The Director’s Chair was first published on April 10, 2000 and has been read by thousands of filmmakers like yourself in over 100 countries around the world.
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Testimonials and Comments from Subscribers
==> Here’s what Pfungwa Kizito Chimbetete, a Director from Zimbabwe had to say about this ezine: ‘I may not fully participate and write back with every issue of The Director’s Chair you send, but I just want to say thanks and I appreciate the knowledge you push out to us. I’m all the way in Zimbabwe and The Director’s Chair is one of my essential reads for “My Film School.’
==> And James MacGregor from www.movieScopemag.com says “Do keep up the good work in The Director’s Chair. Filmmakers all over the globe are benefitting from your insight and your generosity in sharing your knowledge. Including me – and I’ve been at it for thirty years!”
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Peter D. Marshall
P.S. Privacy Statement: This is a private mailing list and will not be made available to companies or individuals. I value every Subscriber and respect your privacy.
P.P.S. Keep scrolling down this page and you will see links to read all back issues (feature articles) of this ezine since April 10, 2000.
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“I just started with your newsletter.. saw it on a friend’s facebook page.. she is a director I had worked with on a film project. I think what you do is fabu! and so needed.. you provide a wealth of info in what I have read so far.. so, I had to say thank you with great appreciation. I do not have time to go to film school.. please know you make a difference.” Daphne Valentina, Studio City, California
2000
Issue 1 – April 10, 2000 (Working with Actors: Personality Traits)
Issue 2 – May 12, 2000 (Working with Actors: The Casting Session)
Issue 3 – June 12, 2000 (Script Breakdown: Script & Scene Analysis)
Issue 4 – July 17, 2000 (Script Breakdown: Character Analysis)
Issue 5 – August 20, 2000 (On Set: Blocking a Scene)
Issue 6 – September 26, 2000 (On Set: Rehearsing a Scene)
Issue 7 – October 30, 2000 (Visual Concept and Colours)
Issue 8 – November 29, 2000 (Staging and Shooting a Fight Scene)
Issue 9 – December 30, 2000 (Staging and Choreography)
“I am regular reader of your paper. I am a new director in Nepal (Kollywood film industries.) Thank you very much for giving me very useful tips. Due to this, I can manage my tasks very easily. I’m so greatful to you.”Pradeep K. Bhatta, Nepal
2001
Issue 10 – January 31, 2001 (Convergence: The Reality)
Issue 11 – February 19, 2001 (The Commercial Director-1)
Issue 12 – March 19, 2001 (The Commercial Director-2)
Issue 13 – April 23, 2001 (Letter from Your Sound Department-1)
Issue 14 – May 21, 2001 (The Commercial Director-3)
Issue 15 – June 18, 2001 (Letter from Your Sound Department-2)
Issue 16 – July 23, 2001 (Letter from Your Sound Department-3
Issue 17 – August 20, 2001 (Directing Direct Response Television)
Issue 18 – October 22, 2001 (The Director’s Prep)
Issue 19 – November 17, 2001 (The Art of Directing)
No Issue 20
“I just wanted to let you know I find you’re ezine to be very helpful! I’m in the process of a film and have enjoyed the tips & info!” Morbid Trioxin – Louisville, Kentucky, USA
2002
Issue 21 – January 14, 2002 (Directing as a Helping Profession)
Issue 22 – February 25, 2002 (On Israeli Cinema)
Issue 23 – March 25, 2002 (Pre-Production Activities)
Issue 24 – April 29, 2002 (Directing 101)
Issue 25 – May 26, 2002 (21st Century Black America Filmmakers)
Issue 26 – June 28, 2002 (Working with Actors – Parts 1, 2)
Issue 27 – July 29, 2002 (Finding Work in the Film & TV Business)
Issue 28 – August 26, 2002 (A Series of Subscriber Articles)
Issue 29 – September 27, 2002 (Television vs Movies)
Issue 30 – October 31, 2002 (Movie Industry Analysis)
Issue 31 – November 30, 2002 (Making a Living in Video and Film)
No December Issue
“I’d like to say how much your publications have meant to me and how much I have learned from them and I have left more then one printed version with a few of my directors.” Greg Fawcett, Los Angeles, USA
2003
No January Issue
Issue 33 – February/March, 2003 (The Visual Style of John Woo)
No Issue 34
Issue 35 – May 26, 2003 (What is Your Goal?)
Issue 36 – June 27, 2003 (Buyers and Sellers)
Issue 37 – July 28, 2003 (Beginning the Deal)
No August Issue
Issue 38 – September 22, 2003 (Dreaming the Impossible Dream?)
