Demand for the profession of director. Profession director

History of the profession

The art of directing in the modern sense developed in the second half of the 19th century; however, the word “director” appeared much earlier: in Russia it came into use back in the time of Elizabeth - with the arrival of the French troupe in 1742 (in the Russian theater the head of the troupe or the director of the play was called “director”)

In one form or another, directing, as a production art, existed in ancient times. In the ancient Greek theater, the role of didaskal (from the Greek didaskalos - “teacher”), the organizer of a theatrical production, was often played by a playwright, which was due, not least, to the tradition of uniting the author and performer in one person.

During the Renaissance, a playwright was often both an actor and a company leader (or vice versa - the actor leading the company became a playwright), as, for example, Angelo Beolco in Italy, Lope de Rueda in Spain or Hans Sachs in Germany. The aristocratization of the theater, which began in the second half of the 16th century, and in Italy - already at the end of the 15th century, strengthened the spectacular principle in it; complex set design and the use of theatrical mechanisms, which made flights, transformations and other theatrical effects possible, brought to the fore the art of the decorator-machinist and architect - they, accordingly, became the directors of the production. In Milan, at the court of Lodovico Moro, at the end of the 15th century, the organizer of stage performances was Leonardo da Vinci, not only as an artist, but also as a first-class mechanic, who created sophisticated mechanical structures for the court theater. And in the following centuries, the role of designers invariably increased where the theater turned into a magnificent spectacle.

In the theater of the Classical era (XVII-XVIII centuries), with its conventional scenery, uniform aesthetics and regulated acting techniques, the role of the director of the production returned to the playwright, who, like Moliere, for example, could be both the leader of the troupe and the actor. Racine himself staged his tragedies at the Parisian theater of the Burgundy Hotel.

In the second half of the 18th century, the leader of the troupe increasingly became the leading actor, who did not combine his activities with literary creativity. The head of the Hamburg theater, Friedrich Schroeder, was the first to introduce preliminary readings of plays and regular rehearsals into practice. The theater reformer at the end of the 18th century was the great French actor Francois-Joseph Talma, who headed the “Theater of the Revolution” in Paris.

Production art in Russia

In Russia, when the first “theater for presenting tragedies and comedies” was established on August 30, 1756, the directorate was entrusted to the playwright A.P. Sumarokov, who at first was both the organizer of the Russian drama theater and the director of performances. The leading actors, Fyodor Volkov and Ivan Dmitrevsky, also performed directorial duties for the Russian troupe. After Sumarokov’s resignation, Volkov was called “the first actor” and “the first comedian” in the decrees, and this title assigned him the responsibilities of managing the troupe.

Since the beginning of the 19th century, the position of director was part of the staff of the drama troupe, but his responsibilities were mainly administrative and technical. At the same time, major playwrights, in particular N.V. Gogol, A.N. Ostrovsky, sometimes artists, such as M.A. Shishkov, and very often prompters could act as directors of performances

Birth of a profession

Throughout the 19th century, in the drama theater, as well as on the opera stage, premieres and prima donnas reigned, performances were staged mainly for them, not only the roles, but also the play as a whole could be reshaped for the leading actors of the troupe, the demonstration of their acting skills turned into an end in itself, everything else turned out to be insignificant and became overgrown with cliches; different plays could be performed in the same conventional settings.

The first professional directors are considered to be Charles Kean in England and Heinrich Laube in Germany, who back in the 50s of the 19th century tried in different ways to streamline the relationship between drama, on the one hand, and acting, set design, costumes, etc. - with another. While Keane, in his monumental productions, developed methods of “spectacular directing”: they were distinguished by the splendor of historical surroundings and skillful organization of crowd scenes, Laube professed “conversational” directing: in his much more modest performances, contemporaries noted the unprecedented ensemble acting and high stage speech culture. Duke George II, who had directed the Meiningen Theater since 1866, was also a professional director; but George II, who often created sketches of costumes and scenery himself, was mainly interested in the artistic and design part.

