film director

{{Short description|Person who controls the artistic and dramatic aspects of a film production}}

{{Redirect|Director (film)|films with this title|Director (disambiguation)#Other uses{{!}}Director § Other uses}}

{{Distinguish|camera operator}}{{Infobox occupation|name=Film director|image=|caption=Lance Comfort is a film director|type=Profession|activity_sector=Film|competencies=Film directing|employment_field=Film production company}}{{Filmmaking sidebar}}

File:Badham Palance 1974.jpg during filming of The Godchild in 1974]]

A film director or filmmaker is a person who controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfillment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, production design and all the creative aspects of filmmaking in cooperation with the producer.{{cite web|url=https://careertrend.com/average-film-director-salary-per-movie-7732.html|title=The Average Film Director Salary Per Movie|last=Bean-Mellinger|first=Barbara|date=December 27, 2018|website=Career Trend|publisher=Leaf Group|access-date=February 28, 2019|archive-date=February 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212095616/https://careertrend.com/average-film-director-salary-per-movie-7732.html|url-status=live}}

The film director gives direction to the cast and crew and creates an overall vision through which a film eventually becomes realized or noticed. Directors need to be able to mediate differences in creative visions and stay within the budget.

There are many pathways to becoming a film director. Some film directors started as screenwriters, cinematographers, producers, film editors or actors. Other film directors have attended film school. Directors use different approaches. Some outline a general plotline and let the actors improvise dialogue, while others control every aspect and demand that the actors and crew follow instructions precisely. Some directors also write their own screenplays or collaborate on screenplays with long-standing writing partners. Other directors edit or appear in their films or compose music score for their films.{{cite web|title=TV or film director|url=https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/tv-or-film-director|website=National Careers Service|publisher=British Government|access-date=May 10, 2017|location=United Kingdom|date=April 2017|archive-date=July 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730005550/https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/tv-or-film-director|url-status=live}}

Responsibility

File:LondonSmog.jpg Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking on location in London.]]

A film director's task is to envisage a way to translate a screenplay into a fully formed film, and then to realize this vision.{{cite web|title=Career Profile: Film Director|url=http://filmschools.com/resources/career-profile-film-director|website=Filmschools.com|publisher=Monster|access-date=February 3, 2019|archive-date=April 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410022446/http://filmschools.com/resources/career-profile-film-director|url-status=live}} To do this, they oversee the artistic and technical elements of film production.{{cite web|title=Employment Film Director|url=http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/film/director.html|website=MediaCollege.com|publisher=Wavelength Media|access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801034843/https://www.mediacollege.com/employment/film/director.html|url-status=live}} This entails organizing the film crew in such a way to achieve their vision of the film and communicating with the actors.{{cite web|title=Career snapshot: The Film Director, A Human Lens|url=http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/196/career-snapshot-the-film-director-a-human-lens|last=Piccirillo|first=Ryan A.|website=Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse|date=2010|access-date=February 28, 2019|archive-date=July 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702120632/http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/196/career-snapshot-the-film-director-a-human-lens|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=How to Become a Film Director|url=http://www.academicinvest.com/arts-careers/film-studies-careers/film-director-career-guide|website=Academic Invest|access-date=March 3, 2013|quote=They must work with producers, writers, cast members, crew members, designers and other professionals in order to implement that vision|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205144512/https://www.academicinvest.com/arts-careers/film-studies-careers/what-is-a-film-director|url-status=live}} This requires skills of group leadership, as well as the ability to maintain a singular focus even in the stressful, fast-paced environment of a film set.{{cite web|title=Director (fim, television, radio, or stage)|url=http://www.careercentre.dtwd.wa.gov.au/occupations/Pages/director-film-television-radio-or-stage.aspx|website=Government of Western Australia Department of Training and Workforce Development|access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509085900/http://www.careercentre.dtwd.wa.gov.au/occupations/Pages/director-film-television-radio-or-stage.aspx|archive-date=May 9, 2013|url-status=dead}} Moreover, it is necessary to have an artistic eye to frame shots and to give precise feedback to cast and crew,{{cite web|title=Film Director Career: Pros and Cons|url=http://learningpath.org/articles/Film_Director_Career_Summary.html|website=LearningPath.org|access-date=February 28, 2019|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205144512/https://learningpath.org/articles/Film_Director_Career_Summary.html|url-status=live}} thus, excellent communication skills are a must.{{cite web|title=Explore careers: TV or film director|url=https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/tvorfilmdirector.aspx|website=National Careers Service|publisher=Education and Skills Funding Agency|access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-date=October 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003035012/https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/tvorfilmdirector.aspx|url-status=live}}