Issue 39 – October 21, 2003 (What is a Director?)
Issue 40 – Nov. 22, 2003 (10 Tips to Market/Promote Your Film)
No December Issue
“I’ve been reading your articles since “Scene 1 Take 1″ in April 2000. They are a great help to all aspiring screenwriters and directors.” Leonid Bochkov, Moscow, Russia.
2004
Issue 41 – January 7, 2004 (55 Story Elements for Writing Romance)
Issue 42 – February 23, 2004 (A Short History of the Horror Film)
No March, April Issues
Issue 43 – May 11, 2004 (Working with Actors on the Set)
No June, July Issues
Issue 45 – August 30, 2004 (The Hollywood Pitch Festival)
Issue 46 – Sept. 28, 2004 (What to Avoid in Low Budget Scripts)
Issue 47 – October 18, 2004 (12 Biggest Mistakes Directors Make)
Issue 48 – Nov. 22, 2004 (Don’t Let Budget Choose Your Format -1)
Issue 49 – Dec. 26, 2004 (Don’t Let Budget Choose Your Format-2)
“Do keep up the good work in The Director’s Chair. Filmmakers all over the globe are benefiting from your insight and your generosity in sharing your knowledge including me – and I’ve been at it for thirty years!” James MacGregor www.movieScopemag.com
2005
Issue 50 – Jan. 18, 2005 (Don’t Let Budget Choose Your Format-3)
Issue 51 – February 21, 2005 (Finding the Right Agent)
Issue 52 – March 15, 2005 (Script Analysis Check List)
No April Issue
Issue 54 – May 30, 2005 (Finding a Film Job)
Issue 55 – June 30, 2005 (MAKING IT in Film Production!)
Issue 56 – July 29, 2005 (Introduction to “Directing the Money”)
Issue 57 – August 28, 2005 (Translating Ideas Into Money Talk)
Issue 58 – September 26, 2005 (Five Good Producer Skills)
Issue 59 – October 22, 2005 (Using Music Legally in Your Work)
Issue 60 – November 19, 2005 (What is a Pro?)
Issue 61 – December 22, 2005 (African Cinema – An Overview)
“Thank you for your ezine. It is a amazing resource!” James Sutherland, South Africa
2006
Issue 62 – January 15, 2006 (More About African Cinema)
Issue 63 – February 27, 2006 (Music Licensing)
Issue 64 – March 30, 2006 (Digital vs Film)
Issue 65 – April 28, 2006 (The Importance of Securing Chain of Title)
Issue 66 – May 16, 2006 (Protecting Your Pitches)
Issue 67 – June 20, 2006 (Producing Films for the Internet)
Issue 68 – July 18, 2006 (INDIE Film Financing)
Issue 69 – August 22, 2006 (DVD Replication for Dummies)
No September Issue
Issue 70 – October 10, 2006 (Good Inexpensive Production Music)
Issue 71 – November 15, 2006 (Make Your Movie Sound Real)
Issue 72 – December 28, 2006 (Film Making in Jordan)
“Thanks for the words. You ezine is great, I read about 8 of them in one sitting. It’s great what you are doing for us struggling filmmakers!” Robert E. Holley, Grave Shift Studios, Brooklyn, NY
2007
Issue 73 – January 25, 2007 (Breaking Free of Structure Paradigms)
Issue 74 – February 27, 2007 (A Sound Mixer: Notes for Directors)
No March, April Issues
Issue 75 – May 22, 2007 (How to Tell a Visual Story)
Issue 76 – June 19, 2007 (The Hero’s Journey-106 Stages)
Issue 77 – July 16, 2007 (Filming in the Philippines)
Issue 78 – August 13, 2007 (Art as Business or Hobby?)
