I'm a screenwriter with directing aspirations. So far one of my shorts has been produced and another optioned. I also have a director attached to my first feature. A production company on Stage 32 hired me to write a gritty military thriller for deferred compensation and was impressed enough by my work to pay me $100 to write a short screenplay. To further my goals, I'm interested in working with a director as an assistant, intern or general thrall. Comedy, horror and action interest me the most, but I've also written a sports drama that has received positive feedback. In the past, I've worked as a stage manager for school productions and done some bit acting. I'm free at least two days every week to assist, sometimes more depending on my job schedule. How do I go about finding a director to learn from? Do I submit writing samples to small production companies? Apply for internships? Message them?
Filmmaking / Directing : Moving From Writing To Directing, Searching For A Mentor by Tony Cella
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There are no mentors. Just do it. Start with a 3-page script. Budget $500 and direct and edit the 3-minutes. Voilla! You have learned 10 times more than by hanging around with someone for 2-3 years. God Bless... Dov Simens
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Becoming an assistant to a well-respected director is one of the most sought after jobs in Hollywood (just like TV showrunner's assistant, studio president assistant, etc.). Trust me. When I was an assistant at CAA, I was trying to help a TV network president's assistant (!!) who couldn't even get an interview with an A-list director. There aren't that many jobs, and the people in those jobs don't like to leave their cherished posts. The "best" advice I have is to become a talent agency literary assistant, become a star assistant, get to know your boss's director clients, and try to segue over to be a director's assistant when a spot opens up.
@Rob: Good advice. Where do you recommend searching for production assistant gigs? @Regina: Thank you for offering advice as always. Despite my persistent Clint Eastwood fandom, I'm not looking to assist an auteur. I'd be more than happy to work with a low to mid-level director and learn the basics.
I agrede with Dov, just do it
Sorry, typo, I agree with DOV
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Thanks for the recommendation Rafael. Lesley, please remove the links from your post. This is not a venue for self-promotion.