Because the film director depends on the successful cooperation of many different creative individuals with possibly strongly contradicting artistic ideals and visions, they also need to possess conflict-resolution skills to mediate whenever necessary.{{cite news |title=I Want Your Job: Film Director |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/career-planning/getting-job/i-want-your-job-film-director-480500.html |access-date=March 3, 2013 |location=London |work=The Independent |first=Alex |last=McRae |date=June 1, 2006 |quote=You have to be a diplomat. You have to marshal a whole load of creative people, who often don't get on with each other, and your job is to stop things turning into a bun-fight. |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205144514/https://www.independent.co.uk/student/career-planning/getting-job/i-want-your-job-film-director-480500.html |url-status=live }} Thus the director ensures that all individuals involved in the film production are working towards an identical vision for the completed film. The set of varying challenges they have to tackle has been described as "a multi-dimensional jigsaw puzzle with egos and weather thrown in for good measure".{{cite web|title=What is a Director?|url=http://www.directors.uk.com/about-us/what-director|last=Thomas|first=Delyth|website=Directors UK|access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117082526/http://www.directors.uk.com/about-us/what-director|archive-date=2013-01-17|url-status=dead}} It adds to the pressure that the success of a film can influence when and how they will work again, if at all.{{cite web|title=Producers and Directors:Occupational Outlook Handbook|url=http://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm|website=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|access-date=March 3, 2013|quote=directors work under a lot of pressure, and most are under constant stress to find their next job.|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205144513/https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm|url-status=live}}

Generally, the sole superiors of the director are the producers and the studio that is financing the film, although sometimes the director can also be a producer of the same film.{{cite web|title=What Producers and Directors Do|url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm#tab-2|website=Bureau of Labor Statistics|access-date=February 28, 2019|quote=Although directors are in charge of the creative aspects of a show, they ultimately answer to producers. Some directors also share producing duties for their own films.|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205144512/https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm#tab-2|url-status=live}} The role of a director differs from producers in that producers typically manage the logistics and business operations of the production, whereas the director is tasked with making creative decisions. The director must work within the restrictions of the film's budget{{cite web|title=Film Directing: Job Profile|url=http://www.filmschule.de/en/seiten/fdjobprofile.aspx|website=Internationale Filmschule Köln|access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510094913/http://www.filmschule.de/en/seiten/fdjobprofile.aspx|archive-date=2013-05-10|url-status=dead|quote=The director is bound by financial conditions, which however should not hinder him from developing his own artistic signature.}} and the demands of the producer and studio (such as the need to get a particular age rating).{{cite news|title=Now Starring on Video: The Director's Cut|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/16/arts/film-now-starring-on-video-the-director-s-cut.html|work=The New York Times|first=Ann|last=Hornaday|date=May 16, 1993|access-date=November 25, 2015|quote=Realizing that an NC-17 rating could hurt business (some theaters and newspapers won't show or advertise NC-17 movies), Mr. Verhoeven cut 47 seconds of the most graphic sex and violence.|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118023414/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/16/arts/film-now-starring-on-video-the-director-s-cut.html|url-status=live}}

Directors also play an important role in post-production. While the film is still in production, the director sends "dailies" to the film editor and explains their overall vision for the film, allowing the editor to assemble an editor's cut. In post-production, the director works with the editor to edit the material into the director's cut. Well-established directors have the "final cut privilege", meaning that they have the final say on which edit of the film is released. For other directors, the studio can order further edits without the director's permission.