The real turning point came at the end of the 19th century: first, the Meiningen Theater under the direction of Ludwig Kroneck, a little later Andre Antoine’s “Free Theater” in Paris and Otto Brahm’s “Free Stage” in Berlin for the first time put forward the principles of ensemble, subordination of all components of the performance to a single concept, careful attitude to author's text, authenticity in recreating historical or everyday surroundings. New tasks required the transformation of production management into a special profession - a director in the modern sense, possessing the full range of knowledge and skills necessary to solve these problems, and contributed to the establishment of his dominant role in the dramatic theater. French theater historians consider the date of birth of directing to be the day when the first performance of A. Antoine's Free Theater took place - March 30, 1887. In Germany, the emergence of directing is usually associated with the activities of the Meiningen and Bayreuth theaters and, accordingly, attribute it to the late 70s or 80s of the 19th century.

Director in the 20th century

If in Western Europe and in the 20th century they could argue about who is more important in the dramatic theater, then in Russia Konstantin Stanislavsky and Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, initially relying on the experience of L. Kronek and A. Antoine, made the professional director the unconditional main figure. In Russia, the director's theater was established by their numerous students: Evgeny Vakhtangov, Vsevolod Meyerhold, Andrey Lavrentyev, Alexey Dikiy, Alexey Popov, Andrey Lobanov and many others; in the future - students of students: Konstantin Tverskoy, Nikolai Okhlopkov, Georgy Tovstonogov...

Western European theater had its own outstanding directors, most notably Max Reinhardt and Erwin Piscator; director and playwright teamed up once again in the person of Bertolt Brecht. At the same time, many outstanding directors, including B. Brecht and M. Vallentin in Germany, Louis Jouvet and Georges Pitoev in France, were influenced by the Russian theater.

In the theater of the 20th century, when staging a play, everything was already subordinated to the director’s plan, which involves the interpretation of the play as a whole and each individual character, the determination of the features of the actor’s performance necessary for a given play, the solution of the performance in space (development of mise-en-scenes) and in time - the determination of its rhythm and pace; often the director took upon himself the artistic design of the performance, especially if he was an artist by another profession, such as Nikolai Akimov; in other cases, he determined the principles of artistic design together with the artist, and musical principles with the composer.

Participation in the creation of a performance by a sponsor (producer) could significantly limit the freedom of the director, in particular in the choice of actors; in other cases, the appointment of performers was also within the competence of the director.

At the same time, even within the framework of the “director’s” theater, the relationship between the director and the actors could be different. Speaking about the largest directors of the Soviet theater during its heyday (50s-70s), S. Bushueva noted that, for example, G. Tovstonogov, as an artist of an epic nature, in the absence of a pronounced directorial voice, imperiously directed the performance, subordinating the play of each ensemble , allowing the actor “that maximum self-display that is possible within the framework of the epic structure”; Oleg Efremov in Sovremennik, always remaining a leader, dissolved in the team of his actors: “It was an acting brotherhood, a monastery, a commune, where even the personal beginning of everyone appeared in the form of a feeling of common involvement in the generation,” - in a certain sense, Efremov’s Sovremennik " could be called a "self-regulating artistic organism." Anatoly Efros was a leader of a different kind: “He not only carefully selected actors who were in tune with himself... He purposefully cultivated certain traits of each artistic personality, concentrating them in a mask that absorbed the essential principle of the actor’s individuality.” Yuri Lyubimov, on the contrary, fully remaining the “author of the play”, provided his actors with complete freedom of expression, and within the limits of the director’s precise plan, left them ample opportunities for improvisation.

The names and surnames of the world's and country's leading directors are on everyone's lips. However, few people know how to get this profession, where to study and how to get a job. Find out by reading our detailed review.

Demand

Payability

Competition

Entry barrier

Prospects

A director is a person who manages all creative processes in theatre, cinema or television. He has a fairly wide range of responsibilities, the competent implementation of which will allow him to create a real masterpiece. The first directors appeared simultaneously with theatrical productions. They are first mentioned in Dahl's dictionary as people who control the performance of actors and the creation of a performance. But the very concept of directing arose only at the end of the 19th century. It was used as an ensemble or the subordination of all processes in the theater to one concept. This idea originated simultaneously in Paris and Berlin. In the 20th century, directing began to develop rapidly in cinema. But it should be remembered that the origins of this art remain in the theater, from where the director’s experience was transferred.

