6 tips for first time directors

It’s been a really interesting process so far directing my own work. I’ve been on set a lot throughout my career so far in various different guises but as a director I’ve mainly self shot or worked with a small crew on documentaries.

When I had the idea for the web series we’re making right now, I knew I had to make it now and it was time for my to take the helm and make it myself. Halfway through I’ve already learned a lot so I thought I’d give a top 6 lessons list for all those thinking of embarking on this type of thing.

1) Your camera is a character, cast it well:
I never thought this before. I’ve heard it but never considered it. I thought of it more as who I would be working and not how they would flavour the feel. With documentaries, I have an amazing filmmaker I work with, Michelle Tsen, who I would trust with any shoot. She makes everything look beautiful.

For this shoot, I wanted to work with someone who had experience in comedy. I looked at lots of different showreels and it was a fast turn around - who was going to take a chance on my project and will I like working with them? As soon as I saw Ian Weir’s work, I knew I had to work with him. Though he is a primarily stills photographer, his work had humour and style and beauty. It was human. And I wanted to bring that to set and to this series.

Even though he hadn’t had a ton of experience on set as a DoP, I went with my gut and have had an amazing time on set. He is the lead character of this production. Not only are the shots looking amazing, but I know I can trust him to get the shots that will make this brilliant. That is worth it’s weight in gold.

2) Always carry cash:
Not only am I writing and directing this, I’ve also been the producer. On set, I’m directing so I can’t leave. I have to rely on other people to pick up a set of batteries or an English breakfast for a prop or a couple coffees for a very tired crew that I made get up at 5 am. Especially in a low budget production, people are there working for experience and for no money, so I’d never want to make them pay, even if I’m paying them back later. I think my other lesson is to get a great producer on board (more of that in number 3).

3) Get a great producer on board:
You can’t do it all yourself. I like to think that I can sometimes, but I can’t. Wearing different hats on set means that you can’t get always get a clear picture of everything all the time. Every day on set I’m producer, then director, then actor. There are decisions to make all the time - decisions on call times, on breaks, on what to do when it rains, how to get one last shot before the light goes, how to say a certain line, where to look when your fellow actor leaves the shot, where to put the cameras, and how to make an empty cafe look full. All those questions are in your head, and when you’re working with other people, they have questions too. On docs with small teams, it’s me, the DoP and the interviewee. Not too many questions there, but with a set full of 10 actors, and 5 crew, there’s a lot of questions. A great producer is like a conductor,and the writer, the director, the cast and crew the symphony. They can make the job a breeze and answer ALL the questions.

4) You don’t need to tell everyone, everything:
I’m a talker. I talk things out. But telling your DoP every single shot in detail in the middle of setting up something in a different location, or running through every thought of the day with your lead actress isn’t going to help them. It’s just helping me. So only tell the people who need to know something, when they need to know it so they can do your job. Your AD won’t mind hearing your babble in a corner of the set over coffee. Do the talking there.

5) Make sure you sleep:
I don’t think I’ve had more than 3 hours a night since I thought of the idea of the web series. Factor in sleep. It can save you a lot of grief in the end.

6) Understand you can’t always get it right all the time:
No matter what you do, no matter how much you prepare, and no matter how many times you go through things in your head, things can not go to plan. It happens. The shot may go wrong. You may have misssed something. You could have spent 8 shots getting your line just right but you don’t have time for 8 shots, you only have time for 2. But don’t, I repeat don’t, lose sleep over it. You can do your best, and that is the best you can do. And next time, you can do it better.

I’m sure there are a million other things that could be said, and should be remembered, but I’ll leave it with this. Your friends are invaluable. They’ll understand when you have to work on your shot list one last time or will put out a call out for a location, or some extras, or anything you need. I don’t think I could have gone this far without them.

Be an extra in my web series!! (please and thank you)

I’m excited to say I’m filming a 6 part web series over the next three weekends. A series that will hit the net on 21 October. It’s all a bit hush hush at the moment but I thought it would be awesome if YOU could be part of the whole experience.

So here is an official call out to budding actors, people who want to see how it all works, or those of you who want a bit of screen time to mark it off your bucket list. You can take pictures AND tweet. Have fun. Eat cake. Dance. Dress up in funny costumes.



Basically there are two dates I’m looking for people. And if people want, they can do both days. BOTH days!

1) 24th September (North London): We need people to come as what they imagine would be the worst date. Yep you get to play the person you wouldn’t inflict on your worst enemy (OR maybe you would if that’s how you roll) You could say a line, or give a look, right to camera. Whatever “character” you want. Ideally it’ll be one that references something obscure or geeky cause I think that’s funny and the more varied the better.

2) 9th October (SOHO) from 2pm-4pm: We need people to be a crowd at a party. Ideally one dressed in fancy dress for an “End of the World Party” - come as something wild or come as you. All you need to do is dance around to some music, mingle and you’re in a film!

Please do spread the word. It’ll be fun!

If you want to be a part of this online extravaganza, email me at heather AT heathertaylor DOT co DOT uk. Come on. You want to. DO IT! (please…)

Burrito masterclass at Tortilla UK

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLgsZgJZ3pg?rel=0&w=640&h=390]

Recently, I had the chance to take part in the Tortilla UK Burrito masterclass with a few other food bloggers. As I love Mexican food, this was a great evening - and I even learned a thing or two (like how the white connectors in chili peppers are the hottest part of the chili).

For more info on Tortilla UK, see their website for more details or follow them on Twitter.