OK not blogged for a while - so a bit of a rambly one this one. There's been talk elsewhere about the need for scriptwriters to multi-task these days and consider being 'writer-directors' or 'writer-producers'.
Having come into writing more from the filmmaking end in the first place I'm inclined to agree that this is the way forward. In these digitally diverse times, there's a greater need for writers to extend their creative repertoire. Plus directing feeds writing and vice versa. 'Writer-producer' is a more difficult one (in my opinion - since writers and producers tend to exhibit diametrically opposed personality traits) But then again - being industry savvy, personable and business-like in approach can only enhance a career.
A bit of a tangent now: I started off making strange little art films with no recognisable beginning, middle or end - in which people wandered about and said and did odd things. There were (politely) called 'anti-narratives.' I was more interested in telling stories (but this was a bit of no-no then in art filmmaking). So in my early shorts, the stories fought to be recognised.
One day I attended a degree show 'installation' at some big Art College. At the front of the room was a large TV, placed with the screen facing the wall. The audience filed in. The TV was switched on and in the darkened room we were treated to a 20 minute viewing of the 'glow' projected on the wall from the monitor. After 4 minutes I ran to the door and demanded to be let out citing claustrophobia. I think it was actually an early manifestation of 'fear of storyless-ness' - ( if there is such a thing.)
Later - characters from my 'anti-narrative' shorts returned in more conventional stories.
(Some people say that we all only really have one story, which we tell over and over again in a different form. Sometimes it’s a circle and sometimes it’s a spiral. This is starting to sound like a topic for another post.)
Back on topic: There's this mystique about directing and I have no idea why since writing and re-writing is often harder than directing. Of course the two demand different skills. Writers can be self effacing, writer-directors can not. Writing is often solitary, directing is team work. The director involvement is also shorter. Writing can go on endlessly. Directing demands more social/ people skills. It is also stressful, requires meticulous planning and involves a massive amount of crisis management. However directing is also great fun - so long as there is a good, experienced producer and competent crew to back up a 'new' director.
So over to you. Writer only or writer-director (and why)?
Plus if anyone has any queries about writer-directors - then drop a comment. Ta
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6 comments:
Been thinking about this a lot lately FA and I'm still undecided but think I may be leaning more towards Writer-Producer...
really Lianne? I've never been too keen on the administrative and organisational side of producing (not to mention getting on the phone!)
I've been thinking about it a lot too. Writer-Producer has been good for Paul Abbott but from what I hear it has taken its toll, too.
I'm going for the writer-director as that dice seems to have been rolled for me (at the moment). I would love to produce but have problems answering the phone, never mind picking it up to call someone!
I am crap at the actual photography. That's what scares me about writer-director.
P - that's exactly why directors get good people round them
I'm okay with the admin stuff and even though I'm a bit phone-phobic I can do it when I really want something. I'd love to work with the actors and do that aspect of directing but the technical stuff does frighten me a bit, so that's what puts me off. But you know, never say never!
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