Description

Nowadays, directing has undergone tremendous development. Now this is not one person, but a whole range of specialists who report to the production director. Depending on the type of work, the essence of the profession is determined. There are such directions of directing:

The essence of the director's profession is the management of filming processes. He sees the big picture and clearly understands what each character should be like. The director is the interpreter of the script, who conveys the author's idea to the actors and monitors its implementation.

What specialties to study?

In order to get a chance to get a job as a director, you should choose one of the following specialties:

  • Theater directing.
  • Directing feature films.
  • Directing non-fiction films.
  • Directing an animated film.
  • Filmmaking.
  • Directing non-fiction film and television films.
  • Directing theatrical performances and celebrations.
  • Directing shows.
  • Stage direction.
  • Circus directing.
  • Directing.

All of the above specialties will allow you to work as a director. You should choose based on the area in which you would like to show your talent: cinema, theater, television, circus, pop, etc.

Where to study

There are not so many higher educational institutions where directing is taught in our country, but the most prestigious are:

  • Russian University of Theater Arts (GITIS).
  • All-Russian State University of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimova (VGIK).
  • Moscow State University of Culture and Arts (MGUKI).
  • St. Petersburg Humanitarian University of Trade Unions.
  • Theater Institute named after. B. Shchukina.

These universities are not the only ones, but they are recognized as the most prestigious. If you managed to enter one of them and successfully graduate, you will definitely not be left without a job.

What do you have to do at work and specializations?

Each director performs a whole range of management responsibilities:

The director, in the full range of his responsibilities, acts as a link between all components of the filming process. Good direction is a guarantee of the success of any film or show.

Who is this profession suitable for?

This profession is suitable for strong and strong-willed people. The director must be a born leader and be able to manage a huge number of personnel at the same time. He must be a professional in his field and have enormous creative potential. The director is impartial and does not play favorites - this is important in a creative team. This specialist must be well-read, artistic and intellectually developed. A broad outlook is the director's best assistant.

Demand

This profession is not in great demand. Few people dare to invest in young, unknown directors.

How much do people working in this profession earn?

The director's fees depend on where he is employed. If these are not very profitable small theaters or a circus, then the salary is about 15-30 thousand per month. Large-scale performances in large, famous theaters and filming are completely different numbers. The amounts are not disclosed.

Is it easy to get a job?

If you are a famous director, then projects will find you on their own. It's difficult for beginners. Investors usually look for eminent professionals, not university graduates. Directing is available to those who have connections and solid sponsors. They are the decisive factor and help to reach people.

How does one usually build a career?

The beginning of his career is the position of assistant director. You will carry out small assignments and gain the most important thing - practice and experience. After all, by watching a professional work, you will very quickly learn from his accumulated experience over the years.

The director is the next stage of development. If you are not working on a very large project, this is the top. In large-scale events, you are an assistant director. You control the supporting processes and get the opportunity to show your directorial qualities. Your work is checked and corrected by the production director. It is he who corrects shortcomings and teaches you the most significant subtleties of this work.

A stage director is the pinnacle of a career. You get all the power and assistants who will take care of secondary processes. Now you are in charge of the creative areas of work. This position is given only to the most experienced and well-established directors.

Prospects for the profession

The main prospect of the profession is participation in famous film projects. As a result, you will be able to gain popularity and love from the public and investors. They are the ones who will provide you with further work and substantial fees. High-quality films that are admired by critics are a passport to the world of foreign cinema. This is a completely different level and an opportunity to earn substantial amounts.

Profession director


The director is the most important person on the stage or film set. He is an organizer, manager, creative director and inspiration for the entire acting group. If it were not for the art and high professionalism of directors, the world would not have seen talented feature films or theatrical productions. The directing profession is quite complex and difficult, because mastering it requires not only talent and creativity, but also a lot of work, first of all, on yourself.

