who had a directing gig fall in my lap, and will be in Australia at the end of the year DIRECTING a circus movie! No formal film school, (beyond my degree in acting), so I've been interviewing everyone I know who has directed films, and reading every book I can find on 'Directing The Film', directors on directing, Dmytryk "On Screen Directing", "The 5 C's of Cinematography"... and MANY others. Hands down, this is the most useful and practical. ...Followed by The 5 C's.

Thank you Charles Wilkinson. It is my fervent wish to meet and work with you someday.

~ Jordana Capra
(yes, distant)

I want to thank author and tell to anybody who is looking for highly professional and expirienced book about shooting process that this book is a gift. You will not find all answers on questions about filmmaking, but you will understand a whole structure of this process. Easy reading. Truth. Expirienced author. 5 stars.

I am a filmmaker in LA and have made three short films and currently find myself a little stumped about the next course of action that I should take.
I have to say however that while I have gone through many of the steps that are outlined in your book I found so much new stuff that I feel re-inspired to get cracking and get something made.
I spent years as an actor reading these types of books and it was only recently that I found out about your book for directors.
Thanks man, you have written a great book for those of us trying to find our way in this endeavour and I hope to cross paths with you one day on the set!!!