Issue 79 – September 24, 2007 (What To Do Until Money Arrives)
Issue 80 – October 26, 2007 (Hollywood and the Case of Africa)
No November Issue
Issue 81 – December 9, 2007 (Location Scouting Tips)
“I must tell you that the Director’s Chair E-Zine has been my crash course indirecting and I am very grateful for the incredibly practical advice it contains!” Chisanga Kabinga, South Africa
2008
Issue 82 – January 20, 2008 (Using the Internet to Find Funding)
Issue 83 – Feb. 25, 2008 (Shooting Action on Shoestring Budgets)
Issue 84 – March 17, 2008 (Becoming a Director)
Issue 85 – April 25, 2008 (Cynthia Wade- Academy Award Winner)
Issue 86 – May 19, 2008 (How to Get into the Music Video Business)
Issue 87 – June 16, 2008 (It’s Not a Song Without the Music)
Issue 88 – July 25, 2008 (50 Things to Know About Film Production
Issue 89 – August 22, 2008 (Sam Heer: A Producer’s Perspective)
Issue 90 – September 26, 2008 (How to Find Buyers for Your Films)
Issue 91 – October 12, 2008 (The New Indie Filmmaking Arena)
Issue 92 – Nov. 24, 2008 (Entrepreneur Movie Director/Producer)
No Issue 93
“Thank you for your monthly teaching Ezine. I have been receiving it since I first started taking film classes at community college and then into University film school and now I will continue learning tips & pointers from them as I create movies in my career.” Joe Perez, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
2009
Issue 94 – Jan. 19, 2009 (How I Got That First Job in TV)
Issue 95 – Feb. 22, 2009 (Working with a Music Composer)
Issue 96 – March 25, 2009 (The Ten Commandments of Filmmaking)
No April Issue
Issue 97 – May 3, 2009 (Metamorphosis Filmmaker)
Issue 98 – June 22, 2009 (Prodding the Drunken Elephant)
No July Issue
Issue 99 – Aug. 20, 2009 (Make Your Short Film On a ZERO Budget)
Issue 100 – Sept. 22, 2009 (The Current Status of Visual Effects)
Issue 101 – Oct. 26, 2009 (An Austrian Filmmaker’s Journey)
Issue 102 – Nov. 22, 2009 (Film Festival Secrets)
Issue 103 – Dec. 15, 2009 (Best way to advance your film career)
“Just wanted to let you know, I’ve been reading some of your Director’s Chair issues – this is such a cool site, I’m proud to be listed in it. Keep it up and best regards.” Alain Bismut – Paris, France
2010
Issue 104 – Jan. 10, 2010 (Creating Creative Working Relationships)
Issue 105 – Feb. 9, 2010 (Collaboration: Less is not Always More)
No Issue 106 (March)
Issue 107 – April 24, 2010 (Florida Road – An Independent Film)
No May Issue
Issue 108 – June 17, 2010 (The 7-Step Film Directing Formula)
Issue 109 – July 26, 2010 (Role of Director During Preproduction)
Issue 110 – August 28, 2010 (The Director’s Creative Process)
Issue 111 – September 19, 2010 (Making Up the Director’s Mind)
Issue 112 – October 25, 2010 (Psychology of Movement)
Issue 113 – November 26, 2010 (Casting Guidelines for Directors)
No December Issue
“Peter, I can’t begin to thank you enough for your monthly Ezine! The content is so valuable I feel like I’m stealing free lessons. I’m constantly learning something each month, which allows me to grow as an independent filmmaker. I look forward to the next installment! ”
D. Miles, (Long Beach, USA)
2011
Issue 114 – January 19, 2011 (A Film Director’s Journey)
Issue 115 – Feb. 21, 2011 (Directing Tools – The Actors Language)
Issue 116 – March 25, 2011 (Indie Filmmakers-Business Plans)
Issue 117 – April 18, 2011 (Interview with a Screenwriter-Part 1)
Issue 118 – May 14, 2011 (Interview with a Screenwriter-Part 2)
Issue 119 – June 5, 2011 (3D Beyond the Cameras)
Issue 120 – July 17, 2011 (Interview: Actor/Director Trilby Jeeves-1)
Issue 121 – August 7, 2011 (The Art of Scene Transitions)
Issue 122 – Sept. 8, 2011 (Selling Your Film W/O Selling Your Soul)
Issue 123 – Oct. 12, 2011 (Interview: Actor/Director Trilby Jeeves-2)
No Issue 124 (November)
Issue 125 – December 12, 2011 (Directing the Audition)
“Just thought I’d tell you that I found this recent feature article of ‘The Director’s Chair’ to be very timely and helpful.” Deborah M. Benton, Youngstown, U.S.A.
2012
Issue 126 – January 15, 2012 (The First Script Read-Through)
Issue 127 – February 12, 2012 (Creating the Director’s Subworld)
Issue 128 – March 12, 2012 (Basic Film Blocking Techniques)
Issue 129 – April 21, 2012 (Don’t Give Up On Your Dreams)
Issue 130 – May 6, 2012 (10 Tricks and Traps of Producing)
Issue 131 – June 16, 2012 (Shedding the Stigma)
Issue 132 – July 22, 2012 (Personal Observations)
No Issue 133
Issue 134 – Sept. 19, 2012 (Mistakes First Time Directors Make)
No Issue 135
Issue 136 – November 15, 2012 (Truth, Justice and the Cinema!)