The time when the profession of director was born is considered to be the second half of the 19th century. Before this, there was no single leader on the theater stage. Stage productions could be staged by the actors themselves or by playwrights. Over time, the skill and professionalism of directors grew, the principles and skills of the profession were developed, and today directors appear before us not only as directors of theatrical scenes, but also of film sets, various entertainment and social events.…

Art is an integral and important part of the life of society, because man is a spiritual being. We watch such elements of art as films and theatrical performances not only with great pleasure, but also learn something from them, understand something that was previously inaccessible to us. And what contribution to a child’s soul occurs thanks to children’s entertaining and educational programs and films. A talented director who knows how to skillfully influence the sensitive strings of the human soul will be able to put into these souls the concepts of good and evil, truth and lies, the beautiful and the monstrous. The great power of art makes us kinder, clearer, a little more sentimental, we empathize with the heroes, cry and rejoice with them. To become better, a person must see and surround himself with beauty, because it is not for nothing that they say that beauty will save the world. Therefore, directorial work is extremely important for the moral and spiritual development of society.

The profession of director is quite popular and prestigious, especially now that domestic cinema is experiencing a revival. Many young people dream of creating a super film that will cause an explosion of audience delight, positive reviews from critics and will bring awards and fame. However, this profession, like no other, is not widespread. There are quite a lot of people who graduate from directing courses, but not all graduates become directors, and only a few acquire fame and name. Only real talent can make it to the top of the director's Olympus. A talent that is based on tremendous work, perseverance and perseverance. For a future director, such qualities as imagination, imaginative thinking, the ability to work and find a common language with people are also important. In addition, the director must know the basics of acting in order to properly coordinate the work of the actors.

This profession has many positive aspects, because it is associated with creation and creativity. You will have to work with many interesting people, travel to different cities, countries and exotic places. In addition, directing work is paid quite well and is prestigious.
The negative aspects of this work include irregular working hours, often round-the-clock employment. And it can be very difficult for a novice director to break through and make a name for himself.

This profession is acquired at cultural institutes, theater academies, and cinematography institutes. Today you can study to become a director not only in state universities, but also in commercial ones, on a paid basis. Competition, as a rule, is very high in educational institutions, so you need to show remarkable talent and creativity.


The director's profession belongs to the category of creative ones, and its essence lies in directing the creative process of creating a work - a film, a play, a circus performance, a variety show, etc.

A representative of this profession is responsible only for the creative side of creating a work. This distinguishes the director from the producer, who raises money for the project and resolves financial, technical, and organizational issues. However, there are masters who combine both roles and avoid possible conflicts of interest (commerce and creativity).

What types of directors are there?

Stage director

The production director is the main person who is responsible for everything that happens on the set or on stage. Actors, cameramen, sound engineers, screenwriters, decorators and other specialists report to him - he organizes them and is responsible for the final result. Therefore, the word “director” is not always used in relation to him.

Theater director

The tasks of the theater director include organizing and conducting all activities for staging the play - from working on the text of the play, selecting performers and scenery to staging the work, synchronizing the actions of the actors and their compliance with both the storyline and the artistic concept (both the author of the play and his own ).

Film editor

The profession of editing director (or film editing) hides an ordinary editor who brings together pieces of filming into one work (film, TV show, commercial, clip). Of course, this is not an ordinary technician who presses buttons on a computer, but a specialist who works side by side with the director, who knows all the subtleties and nuances of the future film and, in addition, knows how to perform all the technical functions.

The main task of the editing director is to make the output what the chief director expects.

Places of work

The position of director is provided for in many organizations producing entertainment and entertainment products:

  • in film companies and film studios;
  • in theaters and circuses;
  • in large advertising agencies.

And some other organizations.

History of the profession

Before the advent of cinema, the profession of a director belonged to the theatrical field. At all times, there have been people who staged plays, performances and various shows. These could be playwrights, actors or someone else, but they were the progenitors of future directors.

