Film and Television Directors

If you are a would-be director, the most obvious opportunity for exploration lies in your own imagination. Being drawn to films and captivated by the process of how they are made is the beginning of the filmmaker's journey.

In high school and beyond, carefully study and pay attention to motion pictures. Watch them at every opportunity, both at the theater and at home. Study your favorite television shows to see what makes them interesting. Two major trade publications to read are Variety (http://www.variety.com) and Hollywood Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com). The Directors Guild of America's official publications, DGA Monthly, contain much information on the industry. Visit http://www.dga.org for more information.

You should also read books about the film industry and directing. Here are two suggestions: 50 Oscar Nights: Iconic Stars & Filmmakers on Their Career-Defining Wins, by Dave Karger,and Directors Tell the Story: Master the Craft of Television and Film Directing, by Bethany Rooney and Mary Lou Belli.

During summers, many colleges, camps, and workshops offer programs for high school students interested in film work. For example, rising high school juniors and seniors and can participate in the Summer at Columbia High School Program at Columbia College Chicago. A Cinema and Television Production course. Participants receive college credit and hands-on experience in the film and television industry. For more information on this program, visit https://www.colum.edu/admissions/summer-at-columbia.

Visit film and television museums to learn more about the entertainment industry. Here are a few examples. In addition to brick-and-mortar sites, many of these museums have excellent Web sites.

• Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (Los Angeles): https://www.academymuseum.org
• Museum of Broadcast Communications (Chicago): https://www.museum.tv
• Smithsonian-Television Exhibits (Washington, D.C.): https://www.si.edu/spotlight/television