Issue 137 – Dec. 19, 2012 (Get Your Creative Project off the Ground)
“My name is Lee Sneddon and I recently joined your mailing list for the free e-zine ‘The Directors Chair’. I wanted to let you know that I am very happy with what I have received and to let you know you are doing a wonderful job with the site (Action-Cut-Print).” Lee Sneddon, Scotland
2013
Issue 138 – Jan. 16, 2013 (Creating a Lasting Career in the Movies)
Issue 139 – February 21, 2013 (The Working Film Director)
Issue 140 – March 18, 2013 (A Filmmaking Checklist)
Issue 141 – April 5, 2013 (The Actor/Director Dance)
Issue 142 – May 7, 2013 (Transitioning: Narrative to Documentary)
Issue 143 – June 4, 2013 (Why Music is Paramount for Filmmakers)
Issue 144 – July 2, 2013 (The 5 Groups of On-Camera Players)
No August Issue
Issue 145 – Sept. 14, 2013 (Creating Good Character Descriptions )
Issue 146 – October. 8, 2013 (Third World Entertainment)
Issue 147 – November. 5, 2013 (Film Industry Jobs)
Issue 148 – Dec. 10, 2013 (How Hitchcock can Save your Film)
“I may not fully participate and write back with every issue of The Director’s Chair you send, but I just want to say thanks and I appreciate the knowledge you push out to us. I’m all the way in Zimbabwe and The Director’s Chair is one of my essential reads for “My Film School.” Pfungwa Kizito Chimbetete, Director, Zimbabwe.
2014
Issue 149 – Jan. 7, 2014 (Push the Boundaries of Your Creativity)
Issue 150 – February 4, 2014 (How I Made My First Feature For 7k)
Issue 151 – Mar. 4, 2014 (Building Blocks of Drama)
Issue 152 – April 8, 2014 (7 Tips to Make a Living Filmmaking)
Issue 153 – May 6, 2014 (Connecting Your Audience’s Emotions)
Issue 154 – June 10, 2014 (What Makes Great Filmmakers Great?)
Issue 155 – July 15, 2014 (Indie Filmmaker Crowd Funding Tips)
Issue 156 – August 7, 2014 (Blocking and Rehearsing Actors on Set)
Issue 157 – Sept. 16, 2014 (Defining the Director/DOP Relationship)
Issue 158 – Oct. 14, 2014 (Differentiating Good From Bad Acting)
Issue 159 – November 6, 2014 (The Business of Film)
No December Issue
“I just wanted to drop a short note to say Thank You for the monthly e.mails. (The Director’s Chair) I really look forward to hearing from you. There’s so much helpful information that you send out (for free!). Kathy Gatlin, MUSE Productions International, USA
2015
No January Issue
Issue 160 – Feb. 11, 2015 (Videos from Established Directors)
Issue 161 – Mar. 10, 2015 (Do Good Stories Make Good Films?)
No Issue 162, 163
Issue 164 – June 9, 2015 (Auditions: Bottleneck of the Film Industry)
Issue 165 – July 4, 2015 (3 Qualities Directors Look for in Casting)
Issue 166 – August 12, 2015 (The Classic Three Act Structure)
Issue 167 – Sept. 13, 2015 (How to Work & Survive in the Business)
No October Issue
Issue 168 – November 15, 2015 (Filmmaking is an Artistic Lifestyle!)
No December Issue
“I’m just getting into the art of script writing and movie making at age 32 and I have found it very helpful going through the back issues of the ezine.” Rory Mcilvain, Turlock, CA USA
2016
Issue 169 – January 24, 2016 (4 Tips on Making A Short Film)
No February, March, April Issues
No Issue 170
Issue 171 – May 27, 2016 (Working with Actors: (Personality Traits)
No June – December Issues
“I did not want to pass up this opportunity to say thank you for all that you are doing with this e-zine. I really do appreciate the personal approach you take with it and the info and contacts and ideas contained within are priceless for someone who is starting out.” Angelique Richardson, Australia
2017
No January – April Issues
Issue 172 – May 20, 2017 (What is Expected of a Director?)