The director is one of the few positions that requires intimate involvement during every stage of film production. Thus, the position of film director is widely considered to be a highly stressful and demanding one.{{cite web|title=Film Director|url=https://www.princetonreview.com/careers/65/film-director|website=The Princeton Review|access-date=February 28, 2019|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301074629/https://www.princetonreview.com/careers/65/film-director|url-status=live}} It has been said that "20-hour days are not unusual". Some directors also take on additional roles, such as producing, writing or editing.

Under European Union law, the film director is considered the "author" or one of the authors of a film, largely as a result of the influence of auteur theory.{{cite book|author=Pascal Kamina|title=Film Copyright in the European Union|url=https://archive.org/details/filmcopyrightine0000kami|url-access=registration|year=2002|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-43338-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/filmcopyrightine0000kami/page/153 153]}} Auteur theory is a film criticism concept that holds that a film director's film reflects the director's personal creative vision, as if they were the primary "auteur" (the French word for "author").{{cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/art/auteur-theory|title=Auteur theory {{!}} Definition & Directors|work=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en|archive-date=2018-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310153714/https://www.britannica.com/art/auteur-theory|url-status=live}} In spite of—and sometimes even because of—the production of the film as part of an industrial process, the auteur's creative voice is distinct enough to shine through studio interference and the collective process.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Career pathways

File:Steven Spielberg with Chandran Rutnam in Sri Lanka.jpg with Sri Lankan filmmaker Chandran Rutnam in Sri Lanka]]

Some film directors started as screenwriters, film editors, producers, actors, or film critics, as well as directing for similar media like television and commercials.{{cite web|title=Film Director: Occupations in Alberta|url=https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/film-director/|website=Alberta Learning Information Service|publisher=Government of Alberta|access-date=February 28, 2019|quote=Many are experienced actors, editors or writers|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106192602/https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/film-director/|url-status=live}}{{cite book |last=Wexman |first=Virginia Wright |date=2017 |title=Directing |location=New Brunswick |publisher=Rutgers University Press |page=7 |isbn=9780813564296}} Several American cinematographers have become directors, including Barry Sonnenfeld, originally the Coen brothers' Director of Photography; Wally Pfister, cinematographer on Christopher Nolan's three Batman films made his directorial debut with Transcendence (2014). Despite the misnomer, assistant director has become a completely separate career path and is not typically a position for aspiring directors, but there are exceptions in some countries such as India where assistant directors are indeed directors-in-training.{{cite web |url=https://www.dgatrainingprogram.org/what.html |title=What's an Assistant Director? |website=Directors Guild of America |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701211110/http://www.dgatrainingprogram.org/what.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/work/Hereamp39s-how-you-can-get-into-Bollywood/articleshow/11251784.cms |title=Here's how you can get into Bollywood |last=Fatima |first=Nishat |website=Times of India |date=January 20, 2012 |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701002221/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/work/Hereamp39s-how-you-can-get-into-Bollywood/articleshow/11251784.cms |url-status=live }}

