Chapter 18

Getting Started

Every director has a different story about getting a first job. That’s because there is no stepladder to success—no approved way to follow. Everybody “gets in” in his own way. Even if you go to film school, there is no guarantee of a job when you graduate. You have to find your way in and work your way up. In this chapter, we are going to tell you our stories and also let our colleagues tell you theirs. We’ll wrap it up with some advice on getting started.

Directing an episode of television is a big responsibility. The producer, who gives you a job, must know that you will deliver both artistically and fiscally. How can producers be certain if you’ve never delivered before? They can’t; so every time a new director gets ...

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