Issue 173 – June 17, 2017 (Director’s Preproduction Activities-Pt 1)
Issue 174 – July 16, 2017 (Director’s Preproduction Activities-Pt 2)
Issue 175 – August 20, 2017 (Story, Performance, Cinematics)
Issue 176 – September 18, 2017 (10 Commandments of Filmmaking)
Issue 177 – October 15, 2017 (The Director/First AD Relationship)
Issue 178 – Nov. 12, 2017 (From Story Script to Shooting Script)
Issue 179 – Dec. 11, 2017 (Shot Lists: Scene Order/Shooting Order)
“I am only 16 years old, and live in the UK, but have a keen interest in working with film. Your ezine looks brilliant, would love to recieve it! I plan to practice some of the tips you have mentioned, with my home video camera and a few friends. Thanks for the great insight!” Simon Russell, Southampton, England
2018
Issue 180 – January 7, 2018 (Understanding Human Behavior-Pt.1)
Issue 181 – February 9, 2018 (Understanding Human Behavior-Pt.2)
Issue 182 – March 4, 2018 (What Makes Good Story–Part 1)
Issue 183 – April 12, 2018 (What Makes Good Story–Part 2)
Issue 184 – May 19, 2018 (Drama & Conflict – Story & Plot)
Issue 185 – June 9, 2018 (Text, Subtext and Context)
Issue 186 – July 14, 2018 (The Classic 3 Act Story Structure)
Issue 187 – August 11, 2018 (The Director and the Story)
Issue 188 – September 18, 2018 (General Story Analysis)
Issue 189 – October 13, 2018 (Detailed Story Analysis)
Issue 190 – November 14, 2018 (Detailed Scene Analysis-Part 1)
Issue 191 – December 15, 2018 (Detailed Scene Analysis-Part 2)
“I am an Egyptian student at the American University in Cairo. I want to become a movie director. I minored in film, as we don’t have it as a major here. I just want to tell you that subscribing to your magazine is one of the best things that happened to me during my searching for film directing information and tips. You take care of minor things that make a big difference. It was quite useful for me. Thank you for having this magazine.” Taghrid Abdel-Maksoud, Cairo, Egypt
2019
Issue 191 – January 20, 2019 (Character Analysis-Part 1)
Issue 192 – February 10, 2019 (Character Analysis-Part 2)
Issue 194 – March 12, 2019 (Character Analysis-Part 3)
Issue 195 – April 7, 2019 (The 10 Step Scene Breakdown System)
Issue 196 – May 11, 2019 (The Director’s Visual Concept-Part 1)
Issue 197 – June 15, 2019 (The Director’s Visual Concept-Part 2)
Issue 198 – July 21, 2019 (The Director/Actor Relationship)
Issue 199 – August 24, 2019 (5 Groups of On-Camera Performers)
Issue 200 – Sept. 21, 2019 (12 Acting Words For Directors–Part 1)
No October Issue
Issue 201 – Nov. 20, 2019 (12 Acting Words For Directors–Part 2)
Issue 202 – December 15, 2019 (Motivation Determines Behavior)
“I continue to enjoy your excellent email newsletter. Thanks and keep delivering great quality my friend.” Nick Dunning, London, England
2020
Issue 203 – January 15, 2020 (Preparing for the Casting Session)
Issue 204 – Feb. 10, 2020 (“Targeted” Character Descriptions)
Issue 205 – March 15, 2020 (6 Stages of Casting Actors-Part 1)
Issue 206 – April 17, 2020 (6 Stages of Casting Actors-Part 2)
Issue 207 – May 16, 2020 (Top 3 Qualities to Look for in Casting)
Issue 208 – June 16, 2020 (“Magic Performance Moments”)
Issue 209 – July 13, 2020 (Choosing Actors for Acting Ability First)
Issue 210 – August 14, 2020 (Newton’s First Law of Motion)
Issue 211 – September 13, 2020 (Blocking for Story & Character)
Issue 212 – October 19, 2020 (The 5 Stages of Shooting a Scene )
Issue 213 – Nov. 15, 2020 (The Actor/Director Blocking Process)
Issue 214 – Dec. 21, 2020 (Know Your Scene Transitions)
2021
Issue 215 – January 16, 2021 (The Psychology of the Camera)
Issue 216 – February 19, 2021 (The Language of the Camera)
Issue 217 – March 20, 2021 (Composition, Depth, Rule of Thirds)
Issue 218 – April 18, 2021 (Camera Blocking Choices)
SUBSCRIBE NOW to the Introductory Issue: The Top 3 Qualities Directors Look for in Casting. “Because there is never enough time to work with actors in a casting session, along with the added pressure of producers and executives also making casting decisions, here are the top 3 qualities you look for in any actor when they audition.”
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