=Education=

Many film directors have attended a film school to get a bachelor's degree studying film or cinema.{{cite web|title=How to Become a Producer or Director|url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm#tab-2|website=Bureau of Labor Statistics|access-date=February 28, 2019|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301014701/https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm#tab-2|url-status=live}} Film students generally study the basic skills used in making a film.{{cite web|title=Film|url=http://www.sintlukas.be/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=258&Itemid=1108|website=LUCA School of Arts|access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511030747/http://www.sintlukas.be/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=258&Itemid=1108|archive-date=May 11, 2013|url-status=dead|quote=In the Fiction Film bachelor studio students learn the basic principles, techniques and procedures of film direction and production}} This includes, for example, preparation, shot lists and storyboards, blocking, communicating with professional actors, communicating with the crew, and reading scripts.{{cite web|title=Directing Department at LFS|url=http://www.lfs.org.uk/courses/ma_film_making/directing.php|website=London Film School|access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217032729/http://www.lfs.org.uk/courses/ma_film_making/directing.php|archive-date=2013-02-17|url-status=dead|quote=Classes supporting this area discuss and rehearse: preparation, shot lists and storyboards, blocking, protocols of dealing with professional actors, reading scripts, the construction of film sequence}} Some film schools are equipped with sound stages and post-production facilities.{{cite web|title=Film BA Honours - Courses|url=http://www.westminster.ac.uk/courses/subjects/television-film-and-moving-image/undergraduate-courses/full-time/u09fuftp-ba-honours-film-and-television-production|website=University of Westminster|access-date=March 3, 2013|quote=We operate from a purpose-built studio facility in Harrow, with two sound stages, a set construction workshop, and extensive post-production facilities.|archive-date=May 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509094450/http://www.westminster.ac.uk/courses/subjects/television-film-and-moving-image/undergraduate-courses/full-time/u09fuftp-ba-honours-film-and-television-production|url-status=dead}} Besides basic technical and logistical skills, students also receive education on the nature of professional relationships that occur during film production.{{cite web|title=BA Film Directing|url=http://www.filmschule.de/en/seiten/fdprogram.aspx|website=Internationale Filmschule Köln|access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510100634/http://www.filmschule.de/en/seiten/fdprogram.aspx|archive-date=2013-05-10|url-status=dead|quote=An intrinsic element of the education, alongside the transfer of organizational and technical skills, is to provide the students with insights into social contexts and relationships}} A full degree course can be designed for up to five years of studying.{{cite web|title=Direction |url=http://www.iad-arts.be/EN/m2e3b1-realisation.html |website=Institut des Arts de Diffusion |access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723142025/http://www.iad-arts.be/EN/m2e3b1-realisation.html|archive-date=2013-07-23|url-status=dead|quote=The directing studies 5 years of study : a first cycle of 3 years and a second cycle of 2 years.}} Future directors usually complete short films during their enrollment. The National Film School of Denmark has the student's final projects presented on national TV.{{cite web |title=About the school |url=http://www.filmskolen.dk/english/english-fortsat/ |website=Den Danske Filmskole |access-date=March 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528215320/http://www.filmskolen.dk/english/english-fortsat/ |archive-date=May 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |quote=The students' final project is a film produced on a professional level and presented to the public on national TV.}} Some film schools retain the rights for their students' works.{{cite web|title=Filmmaking Guide: Copyright |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/before-you-start/copyright |website=BBC |access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410122633/http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/before-you-start/copyright |archive-date=April 10, 2013| url-status=dead |quote=If you're a student and making your film within a film school then you should be aware that some film schools will retain the copyright in the films that you make during your enrollment}} Many directors successfully prepared for making feature films by working in television.{{cite web|title=Professional Screen Directing Diploma |url=http://centralfilmschool.com/film_directing_diploma/ |website=Central Film School |access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019135502/http://centralfilmschool.com/film_directing_diploma/|archive-date=2012-10-19|url-status=dead|quote=Many successful film directors, including Oscar-winning Best Director of 'The King's Speech', Tom Hooper, began their careers in television, which provided the platform to progress through the industry.}} The German Film and Television Academy Berlin consequently cooperates with the Berlin/Brandenburg TV station RBB (Berlin-Brandenburg Broadcasting) and ARTE.{{cite web|title=The DFFB |url=http://www.dffb.de/html/en/akademie/die_dffb |website=German Film and Television Academy Berlin |access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304081852/http://www.dffb.de/html/en/akademie/die_dffb |archive-date=March 4, 2013 |url-status=dead|quote=The DFFB cooperates with the Berlin/Brandenburg TV station RBB and ARTE and produces 3 short films of 30minutes lengths for RBB and 10 short films of 5 minutes lengths for ARTE}}