The popularity of the theater and more complex productions around the second half of the 19th century gave birth to the profession of director. The Meiningen Theater, directed by Ludwig Kroneck, can be considered her birthplace.

Directors appeared in cinema almost immediately with its emergence: in the documentary genre - the inventors of cinema themselves, the Lumière brothers, in the fiction genre - Georges Méliès, in the animation - Emile Reynaud.

Over time, this activity became more diverse; not only film and theater directors appeared, but also circus directors, organizers of large public events, etc.

Director's responsibilities

The list and scope of specific tasks and responsibilities of the director can vary significantly depending on the direction and specifics of the activity. For example, a film director does the following things:

  • writes or selects a script;
  • determines the overall artistic style of the painting;
  • selects actors and directs them;
  • supervises the work of decorators, costume designers, screenwriters, cameramen, editors, assistants and other specialists;
  • manages the installation procedure (sometimes participates in it).

For comparison, we will describe some of the functions of a television director who creates programs and broadcasts:

  • creates scripts;
  • accepts ready-made stories and programs;
  • participates in editing television programs and advertising videos;
  • works live.

Requirements for the director

The basic requirements for the director are simple:

  • higher specialized education;
  • experience in a certain field of directing: film, theater, television, etc.

At the same time, “profile” specialists (editing directors, sound engineers, etc.) are sometimes required to know the relevant equipment and software.

How to become a director

Becoming a director, especially a high-level one, is not so easy. To do this, you need to obtain a higher education in the specialty “director” - for example, graduate from the directing department of VGIK, a theater academy, a cultural institute, or another specialized university.

Moreover, it is advisable to choose an educational institution immediately according to the desired specialty: very few manage to retrain, for example, from a theater director to a film director during the course of their career.

Director's salary

How much a director earns is a big question. Famous artists make millions, but they always risk that their next creation will fail and they will end up in the red.

In addition to famous directors, there are also a lot of unnamed specialists. Their incomes are usually not very high. A director's salary can range from 30 to 250 thousand rubles per month (depending on the employer and the level of projects).

In the era of digital technology development, when we can no longer imagine life without television and radio communications, the profession of director remains one of the main ones in the media industry, although it often remains behind the scenes.

In order to become a director, ordinary training is not enough, a person must have an incredible ability to influence people, contributing to their moral and spiritual development, must be able to find an approach to everyone who is on the set, not to mention the burden of responsibility that lies on the shoulders , since in case of failure all the stones fly at the director.

Profession director - pros and cons

Among the advantages of the profession, one can note the opportunity to reveal one’s creative potential; on the set, the director has all the authority to show a picture of exactly his vision.

Among the disadvantages, the main one is the difficulty in finding a job.

Using the databases of vacancies on the Internet, we can conclude that the profession is in demand only in places where television and radio companies are concentrated.

For the Russian Federation - these cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan.

At one time I had the chance to talk with one of the directors of the Zvezda TV channel. During the conversation, I learned that in order to find a job, he had to give up everything and go to Moscow, but again, this is not an obstacle for those people who are ready to devote their whole soul to their favorite business.

Director's responsibilities

  • The beginning of any filming, of course, begins with the selection of a script. Without a good script, it is impossible to film a good work in principle, so such seemingly simple work, on which the success of the project depends at the initial stage, falls on the shoulders of the director.
  • Working with producers. The producer, as we know, is involved in selecting actors, creating conditions for filming and other details that may affect the implementation of the task. Without a successfully established tandem of director and producer, it is difficult to talk about the success of the work.
  • Direct supervision on set. In principle, many people are familiar with the profession of director precisely from backstage format videos, when the main person on the set speaks into a megaphone, directing the ongoing process.
  • The work of a director is comparable to the work of a top manager of a large company; you need to manage the entire process as a whole, so it is almost impossible to list a complete list of responsibilities.

Profession director - salary

Payment for a director's services depends entirely on experience and portfolio.

Here amounts can start from 20,000 rubles, ending with high percentages of box office receipts.