Director. Executive Producer.
My Directing Principles
A lot of you know me from ER. But I also helmed some of your favorite shows. Chicago PD, Twilight Zone, and even some of my own work that I produced by myself.
The industry is changing right now — it’s very different than when I came up. But some things — man, they never change. To any young indie filmmakers, I hope you find these tenants below as helpful as I did.
❋ On Directors Talking to ActorsWhat does it cost you? If you don’t know, raise the stakes.
I was fortunate enough to learn this early on as an artist. If we aren’t telling the stories of people in do or die situations then we are letting our audiences down.
This tenant specifically refers to directing actors– their motivation must move them so completely that they will fight tooth and nail to achieve their “want.” This makes for an interesting scene.
But this statement can also be applied to filmmaking, writing, drawing, any form of art. If it’s not costing you anything (spiritually & from your soul), then it’s not deep enough. Push harder.
❋ Episodic TVHow you do little is how you do big.
This is very pertinent to shifting from a short film into a feature or episodic TV. Make sure you learn how to handle yourself properly, handle your actors and crew with care, and handle your story with respect.
When I made my early short films as a young man,I learned how to make $5k look like half a million. The little things that look insignificant in the small time are always good practice for later when those seemingly insignificant mistakes have big consequences. How you do something is how you do everything.
❋ The Man UpstairsYour talent is God’s gift. What you do with it is your gift back to God.
I don’t speak on my spirituality much — unless it’s deep diving into religion in my Martyr Maker series (if you know, you know). However, I believe that some form of connection to the muses, or the universe, or a higher power is important, especially in art. That goes for either writing or acting or directing. Inspiration is the food that feeds you. I believe that a connection to that being, that feeling, is paramount to maintaining humility, a sense of perspective, and a connection to your muse.
❋ LongevityPivot. When that doesn’t work, pivot again.
After forty trying years in this industry, I have had to repeat this mantra back to myself over and over again. It’s an industry full of wins and success, but also rejection.
Pivoting requires knowing when to give up on a project. When to revive it. How to return to it.
How long do you plan on being in the game? If it’s a long time, you’ll need to know how to pivot. It gives you renewed purpose to keep going.