In recent decades American directors have primarily been coming out of USC, UCLA, AFI, Columbia University, and NYU, each of which is known for cultivating a certain style of filmmaking. Notable film schools outside of the United States include Beijing Film Academy, Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica in Mexico City, Dongseo University in South Korea, FAMU in Prague, Film and Television Institute of India, HFF Munich, La Fémis in Paris, Tel Aviv University, and Vancouver Film School.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/spotlight/entertainment-education-film-school-stars-1202785789/ |title=Entertainment Education Report: The Best Film Schools in 2018 |author= |website=Variety |date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324172541/https://variety.com/2018/film/spotlight/entertainment-education-film-school-stars-1202785789/ |url-status=live }}

Compensation

Film directors usually are self-employed and hired per project based on recommendations and industry reputation.{{cite web |url=https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/film-director |title=Film director job profile |website=Graduate Prospects directors cut |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211203405/https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/film-director |url-status=live }} Compensation might be arranged as a flat fee for the project, as a weekly salary, or as a daily rate.

A handful of top Hollywood directors made from $133.3 million to $257.95 million in 2011, such as James Cameron and Steven Spielberg,{{cite web|url=http://work.chron.com/typical-salary-film-director-2669.html|title=Typical Salary of a Film Director|last=Imani|first=Faizah|website=Chron.com|access-date=February 28, 2019|archive-date=March 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302024635/https://work.chron.com/typical-salary-film-director-2669.html|url-status=live}} but the average United States film directors and producers made $89,840 in 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes272012.htm |title=Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2018: Producers and Directors |website=Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=March 29, 2019 |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211185540/https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes272012.htm |url-status=live }} A new Hollywood director typically gets paid around $400,000 for directing their first studio film.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2017-hollywood-salaries-revealed-movie-stars-makeup-artists-1043252/item/movie-star-what-hollywood-earns-2017-1043232 |title=Hollywood's Salary Report 2017: Movie Stars to Makeup Artists to Boom Operators |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 28, 2019 |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211202820/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2017-hollywood-salaries-revealed-movie-stars-makeup-artists-1043252/item/movie-star-what-hollywood-earns-2017-1043232 |url-status=live }}

The average annual salary in England is £50,440,{{cite web |url= https://www.reflectionscareercoaching.co.uk/post/tv-and-media-job-roles-on-a-film-set-film-director |title= Media Jobs and the Director's Chair: A Guide to Becoming a Film Director |first1=Emily |last1=Maguire |publisher=Reflections Career Coaching |date=August 11, 2023 |access-date=October 25, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106205044/https://www.reflectionscareercoaching.co.uk/post/tv-and-media-job-roles-on-a-film-set-film-director |archive-date= Nov 6, 2023 }} in Canada is $62,408,{{cite web |url=https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/film-director/ |title=Film Director: Occupations in Alberta |website=Alberta Learning Information Service |publisher=Government of Alberta |date=December 15, 2016 |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211190011/https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/film-director/ |url-status=live }} and in Western Australia it can range from $75,230 to $97,119.{{cite web |url=https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/jobs-and-careers/occupations/director-film-television-radio-or-stage |title=Director (film television radio or stage) |website=Jobs and Skills WA |publisher=Government of Western Australia Department of Training and Workforce Development |date=November 14, 2019 |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211185716/https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/jobs-and-careers/occupations/director-film-television-radio-or-stage |url-status=live }} In France, the average salary is €4000 per month, paid per project.{{cite web |last=Lesparre |first=Josée |url=https://www.cidj.com/metiers/realisatrice-realisateur |title=Réalisatrice / Réalisateur : métier, études, diplômes, salaire, formation |website=Centre d'Information et de Documentation Jeunesse |language=fr |trans-title=Director: occupation, studies, diplomas, salary, training |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211192434/https://www.cidj.com/metiers/realisatrice-realisateur |url-status=live }} Luc Besson was the highest paid French director in 2017, making €4.44 million for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. That same year, the top ten French directors' salaries in total represented 42% of the total directors' salaries in France.{{cite web |last=Vulser |first=Nicole |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2018/01/16/et-le-realisateur-francais-le-mieux-paye-en-2017-est-luc-besson_5242323_3234.html |title=Et le réalisateur français le mieux payé en 2017 est...Luc Besson |language=fr |trans-title=And the best paid French director in 2017 is...Luc Besson |website=Le Monde |date=January 17, 2018 |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114204152/https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2018/01/16/et-le-realisateur-francais-le-mieux-paye-en-2017-est-luc-besson_5242323_3234.html |url-status=live }}

