Three Golden Rules Every Director Must Know To Survive in the Film and TV Business Today!

by Peter D Marshall

Rule # 1 – Have a sense of humor!

Rule # 2 - Change your socks and shoes at lunchtime!

Rule # 3 - “There are no rules in film making, only sins. And the cardinal sin is Dullness.” Frank Capra

Copyright (c) 2000-2011 Peter D. Marshall / All Rights Reserved

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

bond bin sinann May 17, 2010 at 12:21 am

please i kneed to lean about producing and directing a film and video

deep May 23, 2010 at 1:43 pm

hey Bond Bin Sinann,

please me at my given email address (nicamma@hotmail.com) i might can help you in connecting with film making…

ogunyemi sola May 26, 2010 at 9:23 pm

i want to ve perfect understanding in term of directing

calib July 31, 2010 at 9:03 pm

What about the rule of thirds

Peter D Marshall August 2, 2010 at 10:40 am

The rule applies to all composition of course. But my three rules are for “fun”! :)

ermias assefa February 19, 2011 at 7:46 am

here i am, i really wana be a film director,,,i know that its what i have been born to do can any body help me?

Peter D Marshall February 19, 2011 at 10:36 am

Ermias, read everything you can about filmmaking and film directing, Take class and courses. Get a camera and start shooting with your friends. Most of all, keep your passion burning. Good luck :)

sheed February 20, 2011 at 4:53 pm

what if a director says disgusting and humiliating words to a viewer and his family for commenting on his movie,that its a crap…
Note:the director uses sexually related words

Sir Babs April 1, 2011 at 2:12 pm

i have directed local movies here in nigeria, won local awards but still feels im jokin

Darryl Vaz April 22, 2011 at 4:25 am

hi peter,
Your 3 rules are amazing. And the 3rd rule in particular, there are no rules, because you’ve said it time and again that the story or script evolves everytime you read through it.
Right?

Darryl Vaz

Peter D Marshall April 22, 2011 at 9:26 am

Darryl. We can basically say three things: Script – Story – Everything Else!

Darryl Vaz April 22, 2011 at 11:14 am

very true Peter, very true indeed

David M. Edwards April 28, 2011 at 7:18 pm

Asking questions is where direction begins.

Peter D Marshall April 29, 2011 at 9:29 am

I think the director’s first job is listening. Then asking questions. Then shutting up! Many directors tend to over intellectualize everything when their answers should be simple and concise. Especially when working with actors.

Jake Tatum October 12, 2011 at 4:59 pm

Can you please explain to me the difference between a filmmaker and a film director. Ive heard there is a difference but im not sure what it is.
-Thanks, Jake

Peter D Marshall October 12, 2011 at 9:15 pm

Jake, I believe a filmmaker is anyone who works in the business of making movies (that could be the director, DOP, the grip and the props master.) The film director is the one who translates the script visually (colors, production design, shots) and works with the actors to get a performance. Hope this helps. Peter

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