You have to be a keen observer of human behavior; that's very important.
You've got to have what I call a bullshit meter, so that when somebody
is giving a line reading and it rings false, you have to A) know it rings
false; and B) know how to communicate with the actor to find the truth
and interpretation. I think it helps to be a participating member of the
human race. (By the way, there are people with none of these qualities
who are very successful filmmakers. They are dictatorial, self-centered,
and narcissistic.)
"I think the best way to become a director is through screenwriting.
That's the easiest because you can do it on your own . . . Many directors
come from cinematography, from acting, and from the stage. There are a
lot of different ways to approach it. The important thing is you've got to
understand the story. If people go into directing thinking it's all about
getting sexy shots and clever angles, they are going to miss the boat.
"Because movies are so expensive to make, you have to establish cred-
ibility so that someone will hire you. That's a hard thing to do when
you're young. That's an important part of the process: to somehow estab-
lish credibility. The easiest way to do that would be to write a terrific
script, then show people a short film so that you can demonstrate that
you can direct your own script."
Professional Profile: Mel Damski, Director
Although filmmaking was a second career for director Mel Damski, he
has always been a storyteller. In high school and college he served as
sports editor for his schools'
newspapers. A linebacker, he
earned a football scholarship to
Colgate University, where he
majored in English literature.
After graduation he landed a
job as a sportswriter, but soon
found the profession limiting
and moved to general assign-
ment reporting for the New
York based paper Newsday. "The
problem with sports is you've
got to write so many column
inches, even if it's a really
boring game you're covering.
Whereas when you're a general
assignment reporter, you don't
write unless there is a story."
What do you like
least about your job?
"I think that the most
difficult part of my job
is when egos obstruct
the creative process."
--Mel Damski
What do you love most
about your job?
"I like the creative rush. I like making things
up, interpreting, and having my own unique
vision . . . The most important thing in
my life is to be able to create something."
--Mel Damski
VOICES OF
EXPERIENCE
User Comments Add a comment…