Film directors in Japan average a yearly salary from ¥4 million to ¥10 million,{{cite web |url=https://job-zukan.jp/film-director/2392/ |title=映画監督の給与・年収は？初任給やインセンティブ収入などについて解説 |trans-title=What is the salary and annual income of the film director? Commentary on starting salary and incentive income |language=ja |website=Job Zukan |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114205450/https://job-zukan.jp/film-director/2392/ |url-status=live }} and the Directors Guild of Japan requires a minimum payment of ¥3.5 million.{{cite web |url=https://careergarden.jp/eigakantoku/salary/ |title=映画監督の給料・年収・収入 |trans-title=Movie director's salary, annual income, income |language=ja |website=Career Garden |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114205438/https://careergarden.jp/eigakantoku/salary/ |url-status=live }} Korean directors make 300 million to 500 million won for a film, and beginning directors start out making around 50 million won. A Korean director who breaks into the Chinese market might make 1 billion won for a single film.{{cite web |author=최호원 |url=https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1002138150 |title=[취재파일]한국 영화감독들의 연출료 수입은? |trans-title=How much income do Korean film directors receive? |website=SBS News |date=December 18, 2013 |access-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211201328/https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1002138150 |url-status=live }}

Gender disparities

File:1 Catherine Bernard Réalisatrice - Director Photo Clémence Bernard Free of right libre de droit.jpg

According to a 2018 report from UNESCO, the film industry throughout the world has a disproportionately higher number of male directors compared to female directors, and they provide as an example the fact that only 20% of films in Europe are directed by women.{{cite web |url=https://en.unesco.org/creativity/news/mind-gap-gender-equality-film-industry |title=Mind the Gap: gender equality in the film industry |website=UNESCO |date=25 February 2019 |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-date=14 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114210842/https://en.unesco.org/creativity/news/mind-gap-gender-equality-film-industry |url-status=live }} 44% of graduates from a sample of European films schools are women, and yet women are only 24% of working film directors in Europe. However only a fraction of film school graduates aspire to direct with the majority entering the industry in other roles.{{cite book |url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0026/002605/260592e.pdf |title=Re-Shaping Cultural Policies |last=Joseph |first=Ammu |publisher=UNESCO |date=2017 |chapter=Gender Equality: Missing in Action |isbn=978-92-3-100256-4 |page=191 |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127142435/http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0026/002605/260592e.pdf |archive-date=27 January 2018 |url-status=dead }} In Hollywood, women make up only 12.6 percent of film directors, as reported by a UCLA study of the 200 top theatrical films of 2017,{{cite web |url=https://socialsciences.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/UCLA-Hollywood-Diversity-Report-2019-2-21-2019.pdf |title=Hollywood Diversity Report 2019 |website=UCLA |last1=Hunt |first1=Darnell |last2=Ramón |first2=Ana-Christina |last3=Tran |first3=Michael|date=2019 |page=3 |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405162449/https://socialsciences.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/UCLA-Hollywood-Diversity-Report-2019-2-21-2019.pdf |archive-date=5 April 2019 |url-status=live }} but that number is a significant increase from 6.9% in 2016.{{cite web |url=https://socialsciences.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/UCLA-Hollywood-Diversity-Report-2019-2-21-2019.pdf |title=Hollywood Diversity Report 2019 |website=UCLA |last1=Hunt |first1=Darnell |last2=Ramón |first2=Ana-Christina |last3=Tran |first3=Michael|date=2019 |page=29 |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405162449/https://socialsciences.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/UCLA-Hollywood-Diversity-Report-2019-2-21-2019.pdf |archive-date=5 April 2019 |url-status=live }} As of 2014, there were only 20 women in the Directors Guild of Japan out of the 550 total members.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/japans-female-directors-making-mark-692070 |title=Japan's Female Directors Making Their Mark in Patriarchal Industry |last=Blair |first=Gavin |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=1 April 2014 |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-date=16 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616192626/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/japans-female-directors-making-mark-692070 |url-status=live }} Indian film directors are also greatly underrepresented by women, even compared to other countries, but there has been a recent trend of more attention to women directors in India, brought on partly by Amazon and Netflix moving into the industry.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-female-filmmakers-are-transforming-indian-cinema-1006036 |title=How Female Filmmakers Are Transforming Indian Cinema |last=Bhushan |first=Nyay |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=21 May 2017 |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-date=14 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114210830/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-female-filmmakers-are-transforming-indian-cinema-1006036 |url-status=live }} Of the movies produced in Nollywood, women direct only 2%.{{cite web |url=https://nollymania.com/nollywood-movies-directed-by-women/ |title=The Remarkable Triumph of Female Nollywood Directors |author=Christina |website=Nollywood Mania |date=13 February 2019 |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-date=14 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114210838/https://nollymania.com/nollywood-movies-directed-by-women/ |url-status=live }}

Awards

File:Jury Cannes 2014 2.jpg (Left to right: Gael García Bernal, Jia Zhangke, Sofia Coppola, Jane Campion, Jeon Do-yeon, Nicolas Winding Refn, Leila Hatami, Carole Bouquet, and Willem Dafoe]]

There are many different awards for film directing, run by various academies, critics associations, film festivals, and guilds.{{cite web |last=Desta |first=Yohana |title=Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Awards Season (But Were Afraid to Ask) |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/09/awards-season-guide |website=Vanity Fair |date=September 10, 2018 |access-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114225120/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/09/awards-season-guide |url-status=live }} The Academy Award for Best Director and Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Director are considered among the most prestigious awards for directing,{{cite web |author= |title=This year's Oscar for best director will definitely go to a man |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/year-oscar-director-man-200113142926964.html |website=Al Jazeera English |date=January 13, 2020 |access-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114023401/https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/year-oscar-director-man-200113142926964.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Patos |first=Robert |title=Sofia Coppola Wins Best Director at Cannes 2017 for 'The Beguiled' |url=https://hypebeast.com/2017/5/sofia-coppola-cannes-best-director-award |website=Hypebeast |date=May 29, 2017 |access-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114230653/https://hypebeast.com/2017/5/sofia-coppola-cannes-best-director-award |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Staszczyszyn |first=Bartosz |title=Paweł Pawlikowski Wins Best Director At Cannes 2018 |url=https://culture.pl/en/article/pawel-pawlikowski-wins-best-director-at-cannes-2018 |website=Culture.pl |date=May 19, 2018 |access-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114230751/https://culture.pl/en/article/pawel-pawlikowski-wins-best-director-at-cannes-2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author= |title=Sofia Coppola scoops Cannes Best Director prize for The Beguiled |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/movie-news/sofia-coppola-scoops-cannes-best-director-prize-for-the-beguiled-35766962.html |website=Irish Independent |date=May 29, 2017 |access-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114231039/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/movie-news/sofia-coppola-scoops-cannes-best-director-prize-for-the-beguiled-35766962.html |url-status=live }} and there is even an award for worst directing given out during the Golden Raspberry Awards.